World War One
Ypres Salient Battlefield and Passchendaele Battlefield Tour
- 4 Days / 3 Nights B&B
Suggested 2 / 3* Hotel in the Ypres area
Overview
This is an excellent tour packed with visits to battlefields, museums, memorials and cemeteries. This Ypres Battlefield Tour covers elements of the 1st Battle of Ypres, 2nd Battle of Ypres and the 3rd Battles of Ypres including Passchendaele.
Be prepared to be out and about all day exploring and visiting some amazing places.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 - Travel from the UK on the Euro-Tunnel Le Shuttle to Calais then onward to the Battlefields.
En-route to our hotel in the Ypres area we stop at the Lijssenthoek CWGC (DL1 = Difficulty Level 1, please see the Health and Well being section on the T&C's page where Difficulty Levels are explained) where your guide will explain the history behind the Commonwealth War Graves Commission the architecture and layout of the CWGC Cemeteries and explain how to find a casualty in a cemetery. He will then lead you through the cemetery pointing out some of the people buried there, including Frederick Tubb VC and Staff Nurse Nellie Spindler, one of the few women killed by enemy fire. Your guide will then guide you to the Lijssenthoek visitor centre (DL1) where there is an excellent display of how the area was in WWI and it's use as a Casualty Clearing station. (toilets at the visitor centre). Moving on from Lijssenthoek. We visit the town of Poperinghe, known to the Tommy as 'Pops', this was a rear rest area during WW1. During our visit we will visit the Talbot House, a place of rest during the conflict, we will also visit the execution cells, where your guide will provide a narrative on those shot at dawn under the Army Act during WWI. We then make our way to our hotel in the Ypres area and check in. That evening we will visit the Menin Gate where we watch the Menin Gate last post ceremony (DL1). Wreath laying is encouraged and can be arranged.
Day 2 - After Breakfast we make our way back to the Menin Gate where your guide will brief you on the construction, design and meaning of the memorial to the missing and names thereon (DL1). We then walk up on to the town ramparts to see the WWI Indian Army and the Gurkha memorial. From there we walk along the old ramparts to the Ramparts CWGC the only War Graves Cemetery within the town wall of Ypres (DL1), a short visit to the St Georges Chapel, then a stop for refreshments in a cafe. We then travel to Gheluvelt village (DL1). This village was on the edge of the Ypres Salient at the start of WWI, there we discuss the desperate action which took place in 1914 and remember the bravery and sacrifice of the 1st South Wales Borderers and the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regt. From Gheluvelt we move to Black Watch Corner (DL1) where we pause at the Black Watch Memorial and discuss the action which took place at that location during the 1st Battle of Ypres in 1914. From Black Watch Corner we jump to the 3rd battle of Ypres in 1917 with a visit to the New Buttes Cemetery in Polygon Wood, there we visit the 5th Australian Division memorial and the New Zealand memorial to the missing (DL1). From Polygon Wood we travel to Sanctuary Wood for a visit to the Allied front line trenches DL2), (toilets available at the cafe). We then return to the hotel for time to relax before either joining your guide for dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in Ypres or if you would prefer you can have private time to explore Ypres.
Day 3 - After Breakfast we travel to the Essex Farm Advanced Dressing Station and the nearby CWG Cemetery (DL1) where John MaCrae served, he wrote the famous poem ''In Flanders Fields''. From Essex Farm we travel to the Brooding Soldier memorial at St Julien (DL1). This area was known as Vancouver Corner corner in WWI, where in 1915 during the 2nd Battle of Ypres, the Canadian Infantry stemmed the German Infantry onslaught after the first use of Gas. From Vancouver Corner we move to the German Cemetery at Langemark (DL1) to see how the German casualties are remembered. From Langemark we travel to the Tyne Cott CWGC Cemetery (DL1) This is the largest Commonwealth Military Cemetery in the world with 11,965 burials, of which 8369 are unnamed. There is also the Tyne Cott memorial to the missing with the names of 34,887 United Kingdom and New Zealand forces who died in the Ypres sector after the 16th August 1917 and who have no known grave. (toilets available at this location), there we discuss the battle for Passchendaele in 1917 as part of the 3rd Battle of Ypres. From the Tyne Cott CWGC we visit the Canadian memorial at Crest Farm (DL1) in Passchendaele village. Finally for today we finish at the Passchendaele museum at Zonnebeke (DL1) (toilets and cafe available at this location). We then return to the hotel for time to relax before either joining your guide for dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in Ypres or if you would prefer you can have private time to explore Ypres.
Day 4 - After Breakfast we check out of the hotel and spend an hour or so buying souvenirs and chocolate in Ypres then after a coffee and cake break we move to Hill 60 (DL2) where we explore this part of the Ypres battlefield, examining the underground war of the tunnelers and miners, around Hill 60. We also visit Caterpillar Crater (DL2) to see the effect of a mine which was blown under the German lines. We then start our journey back to Calais, stopping at Brandhoek CWGC Cemetery (DL1) where you will be guided to the resting place of Captain Noel Chevase the only winner of two VC's in WWI. From Brandhoek we drive to the Tunnel at Calais for our journey home.
Please note - The above is only a suggested Itinerary which can be adjusted to incorporate a visit to a specific cemetery or memorial.
Suggested Accommodation -
For Cadet Forces the ideal accommodation is at the Menin Gate Hostel
For Adult Groups there are a few hotels to consider -
The Hotel Kasteelhof't Hooghe
Novotel Ypres
Flanders Lodge Best Western Hotel Ypres
Hotel Ariane Ypres
This is an excellent tour packed with visits to battlefields, museums, memorials and cemeteries. This Ypres Battlefield Tour covers elements of the 1st Battle of Ypres, 2nd Battle of Ypres and the 3rd Battles of Ypres including Passchendaele.
Be prepared to be out and about all day exploring and visiting some amazing places.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 - Travel from the UK on the Euro-Tunnel Le Shuttle to Calais then onward to the Battlefields.
En-route to our hotel in the Ypres area we stop at the Lijssenthoek CWGC (DL1 = Difficulty Level 1, please see the Health and Well being section on the T&C's page where Difficulty Levels are explained) where your guide will explain the history behind the Commonwealth War Graves Commission the architecture and layout of the CWGC Cemeteries and explain how to find a casualty in a cemetery. He will then lead you through the cemetery pointing out some of the people buried there, including Frederick Tubb VC and Staff Nurse Nellie Spindler, one of the few women killed by enemy fire. Your guide will then guide you to the Lijssenthoek visitor centre (DL1) where there is an excellent display of how the area was in WWI and it's use as a Casualty Clearing station. (toilets at the visitor centre). Moving on from Lijssenthoek. We visit the town of Poperinghe, known to the Tommy as 'Pops', this was a rear rest area during WW1. During our visit we will visit the Talbot House, a place of rest during the conflict, we will also visit the execution cells, where your guide will provide a narrative on those shot at dawn under the Army Act during WWI. We then make our way to our hotel in the Ypres area and check in. That evening we will visit the Menin Gate where we watch the Menin Gate last post ceremony (DL1). Wreath laying is encouraged and can be arranged.
Day 2 - After Breakfast we make our way back to the Menin Gate where your guide will brief you on the construction, design and meaning of the memorial to the missing and names thereon (DL1). We then walk up on to the town ramparts to see the WWI Indian Army and the Gurkha memorial. From there we walk along the old ramparts to the Ramparts CWGC the only War Graves Cemetery within the town wall of Ypres (DL1), a short visit to the St Georges Chapel, then a stop for refreshments in a cafe. We then travel to Gheluvelt village (DL1). This village was on the edge of the Ypres Salient at the start of WWI, there we discuss the desperate action which took place in 1914 and remember the bravery and sacrifice of the 1st South Wales Borderers and the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regt. From Gheluvelt we move to Black Watch Corner (DL1) where we pause at the Black Watch Memorial and discuss the action which took place at that location during the 1st Battle of Ypres in 1914. From Black Watch Corner we jump to the 3rd battle of Ypres in 1917 with a visit to the New Buttes Cemetery in Polygon Wood, there we visit the 5th Australian Division memorial and the New Zealand memorial to the missing (DL1). From Polygon Wood we travel to Sanctuary Wood for a visit to the Allied front line trenches DL2), (toilets available at the cafe). We then return to the hotel for time to relax before either joining your guide for dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in Ypres or if you would prefer you can have private time to explore Ypres.
Day 3 - After Breakfast we travel to the Essex Farm Advanced Dressing Station and the nearby CWG Cemetery (DL1) where John MaCrae served, he wrote the famous poem ''In Flanders Fields''. From Essex Farm we travel to the Brooding Soldier memorial at St Julien (DL1). This area was known as Vancouver Corner corner in WWI, where in 1915 during the 2nd Battle of Ypres, the Canadian Infantry stemmed the German Infantry onslaught after the first use of Gas. From Vancouver Corner we move to the German Cemetery at Langemark (DL1) to see how the German casualties are remembered. From Langemark we travel to the Tyne Cott CWGC Cemetery (DL1) This is the largest Commonwealth Military Cemetery in the world with 11,965 burials, of which 8369 are unnamed. There is also the Tyne Cott memorial to the missing with the names of 34,887 United Kingdom and New Zealand forces who died in the Ypres sector after the 16th August 1917 and who have no known grave. (toilets available at this location), there we discuss the battle for Passchendaele in 1917 as part of the 3rd Battle of Ypres. From the Tyne Cott CWGC we visit the Canadian memorial at Crest Farm (DL1) in Passchendaele village. Finally for today we finish at the Passchendaele museum at Zonnebeke (DL1) (toilets and cafe available at this location). We then return to the hotel for time to relax before either joining your guide for dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in Ypres or if you would prefer you can have private time to explore Ypres.
Day 4 - After Breakfast we check out of the hotel and spend an hour or so buying souvenirs and chocolate in Ypres then after a coffee and cake break we move to Hill 60 (DL2) where we explore this part of the Ypres battlefield, examining the underground war of the tunnelers and miners, around Hill 60. We also visit Caterpillar Crater (DL2) to see the effect of a mine which was blown under the German lines. We then start our journey back to Calais, stopping at Brandhoek CWGC Cemetery (DL1) where you will be guided to the resting place of Captain Noel Chevase the only winner of two VC's in WWI. From Brandhoek we drive to the Tunnel at Calais for our journey home.
Please note - The above is only a suggested Itinerary which can be adjusted to incorporate a visit to a specific cemetery or memorial.
Suggested Accommodation -
For Cadet Forces the ideal accommodation is at the Menin Gate Hostel
For Adult Groups there are a few hotels to consider -
The Hotel Kasteelhof't Hooghe
Novotel Ypres
Flanders Lodge Best Western Hotel Ypres
Hotel Ariane Ypres
World War One
The Somme Battlefield Tour of the 1st July 1916 -
4 Day / 3 Nights B&B
Suggested 2 / 3* Hotel / Gites in the Arras / Somme Area
Overview
The Battle of the Somme in WWI was one of the most costly in lives for both the Allies and the German Army. This Somme Battlefield tour takes you onto to the battlefield, visiting many memorials and cemeteries following the routes of many of the Units and Divisions on the 1st day of the Somme battle in 1916.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 - An early departure from the UK - We travel from the UK on the Euro-Tunnel Le Shuttle to France then onward to the Battlefields.
On arrival in the Arras area we will go directly to the Arras Allied Air Services memorial and CWGC Cemetery (DL1) (DL1 = Difficulty Level 1, please see the Health and Well being section on the T&C's page where Difficulty Levels are explained). Here your guide will explain the history behind the Commonwealth War Graves Commission the architecture and layout of the CWGC Cemeteries and explain how to find a casualty in a cemetery. He will then lead you through the cemetery pointing out some of the names on the Allied Air Services Memorial to the missing and brief you on Major Mick Mannock V.C.
We will then transit to the B&B or hotel and book in.
There is now time to relax before either joining your guide for dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in Arras, Pozieres or Albert or if you would prefer you can have private time to explore yourself.
Day 2 - After Breakfast we travel to the village of Serre, the scene of bitter fighting for the 31st Division and the Pals Battalions on July 1st 1916, the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. We walk to the Pals memorial in the Sheffield Memorial Park and visit Railway Hollow CWG Cemetery (DL2) (this location is quite remote and there are no toilets). Then a short stop at Serre Road No 2 CWG Cemetery, the largest CWGC on the Somme, to pay respects to the fallen. From Serre we travel to the Sunken Lane at Beaumont Hamel (DL2) to look at the Lancashire Fusiliers attack on the 1st of July 1916. We also look at the blowing of the Hawthorn Mine on a major Redoubt at that location, (made famous by the Geofrey Malins film footage of the blowing of the mine at that location at 07.20 on the 1st July 1916), we also discuss the implications of the mine explosion on the whole battle. A short stop for lunch, then we move on to Newfoundland Park to view the battlefield as it has been left since the battle. Here your guide will take you through the battle on the 1st July 1916 with focus on the actions of the 29th Division. You will also have time to explore the battlefield finishing off at the Newfoundland Park visitor centre (DL2) (toilets available at this location).
We will then return to our hotel or B&B for time to relax before joining your guide for dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in the area or if you would prefer you can have private time to explore yourself.
Day 3 - After Breakfast we travel Montauban where on the 1st of July 1916 the British 18th (Eastern) Division and the 30th Division of XIII Corps advanced to battle, arm in arm with their French counterparts of the 39th 'Iron Corps' Division. Moving on to Mametz and firstly Danzig Alley CWGC to trace the furthest advance of the British 7th Division, then on to the CWGC Devonshire Cemetery. Moving to Fricourt we visit the Fricourt area to discover how the 21st Division of XV Corp attacked the village (DL1). A short visit then to the German cemetery at Fricourt to pay respects (DL1). We then travel to the town of Albert for a lunch break and a visit to the Albert WWI museum. After lunch and the museum visit we travel to La Boiselle to visit the mighty Lochnagar Crater (DL1). This was an underground mine set by the allies to be blown at the beginning of the Battle of the Somme.
We will then return to the hotel or B&B and relax before either joining your guide for dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in the area or if you would prefer you can have private time to explore.
Day 4 - After Breakfast we transit to the Ulster Tower. Here we discuss the 36th Ulster Division's brave fight in that sector of the battlefield and also the Schwaben Redoubt on the 1st July 1916. We then take the short walk to Mill road CWG Cemetery (DL2) to pay respects, returning to the Ulster Tower cafe, where we can stop for refreshments. From Ulster Tower we move up to the Impressive Thiepval Memorial (DL1) were the names of over 72,000 missing in action are recorded, there will also be a visit to the Thiepval visitors centre (toilets available at this location) and a visit to the new Thiepval Museum. From there we transit to the village of Pozieres, where we visit the site of the 1st Australian Division memorial and Gibraltar bunker, we briefly stop at Pozieres CWG Cemetery before moving on to the Pozieres Tank memorial.
We then head to Calais for our journey home.
Please note - The above is only a suggested Itinerary
With this tour, you should be prepared to be out on the battlefields all day.
Suggested Accommodation
For groups of up to 12 people the ideal battlefield accommodation is the very friendly Battery Valley Farm B&B near Grandcourt
For Larger Groups, here are a few hotels to consider
Hotel Mercure Arras Centre Gare
Ibis Albert, Pay de la Somme Hotel
World War One
The Battle of Cambrai 1917 - 3 Day / 2 Nights B&B
Suggested 2 /3* Hotel in the Arras Area
Overview
This rarely visited but very important battlefield is really worth the effort. The smashing of the Hindenburg line in those first few days of the Battle in 1917 is expanded upon as we follow the actions of the 62nd West Riding Division and the 51st Highland Division.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 - Travel from the UK on the Euro-Tunnel Le Shuttle to Calais then onward to Arras.
On arrival in Arras we will book into our hotel, then take the short drive to the Arras Allied Air Services memorial and CWGC Cemetery (DL1) (DL1 = Difficulty Level 1, please see the Health and Well being section on the T&C's page where Difficulty Levels are explained), where your guide will explain the history behind the Commonwealth War Graves Commission the architecture and layout of the CWGC Cemeteries and explain how to find a casualty in a cemetery. He will then lead you through the cemetery pointing out some of the names on the Allied Air Services Memorial (DL1) to the missing and brief you on Major Mick Mannock V.C. We then drive back through the town to the hotel. Then some time to relax before either joining your guide for dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in Arras or if you would prefer you can have private time to explore Arras
Day 2 - After Breakfast we journey the short distance to Havrincourt. At Havrincourt we view the Havrincourt Chateau and visit the 62nd West Riding Division memorial, then a short walk to the Grand Ravine CWG Cemetery and the ridge line above (DL2) where your guide will explain the battle and orientate you to the battlefield. For this tour we follow the 62nd West Riding Division and the 51st Highland Division through the battle. From Havrincourt we travel to the New Zealanders bridge over the Canal du Nord and then to Sanders Keep CWG Cemetery. From there and after a break for lunch, we move to the village of Flesquieres where the 51st Highland Division advanced with Tanks. We visit the Tank Memorial and the Flesquieres CWG Cemetery. There is a British Tank Mk IV D51 called Debhorah which was knocked out during the fighting for Flesquieres. Until recently she was housed in a barn in the village, she has been given a new home next to the Flesquieres CWG Cemetery where some of her crew are buried. We then drive the route from Flesquieres towards the village of Fontaine Notre Dame the objective for the 51st Highland Division. We then return to our hotel in Arras to relax before either joining your guide for dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in Arras or if you would prefer you can have private time to explore.
Day 3 - After Breakfast we check out of our hotel and journey to rejoin the 62nd West Riding Division advance during the opening stages of the battle of Cambrai, we start at Lock 7 over the Canal du Nord then make our way to Graincourt stopping at significant locations through the battle. We end up at Anneux in the lee of Bourlon Wood where we discuss the closing stages of the battle and the effects of the German counter-attack. We then visit the Canadian memorial of 1918 in Bourlon Village and discuss the final battles of WWI in this area. From Bourlon we visit the Louverval CWG Cemetery and memorial to the missing from the Battle of Cambrai (DL1). We also pay respects at the Vis en Artois CWG Cemetery where the fallen from the later battles of 1918 are remembered (DL1). We then turn for home and make our way to Calais for the journey home.
A fantastic tour to a rarely visited battlefield.
With this tour, you should be prepared to be out on the battlefields all day.
Suggested Accommodation -
Hotel Mercure Arras Centre Gare
Overview
This rarely visited but very important battlefield is really worth the effort. The smashing of the Hindenburg line in those first few days of the Battle in 1917 is expanded upon as we follow the actions of the 62nd West Riding Division and the 51st Highland Division.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 - Travel from the UK on the Euro-Tunnel Le Shuttle to Calais then onward to Arras.
On arrival in Arras we will book into our hotel, then take the short drive to the Arras Allied Air Services memorial and CWGC Cemetery (DL1) (DL1 = Difficulty Level 1, please see the Health and Well being section on the T&C's page where Difficulty Levels are explained), where your guide will explain the history behind the Commonwealth War Graves Commission the architecture and layout of the CWGC Cemeteries and explain how to find a casualty in a cemetery. He will then lead you through the cemetery pointing out some of the names on the Allied Air Services Memorial (DL1) to the missing and brief you on Major Mick Mannock V.C. We then drive back through the town to the hotel. Then some time to relax before either joining your guide for dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in Arras or if you would prefer you can have private time to explore Arras
Day 2 - After Breakfast we journey the short distance to Havrincourt. At Havrincourt we view the Havrincourt Chateau and visit the 62nd West Riding Division memorial, then a short walk to the Grand Ravine CWG Cemetery and the ridge line above (DL2) where your guide will explain the battle and orientate you to the battlefield. For this tour we follow the 62nd West Riding Division and the 51st Highland Division through the battle. From Havrincourt we travel to the New Zealanders bridge over the Canal du Nord and then to Sanders Keep CWG Cemetery. From there and after a break for lunch, we move to the village of Flesquieres where the 51st Highland Division advanced with Tanks. We visit the Tank Memorial and the Flesquieres CWG Cemetery. There is a British Tank Mk IV D51 called Debhorah which was knocked out during the fighting for Flesquieres. Until recently she was housed in a barn in the village, she has been given a new home next to the Flesquieres CWG Cemetery where some of her crew are buried. We then drive the route from Flesquieres towards the village of Fontaine Notre Dame the objective for the 51st Highland Division. We then return to our hotel in Arras to relax before either joining your guide for dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in Arras or if you would prefer you can have private time to explore.
Day 3 - After Breakfast we check out of our hotel and journey to rejoin the 62nd West Riding Division advance during the opening stages of the battle of Cambrai, we start at Lock 7 over the Canal du Nord then make our way to Graincourt stopping at significant locations through the battle. We end up at Anneux in the lee of Bourlon Wood where we discuss the closing stages of the battle and the effects of the German counter-attack. We then visit the Canadian memorial of 1918 in Bourlon Village and discuss the final battles of WWI in this area. From Bourlon we visit the Louverval CWG Cemetery and memorial to the missing from the Battle of Cambrai (DL1). We also pay respects at the Vis en Artois CWG Cemetery where the fallen from the later battles of 1918 are remembered (DL1). We then turn for home and make our way to Calais for the journey home.
A fantastic tour to a rarely visited battlefield.
With this tour, you should be prepared to be out on the battlefields all day.
Suggested Accommodation -
Hotel Mercure Arras Centre Gare
