Belgium and Northern France

Ypres and The Somme

The battlefield sites are concentrated around the small town of Ypres in Belgium and the Somme area of Northern France. Many visitors use the word 'humbling' to describe their first visit to the Western Front. They are struck by the enormity of Britain's sacrifice in 'the war to end all wars' which is evident in the profusion of battlefield cemeteries. Subject these 'silent cities' to closer inspection and you will fully appreciate that they are not full of graves but of people. By examining individual suffering and loss, pupils gain a better empathy of war and its consequences.