School History Trips to Ypres
A town dedicated to the remembrance of the First World War
Ypres bears a heavy history that can be felt at every corner turned. From the Menin Gate, where the Last Post Ceremony takes place every evening, to the In Flanders Fields Museum and Hill 60, the memory of the First World War is woven into the patchwork of the town.
We’ll work closely with you to create an experience which not only addresses the individual accounts and battles, but also the wider themes and perspectives that students require to fully understand, analyse and reflect on the period.
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
Visit Hill 60 and Sanctuary Wood Museum (Hill 62)
Evening meal and Fun Files quiz
Day 2
Langemark Cemetery and Tyne Cot Cemetery
Visit In Flanders Field Museum and explore Ypres
Menin Gate & Last Post Ceremony participation
Day 3
Essex Farm Cemetery
Coach and Channel Crossing home
Arrive home
Based on 3 day, 2 night coach tour for 43 passengers (+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:
- Tyne Cot Cemetery
- Langemark Military Cemetery
- Menin Gate & Last Post Ceremony Participation
- Hill 60
- Essex Farm Cemetery
- In Flanders Field Museum
- Sanctuary Wood Museum (Hill 62)
Optional Extras
- Dedicated Tour Manager
- Hoodies and Polo Shirts
Excursions in Ypres
Browse a selection of our favourite excursions
Walibi Belgium
Aqualibi Belgium
Hill 60
Talbot House Museum
Bowling Olympia
Waterloo 1815
Neuve-Chapelle Memoria...
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 Ypres
- 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.
Discover more about this tour
Special Feature
Explore History Hub!
Full of inspiration, articles and FREE teaching resources. All content is FREELY available online.
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History Tour Guides
Here's why we recommend a History Tour Guide to enhance your School History Trip to Ypres.
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Because choice is what makes life interesting
The Western Front
Studying war and British society? Develop understanding of the impacts of war along the Western Front.
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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Is insurance included with my trip?
Yes, insurance will be included in your trip quotation as standard unless it is requested not to be. Make sure you check the list of inclusions in your quotation and/or confirmation.
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Are all of your coaches audited?
UK coaches: Yes, all of our UK coach companies are audited by our in-house team. Copies of which can be made available to you.
Foreign coaches: It is important to remember that each country is governed by their own standards and laws and these may differ from UK law. We request that an audit is completed by the foreign coach company which includes confirmation of the following: they will comply with all national, local and other laws, rules and codes of practice, and that all services contracted shall be performed with all due skill, care and diligence. The vehicle is fully insured for the duration of the tour.
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Does the accommodation centre have a room for study/a quiz/other evening activities?
Our accommodation centres are well-suited to groups and most have rooms available for use in the evenings. Please ask your Tour Co-ordinator and they will be happy to confirm this.
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What support do you have in place in the event of a crisis situation?
In the unlikely event that your group is involved in a crisis situation during your tour, you can be assured that Rayburn Tours have a Crisis Management System in place which is fully supported by ABTA, ATOL and Endsleigh Insurance Services Ltd.
In 2010 our robust crisis management system was successfully implemented following the Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption in Iceland and 290 passengers were quickly and efficiently repatriated – this gives you the reassurance that support is on-hand in exceptional circumstances. Download details of our Crisis Management System.
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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