Ypres is an ideal venue for your History tour, and you can build on other themes too, such as Literature or Citizenship.  It’s an easy drive from Calais port and the famous battle sites and authentic trenches are close to Ypres town.  Friendly Belgians all speak English and you can book a local guide or follow your own WST programme.

 “The students had a wonderful and thought-provoking experience and they learned a significant amount about World War One.  I am already intending to run this trip again next year.”     C.B., Worcestershire

ACCOMMODATION

Compact Lodge Hotel, Ypres

This modern school hotel just outside Ypres offers comfortable accommodation, with quadruple en-suite rooms for pupils and twins for staff.  The hotel has a pleasant garden, meeting room and table-football and for staff comfort there’s a sitting room and bar.  A good venue outside town yet handy for your programme.

Menin Gate School Hotel, Ypres

This modern hotel in central Ypres is a great venue, with all your school group’s needs fully considered.  Your party will have sole occupancy, with simple en-suite bedrooms, breakfast and packed lunches, large meeting areas, free computer access and local restaurant evening meals.  Book early.

Etap Hotel, Lille

You can also choose to stay in France, handy for the battlefields but allowing the possibility of a wider programme.  You can link history studies with French culture and language.  This comfortable one-star hotel has pleasant en-suite bedrooms and a friendly welcome. 

VISITS AND EXCURSIONS

• In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres
• Tyne Cot Memorial
• Hill 62 / Sanctuary Wood, authentic trenches
• Menin Gate - Last Post Ceremony (8 pm every evening)
• Passchendaele 1917, Memorial Museum
• Platoon Experience – re-enactment day
• Langemark German Cemetery
• Site John MacCrae, dressing station
• Bellewaerde theme park, near Ypres

“The pupils absolutely love Hill 62 - the whole experience - getting muddy, the space to play and explore PLUS they are made aware that this is the REAL thing.  They talk about this visit with affection and awe”   S.M., Hull 09

 

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 then onward drive to Ypres.  If you choose an overnight journey you will have more sightseeing time.  Check in to your hotel and have dinner.
OR why not travel overnight on the P & O ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge? You will have dinner and cabin accommodation on board then arrive in Belgium after breakfast to begin a full day of sightseeing.

Day Two

Visit Ypres and In Flanders Fields Museum, with optional hands-on study session.  Afternoon visit to Hill 62 / Sanctuary Wood.  Evening bowling.

Day Three

Guided tour of battle sites around Ypres, visiting Hill 60, Site John McCrae, Hooge Crater.  Tour of Tyne Cot and Langemark cemeteries.  Last Post ceremony.
Or take time out with a visit to Bellewaerde theme park or Lille.

Day Four

Full day excursion to the Somme, visiting Vimy Ridge, Historial museum in Peronne, battle sites and tunnels around Albert and Thiepval Memorial. 
Or book the Platoon Experience in Passchendaele, actively following a battle day of the 3rd Australian Division.

Day Five

Leave your hotel then enjoy some souvenir shopping in Ypres 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

– on application.

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