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.
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.
We’re thrilled to see groups are planning and booking trips for later this year and 2023, so now is a good time to start talking to us if you have an idea in mind!
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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 2022. 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
Browse a selection of our favourite excursions
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
- 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.
Discover more about this tour
Special Feature
There’s so much more to explore…

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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Do you DBS (formerly CRB) check your drivers?
As part of our coach audits, we request that all UK coach drivers are DBS checked by their employer prior to driving on one of our tours. We can request confirmation of your specific driver’s compliance if deemed necessary.
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Is all of your accommodation audited in advance?
Yes, all of our accommodation is audited prior to us offering it to a group. The criterion of these audits is governed by the School Travel Forum (STF). It is important to remember that each country is governed by their own standards and laws and these may differ from UK law. However, we require our accommodation to meet our standards as a minimum. We work with the hotels and agents to endeavour to ensure that our standards are met.
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What does our insurance cover us for?
Our insurance providers offer comprehensive cover to our groups for the duration of their tour and is tailored specifically for schools, with specialist insurance policies for individual tour types. As with any insurance cover, it is vital that you read through the terms and conditions and that you declare any relevant information as requested. Please see our insurance page for further information and to see what is covered. For groups opting to take their own insurance, we highly recommend that you read all inclusions and exclusions prior to departure.
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What safety support do you have in place for clients choosing to tour with you?
At Rayburn Tours we are proud of our continual commitment to safety. Clients who tour with us can be assured that we have the following support services and systems in place: Safety Management System, Generic Risk Management, Crisis Management System, ATOL Licensed, ABTA Bonded, insurance, 24-hour emergency contact system, hotel audits, coach audits and activity audits.
In addition, we are a member of the School Travel Forum (STF), giving you the reassurance that all of our trips meet, or indeed exceed, the safety standards required by your school and Local Authority.

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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