The extensive Somme area is full of place names which are famous round the world: Vimy, Albert, Lochnagar Crater, Peronne.   A Somme visit makes a poignant yet exciting study tour. 

Modern interactive exhibitions help pupils learn what happened, and you can explain to your pupils why the Vimy tunnels and Thiepval Memorial have such a revered place in our history.  You can balance your programme with sightseeing and cultural experiences in the lovely town of Arras.

Include a stop-over on Boulogne’s coast to add supplementary activities such as a chocolate-maker visit and a tour of Nausicaa national sealife centre.  Or why not link your Somme visit with a stay in Lille, Rouen or Paris?

ACCOMMODATION

Poppies d’Albert School Hotel

This brand new hotel in Albert is ideally situated for your Somme tour.  Your group will have sole occupancy in one of three annexes, with large, simple en-suite bedrooms, meeting rooms for evenings and free internet access.  Ideal accommodation for larger groups.

Hotel Mercure Peronne

This three-star hotel is a comfortable base for any visit.  It offers 79 rooms, all en-suite, full board with packed lunches, useful meeting rooms available in the evenings and a pleasant restaurant.  It has good road links to major battle sites making it ideal for any school trip to this region.

VISITS AND EXCURSIONS

• Vimy Ridge, memorial and trenches
• Beaumont Hamel, battlefield and Nova Scotia Memorial
• Historial, Peronne museum
• Albert, tunnels and museum
• Lochnagar Crater at Boisselle
• Thiepval Memorial and visitors’ centre
• Ulster Tower, Irish memorial
• Delville Wood, South Africa Memorial

TYPICAL ITINERARY FOR A 5 DAY TOUR
( Longer or shorter tours are available)

Day One

Daytime coach travel from School, with ferry or Eurotunnel crossing to France and onward journey.  Or choose an overnight journey or a Calais stop-over which will add more sightseeing time.

Day Two

Begin with Lochnagar Crater, created at dawn on 1st July 1917, then tour the Ulster Tower, Thiepval Memorial and Longueval.  Afternoon study visit to Historial Museum in Peronne’s modernised castle.

Day Three

Visit Vimy Ridge and tunnels then spend the afternoon at Beaumont Hamel.  Tour the vast battlefield then explore the replica Nova Scotia House and moving exhibitions.

Day Four

Full day excursion to Ypres: visit Essex Farm dressing station where John MacCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields”, Langemark German cemetery and the Menin Gate to attend the Last Post ceremony.   
Or include a cross-curricular theme with a day visit to Paris or a theme park.

Day Five

Leave your hotel then enjoy some souvenir shopping in Arras or Calais.  Continue to the check in for your afternoon Channel crossing and onward journey to School.

 

PRICES

based on a group of 40 students with 5 staff, including travel, full board accommodation, entrance charges, insurance and collective passport:

Cost

From £264 for a four day tour.  Shorter/longer tours available - price on application.

For more information regarding this excursion please contact us by clicking here