Ypres Salient
An Ypres Salient tours offer students a superb opportunity to study the area that was a pivotal point in the First Word War. Guided Tours For groups looking to enhance their excursions to the battlefields of Europe, we are partners with the International Guild of Battlefield Guides and therefore have access to trained, experienced and vetted guides. They are chosen for their suitability to work with school groups to bring the reality of war to life. All Guild members have one thing in common, their love of Military History.
Curriculum Links:
Linked to WWI History (KS3-5)
PLACES TO VISIT
Langemark German Cemetery
In complete contrast to Tyne Cot, this dark and foreboding place is the only German cemetery in the Salient, with the remains of over 44,000 soldiers including a mass grave of 25,000 men.
Last Post Ceremony
No visit to Ypres is complete without attending the deeply moving ceremony of the sounding of the Last Post, under the Menin Gate. Every evening at 20:00hrs, the traffic is halted and buglers from the local Fire Brigade play the haunting notes of the Last Post.
Hooge Crater Museum and Trenches
Hooge, a key WWI site near Ypres, is home to the Hooge Museum, showcasing artefacts, weapons and uniforms in its old chapel, along with a short film about the area’s battles. Groups can book the cafeteria for packed lunches. The site also features reconstructed trenches built in their original positions, offering valuable insight into frontline life (additional fees apply).
Bayernwald German Trenches (Croonaert Wood)
This unique site is a restored German trench system with 300 metres of trenches, four concrete bunkers and a 30 metre deep mineshaft.
The Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917
This fascinating museum, situated in the grounds of Zonnebeke chateau, gives an overview of the Battle of Ypres, with a focus on Passchendaele 1917, by means of authentic photographic material, historical artefacts and several life-like dioramas.
Visitors can walk through a German trench and descend into a unique 6 metre deep British dugout with communication and dressing posts, headquarters and accommodation. The museum also has reconstructed German and British trench systems.
Talbot House, Poperinge
Poperinge remained one of the few unoccupied towns in Flanders and, in 1915, Talbot House was opened as an ‘Everyman’s Club’, where all soldiers were welcomed, regardless of rank.
In Flanders Fields Museum
Housed in Ypres’ Cloth Hall, the In Flanders Fields Museum offers an immersive introduction to WWI through authentic objects, interactive displays and audio guides. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views from the belfry, and schools can book tailored educational activities and tours.
Hill 62 and Sanctuary Wood Museum
A small part of the original wood was preserved as it was found at the end of the war, with original trenches. The museum offers a collection of authentic relics and graphic 3D pictures.
Essex Farm
This cemetery contains the notable graves of 15-year old Pte. Joe Strudwick and Pte. Thomas Barratt V.C. Outside the cemetery is the Albertina Memorial to the poet John McCrae. He is reputed to have written what is perhaps the war’s best known poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’, in a bunker dressing station here.
Tyne Cot Cemetery
The world’s largest Commonwealth war cemetery containing the graves of 11,962 men. The rear wall of the cemetery contains the names of almost 35,000 soldiers who have no known grave.
The visitor centre complements your visit to the cemetery.
The Menin Gate
The famous British War Memorial, with engraved names of over 54,000 missing British and Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives on the Ypres Salient.
PLACES TO STAY
Novotel
Short walking distance to market square. Free Wifi. Fitness centre, strictly non smoking. Meeting rooms available. Single, Twin, double and family rooms. Terrace. Aircon
Munchenhof Hotel
Located in the quiet village of Langemark, about 8km from Ypres, This youth hotel can accept two groups, split between the main building and the adjacent annexe. All 39 rooms have en suite bathroom and toilet.
Messines Peace Village
Quietly located in Messines village and only 15 minutes’ drive from Ypres town.
• Spacious purpose-built youth centre
• 40 multi-bedded chalets with en suite facilities
• Meeting room available with DVD facilities
• Games room with table football and pool table
• Outside grassed playing area
CJT De Lork
Quietly located near Kemmel village and only 15 minutes’ drive from Ypres town.
• Highly recommended, spaciously-built youth centre
• Maximum of 176 beds for students in multi-bedded en suite rooms
• Staff in twin and single en suite rooms
• 7 meeting/classrooms
• Table tennis, table football and outside area
• Large sports hall available during the evening (advance booking required)
Albion Hotel
short walking distance to city centre. 32 rooms. Single, twin, double or family room available. Lounge/bar. Strictly Non smoking rooms
Ypres Lodge
Located about 1.5km from the Menin Gate in Ypres town.
• Modern purpose-built centre for youth groups
• Students in multi-bedded en suite rooms
• Staff in twin and single en suite rooms
• Games area with table tennis, table football and DVD facilities
• Smaller private meeting rooms available (advance booking required)
Messines Peace Village
Quietly located in Messines village and only 15 minutes’ drive from Ypres town.
• Spacious purpose-built youth centre
• 40 multi-bedded chalets with en suite facilities
• Meeting room available with DVD facilities
• Games room with table football and pool table
• Outside grassed playing area
CJT De Iep
Situated about 20 minutes’ walk from Ypres town centre.
• Single group centre
• Students in 2-4 bedded rooms
• Staff in twin and single rooms
• Ample communal shower and toilet facilities
• Games area with table tennis and table football
• Outside grassed playing area
New Regina
City centre location. Near to Menin Gate. Views of the Cloth . 28 rooms. Twins and doubles 3 star hotel. Buffet breakfast. Tea room
Oude Abdij (Old Abbey)
Located in the small village of Lo, between the Belgian coast and Ypres town.
• Can accommodate up to 3 groups at a time
• Students in multi-bedded en suite rooms
• Staff in twin and single en suite rooms
• Extensive restaurant area can be used for meetings
• Games area with table tennis, table football and DVD facilities
Menin Gate School Hotels
Four hotels located within 5 minutes’ walk of the town square – all under the same management and all of which are of an older style property.
Each centre has:
• Breakfast room (evening meals taken at local restaurant)
• Meeting room
• Internet and games room.
• Students are accommodated in multi bedded rooms
• Staff in twins and singles
• All rooms have a shower and WC.
Itinerary Example
2 day itinerary
DAY 1: Travel from school to channel coast for morning crossing to Calais or Dunkirk. *Possible visits en route to your accommodation could include Essex Farm and Ypres town. Following your evening meal at the accommodation centre, return to Ypres to attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.
DAY 2: Depart after breakfast for further visits on the Ypres Salient. Possible visits could include Tyne Cot Cemetery, Langemark German Cemetery and Hill 60 before heading to Calais or Dunkirk for an afternoon crossing and early evening return to school.
3 day itinerary
DAY 1: Travel from school to channel coast for morning crossing to Calais or Dunkerque. *Possible visits en route to your accommodation could include Essex Farm and Ypres town. Arrive at your accommodation centre in time for evening meal.
DAY 2: Depart after breakfast (with packed lunches) for further visits on the Ypres Salient. Possible visits could include Tyne Cot Cemetery, Langemark German Cemetery and Hill 60 or possible museum visits. Following your evening meal at the accommodation centre, return to Ypres town to attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.
DAY 3: Depart after breakfast (with packed lunches) for further visits on the Ypres Salient before heading to Calais or Dunkirk for an afternoon crossing and early evening return to school.
3 day Ypres and Somme itinerary
DAY 1: Travel from school to channel coast for crossing to Calais or Dunkirk and on to your accommodation in the Ypres area. Time for visits* en route.
DAY 2: A full day on The Somme. Return to Ypres for evening meal. After evening meal, attend the Last Post ceremony at 20:00 hours.
DAY 3: Depart after breakfast with time for further visits* in the Ypres area before returning to Calais or Dunkirk for the journey back to school.
*The time available for visits en route is dependent upon school’s distance from the channel port.
4 day Ypres and Somme itinerary
DAY 1: Travel from school to channel coast for crossing to Calais or Dunkirk and on to your accommodation in the Ypres area. Time for a brief visit* en route.
DAY 2: A full day visiting the major sites of interest on The Somme. Return to Ypres for evening meal.
DAY 3: A full day on the Ypres Salient. After your evening meal, attend the Last Post Ceremony at 20:00 hours.
DAY 4: Depart after breakfast with time for further visits* in the Ypres area (or further afield) before returning to Calais or Dunkirk for the journey back to school.
* The time for available visits en route is dependent upon school’s distance from the channel port.