WW1 Battlefields

Of course, in fact, that’s a great way to make the trip more personal for students and give the historical events they’re learning about more meaning.

We can include this in your itinerary, we just need plenty of notice and, of course, all the necessary info. We can even you out with the reasearch – many of the war grave agencies provide online access to their records, so this is usually the easiest place to start. Starting with a surname, you can often find the date of death, age, military service unit, next of kin and place of burial or memorial.

We can arrange for a WW1 specialist to guide your group, and we'll make sure they're fully aware of all your requirements, including your learning objectives. This is especially beneficial if this is your first time leading a tour to the WW1 battlefields (and it's a great option for more experienced group leaders too).

Yes, we can organise for your group to participate in the incredibly moving Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate, Ypres. The ceremony takes place every evening at 8pm to remember the lives lost during warfare.

Standing underneath the huge memorial, inscribed with the names of the missing soldiers of WW1, groups can lay a wreath during the service.

WW1 battlefields tours are suitable for all age groups, including primary, but are most popular with groups studying history at GCSE. The curriculum links are:

• Primary:
  • British history beyond 1066
• Key Stage 3:
  • Challenges for Europe & the wider world
• GCSE:
  • Developments in British warfare
  • Conflict and tension: WW1
  • History of medicine
  • Medicine in Britain
  • The Western Front
  • Life in Wartime Britain
• A-Level:
  • The changing nature of warfare
  • Life in the trenches
  • Developments in British warfare
  • Life in Wartime Britain

In both the Somme and the Belgian battlefields around Ypres, your students will be able to visit reconstructed trenches. They’ll also visit some of the region’s fantastic museums, where they’ll hear (and in some cases, immerse themselves in) the experiences of the soldiers serving in the trenches during WW1.

To make the journey worth it, you should aim to stay for a minimum of 2 days, but the majority of our groups tend to visit for 3 or 4 days. You’ll need at least 4 days if you want to visit the area around Ypres and the Somme.

School groups can (and do) visit the WW1 battlefields all year round. It is worth bearing in mind, though, that the museums in and around Ypres are generally closed in January, reopening in early February.

It can get quite muddy out there, particularly in autumn and winter, so pack suitable clothing. And sensible shoes are a must, particularly if you’re intending to explore trenches and dugouts.

For groups based around Ypres, the Hotel Menin Gate is one of the most popular accommodation options among our groups. This hotel is all about location, location, location – as the name suggests, it’s right next to the Menin Gate and within just a couple of minutes’ walk of the centre of Ypres. The hotel is basic but comfortable and offers all the facilities that school groups require. 

For groups focusing on the Somme, the usual base of choice is the town of Albert, as it’s so central. The most popular accommodation here is Poppies d’Albert, which is an accommodation centre that’s been purpose-built for school groups.