Ypres Tour - 3 nights

“I should like to acquire the whole of the ruins of Ypres-a more sacred place for the British race does not exist in the world”. Winston Churchill-January 1919.


More than 200,000 British and Commonwealth troops lost their lives in the 4 year defence of one small corner of the Western Front-the Ypres Salient. The area around the small Belgian city (known as Wipers to the British Tommy’s) saw some of the fiercest fighting on the whole of the Western Front including, in April 1915, the first use of poison gas. Today the city is one of the most beautiful in Belgium, however all around you are reminders of the horrors of a century ago. Within just a few miles of the city centre there are dozens of military cemeteries, memorials and museums making it possible to take in a huge amount, even in just a few days.
 

Day 1

Morning departure to France by ferry or Eurotunnel and check into our hotel. Visit "In Flanders Fields" museum in the Cloth Hall then the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate

Day 2

Breakfast then the short drive to the 49th (West Riding) Division memorial and Essex Farm Advanced Dressing Station-the site where John McCrae wrote one of the most famous poems of the Great War- “In Flanders Fields”.

The Remainder of the Morning:
Railway Wood and the Royal Engineer’s memorial
Liverpool Scottish memorial stone
Hill 62 museum and preserved trenches

Hooge Crater cemetery and museum followed by lunch in the museum cafe

The Afternoon:
Polygon Wood
Buttes New British cemetery
New Zealand memorial
5th Australian Division memorial
Canadian memorial “The Brooding Soldier”
Langemark German cemetery

End of Day 2. Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure

Day 3

After breakfast drive to the Passchendaele museum and then on to Tyne Cot Cemetery  and Visitor centre-the largest British and Commonwealth war cemetery in the world.

Day 4

After breakfast check out of the hotel and spend the morning at leisure in Ypres (Last chance to stock up on chocolate!) until 1100 and then drive to Pheasant Wood (Fromelles) Cemetery and visitor centre.
 


After Lunch:
Talbot House museum
Brandhoeck Cemetery and the grave Captain Noel Chavasse-the only man to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice in World War One.
Messines Ridge and museum

End of day 3. Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure

 

 
Return home late afternoon by ferry or Eurotunnel

 

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge.

  • The Cloth Hall, Ypres
    The Cloth Hall, Ypres

  • The Menin Gate. Memorial to nearly 55,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed fighting in the Ypres Salient and have no known grave
    The Menin Gate. Memorial to nearly 55,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed fighting in the Ypres Salient and have no known grave

  • Essex Farm A.D.S. It was here that John McCrae wrote the poem 'In Flanders Fields'
    Essex Farm A.D.S. It was here that John McCrae wrote the poem 'In Flanders Fields'

  • Memorial to the Australian Fifth Division at Polygon Wood
    Memorial to the Australian Fifth Division at Polygon Wood

  • The grave of Captain Noel Chavasse. The only man to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice during the Great War
    The grave of Captain Noel Chavasse. The only man to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice during the Great War

  • Tyne Cot Cemetery. The largest British and Commonwealth military cemetery in the world
    Tyne Cot Cemetery. The largest British and Commonwealth military cemetery in the world

  • Menin Gate, Ypres
    Menin Gate, Ypres

  • Captain Noel Chavasse VC and Bar
    Captain Noel Chavasse VC and Bar

  • Ploegsteert Wood Memorial
    Ploegsteert Wood Memorial

  • Bedford House Cemetery
    Bedford House Cemetery

  • Lijssenthoek Cemetery near Poperinge
    Lijssenthoek Cemetery near Poperinge

  • Nine Elms Cemetery near Poperinge
    Nine Elms Cemetery near Poperinge

  • Menin Gate
    Menin Gate

  • An unknown Canadian soldier
    An unknown Canadian soldier

  • Bedford House CWGC Cemetery
    Bedford House CWGC Cemetery

  • The Menin Gate , Ypres
    The Menin Gate , Ypres
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