School History Trips to The Western Front
Where First World War history comes to life
For four years the Western Front was the destination of mud, blood and fighting. Now, for 100 years it has been the destination of learning, understanding and remembrance. School history trips to the Western Front present a memorable and unique learning experience for students.
A journey into the area brings home the reality of the conflict, taking you through a landscape of cemeteries and memorials – from the large and imposing areas dedicated to tens of thousands of servicemen and women, to the smaller and more personal areas erected to individual soldiers and regiments. Walk through reconstructed trenches, stand on the very ground that men fought and died for and understand the world of those who lived through the conflict.
Groups are enquiring in big numbers for school trips to the WWI Battlefields, so now is a good time to start talking to us if you have an idea in mind! We are experts in planning fully tailored itineraries for school trips to the Western Front…
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Our Recommended Itinerary
Here’s what your trip could look like
Day 1
Meet History Tour Guide. Coach and Channel Crossing to Ypres
In Flanders Field Museum
Menin Gate & Last Post Ceremony participation
Day 2
Hooge Crater Museum and Sanctuary Wood Museum (Hill 62)
Langemark Military Ceremony and Essex Farm Cemetery
Evening meal and Fun Files activity
Day 3
Musee des Abris (Somme 1916) and Lochnagar Crater
Thiepval Memorial, Newfoundland Memorial Park and Vimy Ridge
Coach and Channel Crossing home
Based on 3 day, 2 night coach tour for 44 members (+4 free places) travelling October 2023. Includes History Guide. Subject to availability.
- History Tour Guide
- Coaching for the duration of your tour
- Full board accommodation
- Travel insurance
- Free staff place ratio 1:10
- 24/7 support
- Vamoos travel app & info pack
- Tailor-made itinerary
- Motorway tolls and taxes
- VAT
- Excursions:
- In Flanders Field Museum
- Menin Gate & Last Post Ceremony Participation
- Hooge Crater Museum
- Tyne Cot Cemetery
- Langemark Military Cemetery
- Essex Farm Cemetery
- Musee des Abris (Somme 1916
- Lochnagar Crater
- Thiepval Memorial
- Newfoundland Memorial Park
- Vimy Ridge
- Sanctuary Wood Museum (Hill 62)
Optional Extras
- Dedicated Tour Manager
- Hoodies and Polo Shirts
Excursions in The Western Front
What to expect on School History Trips to The Western Front
Neuve-Chapelle Memoria...
Ulster Tower, The Somme
Memorial ’14-18 (Notre...
Delville Wood Memorial...
The Wellington Quarry,...
Vimy Ridge, The Somme
Newfoundland Memorial ...
Thiepval Memorial, The...
Lochnagar Crater, The ...
Bayernwald Trenches, Y...
Lijssenthoek Military ...
Memorial Museum Passch...
Sanctuary Wood Museum ...
Essex Farm Cemetery, Y...
Langemark Military Cem...
Tyne Cot Cemetery, Ypres
Hooge Crater Museum, Y...
Menin Gate and Last Po...
In Flanders Field Muse...
Alternative Itineraries
Expertly tailored to the curriculum
WWI Medicine & Surgery
View our specialist itinerary that focuses on this specific area of the curriculum.
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How WWI Changed Literature
View our specialist itinerary that focuses on this specific area of the curriculum.
Discover moreAccommodation
Popular places to stay in The Western Front
- Located a short distance from Ypres Market Square
- Adjoining properties that can be used as single units for small groups or both for large groups
- Sole occupancy available (minimum 40 guests)
- Games room
- Wi-Fi
- Customer Feedback: "This place is perfect for a school groups and offers good value for money!" Southfields Academy
- Large breakfast and evening rooms (capacity 135)
- Games room with pool table, table football and pinball machines
- 2 computers with free internet access
- Private courtyard
- Wi-Fi
- Use the large breakfast room for an evening activity
- Play a game of pool or pinball in the games room
- Make use of the computers
- Relax outside in the private courtyard
- Explore Ypres Market Square on foot
- Located on the doorstep of the Menin Gate Memorial
- Sole occupancy available (subject to availability)
- Multi, quad, triple, twin and single bed rooms
- En-suite facilities
- Table tennis and pool table
- Wi-Fi
- Table tennis and pool table
- 2 computers with free internet access
- Teachers’ lounge with cable TV and minibar
- Projector and screen available on request
- Wi-Fi
- Play a game of table tennis or pool
- Make use of the computers
- Arrange a study evening using the projector and screen
- Relax in the teachers’ lounge
Curriculum Information
All secondary school students
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Curricular Links
- Life on the frontline
- Trenches and trench life
- Command and leadership
- War and technology
- Women – their role and the impact of war on their lives
- Medicine and medical advancement
- The Home Front
- The role of the Commonwealth and Empire troops
- Writers and poets
- Conflict and warfare over time
Additional Information
Your journey doesn’t have to end here! See what else we can offer to help you get the most out of your tour. From expert History Tour Guides to dedicated Tour Managers, we’ll go above and beyond to support you and your students.
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Special Feature
There’s so much more to explore…
Explore History Hub!
Full of inspiration, articles and FREE teaching resources. All content is FREELY available online.
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WW1 History Trips to the Western Front
The Western Front was a stretch of land over 400 miles long that left a scar across France…
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History Tour Guides
Here's why we recommend a History Tour Guide to enhance your School History Trip to the Western Front.
Discover moreOther Destinations
Because choice is what makes life interesting
Ypres
Discussing women, their role and the impact of war on their lives? Explore this theme in Ypres.
The Somme
Exploring medicine, medical advancement or the role of the Commonwealth? Develop understanding of these concepts in the Somme.
London
Focusing more on Monarchy and Democracy in Britain? Explore long periods of British history in London.
What our customers say
FAQs about this tour
Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
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What duration would you recommend for a school history trip to the Battlefields?
A 4 day, 3 night tour allows you sufficient time to explore the sites found in Ypres and the Somme – but a trip can be planned in a day!
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Would you recommend a History Tour Guide on this trip?
Absolutely, our Guides have huge in depth knowledge of the sites and their history. They bring history to life for students in a whole new way.
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Is there a good selection of accommodation available in the area, that caters well for school groups?
Ypres is renowned for being a well visited area by school groups and for that reason there is a great selection of accommodation centres and youth hostels, just perfect for schools.
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Are students able to visit the cemeteries and graves of family members who may have fought and lost their lives here?
This is one thing that our History Tour Guides take great pride in facilitating. If a school knows of any families within their school with particular links to a cemetery, they will make it possible for the relevant students to visit their families graves. This can be an extremely poignant moment on tour.
Travel in safe hands
Your safety is of the utmost importance to us and we monitor the safety aspects of all of our tours to ensure you have a memorable experience for all the right reasons.
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