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The Somme
 
The Somme
 
 
Educational trips to the Ypres and Somme areas of Belgium and France respectively have, for some years now, played an important part in the teaching of First World War history.
 
 


Our tours to Mainland Europe travel on the superb P&O Cruiseferries from Hull to either Zeebrugge or Europoort (Rotterdam). These overnight crossings enable us to avoid night-time driving. All trips include cabins with private facilities, dinner and breakfast.

 
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ATTRACTIONS
 

01 Albert
With the famous Basilica topped by the “Golden Virgin”.

02 Beaumont Hamel
Newfoundland memorial park and untouched battlefield site.

03 Delville Wood
Commemorative Museum, South African Valierial War Memorial in memory of South African volunteers who died in the two world wars and in Korea.

04 Essex Farm
www.firstworldwar.com
Cemetery and dugouts - the source of the Poppy legend now associated with “Remembrance”.

05 Guillemont
Celtic Memorial Cross to 16th (Irish) Diossion which included a northern brigade.

06 Hellfire Corner
www.firstworldwar.com
The Menin Road.

07 In Flanders Fields Museum
www.inflandersfields.be
Here the emphasis is placed on the experiences of people - the soldiers, nurses, refugees and children who experienced the war “around Ypres all fields are battlefields” - many are now graveyards.

08 Langmarc
German Military Cemetery sheltered behind oak trees with a huge mass grave in the centre.

09 Last Post Ceremony
This is held at the Menin Gate every night at 8.00pm.

10 Lochnagar
Mine crater near Borselle.

 

11 Menin Gate
www.firstworldwar.com
Built in 1927 as a memorial to the soldiers who died defending the town between 1914 and 1918.

12 Messines Ridge
www.firstworldwar.com
To the south of Ypres - strategic high ground.

13 Parc Asterix
www.parcasterix.fr
French theme park based on the legend of Asterix the gall on the northern side of Paris.

14 Passchendale
www.firstworldwar.com
“Battle of the Mud”.

15 Peronne
Historial de la Grande Guene - one of the largest 1st World War museums to the south of Arras.

16 Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62)
www.firstworldwar.com
A portion of the front line and support trenches has been preserved - this was a gathering point for soldiers cut off from their units.

17 Thiepval - Ulster Memorial Tower & Visitors Centre
Memorial to the missing, including 3 Ulster Divisions VC.

18 Tyne Cot Cemetery
www.firstworldwar.com
11,908 graves and a memorial with 35,000 names of soldiers with no known graves - erected after the Menin Gate as they could not fit all the names on that monument.

19 Vimy Ridge & Tunnels
Canadian Memorial to the north of Arras with reconstructed Allied and German front lines.

 
   
   
 
  Suggested Itnerary
 


Day 1
Coach pick-up at school
Stena HSS to Stranraer
Coach to Hull
Overnight P&O Cruiseferry
to Zeebrugge

Day 2
18 Tyne Cot Cemetary
08 Langmarc
04 Essex Farm
Zonnebeke & Streekmuseum
16 Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62)
11 Menin Gate (The Last Post)
Arrival at hotel

Day 3
19 Vimy Ridge & Tunnels
Arras
1916 Museum
17 Thiepval Woods
Beaumont - Hamel

Day 4
13 Parc Asterix

Day 5
07 In Flanders Fields Museum
City of Brugge
Overnight P&O Cruiseferry
to Hull

Day 6
Coach to Stranraer
Stena HSS to Belfast
Coach return to school

  Accomodation
 


Altia Hotel Lille Tourcoing
***
t 00 333 2028 8803
Situated within its own gardens this 3 star hotel has 108 bedrooms, an outdoor pool and a playground.

 

  Price
  £369 (6 days)
• based on 44 children under 16
• includes 5 free teacher places