Exploring the battlefields of Ypres offers a profound journey through history, and an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of those who fought in one of the most pivotal regions of World War I. Ypres battlefield tours are immersive, educational, and often harrowing, bringing to life stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience.
This piece explores what can be expected from a battlefield tour in Ypres, highlighting the educational value and historical significance of these sites.
Battlefield tours in Ypres are a unique experience, immersively exploring themes such as life in the trenches, equipment and weapons, and causes of the First World War. The Ypres Salient was the site of numerous battles during the war, and saw the first large-scale use of chemical weapons.
Visiting the site today provides a tangible connection to these historical events, giving a deeper understanding on the impact of WWI, and an opportunity to honour those who gave their lives in battle.
Beyond historical significance, Ypres offers educational and reflective value. Guided First World War battlefield tours provide detailed narratives and personal stories that enrich our knowledge of the past — and the impact it has on our present. At Next Generation Travel we can tailor this to you, personalising your experience based on WWI soldiers from your local area, making your trip just that little bit more special.
Additionally, an NGT guided battlefield tour will support your students’ studies, particularly history studies, at Key Stage 3, GCSE, and A-Level grades across AQA, Edexcel, and OCR exam boards.
The Ypres battlefields are located in the province of Flanders in North-West Belgium. To get there on a school trip you travel by coach directly from your school, with a ferry crossing into Calais. This allows flexibility for stops on the way, and can accommodate for both small and larger groups of students.
Alternatively, you may consider taking the Eurotunnel to Calais, followed by a 1.5 hour coach ride to Ypres. When booking one of our guided battlefield tours with Anglia Tours or WST, we arrange your transportation for you based on your budgets and requirements.
A visit to the Ypres battlefields is more than just exploring the geographical site. There are many museums, cemeteries, and other historical landmarks your students can gain valuable insights from. Here are a few stand-out examples:
The Battle of Langemarck, the third major attack of the Third Battle of Ypres, stands out for its high number of casualties, intense trench warfare, and the creation of the ‘myth of Langemarck’. A guided tour of Langemarck offers expert insights into these historical events and themes, providing a comprehensive understanding of the German cemetery ethos, the Slaughter of the Innocents, Hitler’s 1940 visit, and the causes of WWII.
One of only four First World War German cemeteries in the Flanders region of Belgium, Langemarck is an unmissable stop on any battlefield tour of Ypres.
Located in the historic Passchendaele Château, the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 offers an immersive and educational experience based on the Battle of Passchendaele during WWI. Known for its detailed exhibits, interactive displays, trench experience, educational programs, and memorial gardens, the museum brings the history of the battle to life. There’s even an accurate representation of a British bunker system in which school groups can handle authentic equipment and dress in period uniforms.
The tour also includes visits to German and British trenches, complete with shelters and an authentic American ‘emergency house’ that tells the story of relief efforts. Additionally, the museum offers a research workshop where students can investigate the lives of fallen soldiers, deepening their understanding of the impact of the war.
Tyne Cot, the largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery, is a poignant memorial to World War I soldiers, particularly those who fought in the Ypres Salient. It serves as a solemn reminder of the human cost of the conflict, with over 11,900 British servicemen buried there — though only 3,600 have named headstones. A guided tour provides expert insights into the 1917 Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), the end of the Great War in 1918, and the significance of remembrance, including the option for wreath-laying.
The Visitors Centre, open from February to November, enhances the experience, focusing on battlefield conditions, the importance of high ground, and the ethos of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Lijssenthoek, which was located along the main communication line between Allied bases and the Ypres battlefields, served as a key casualty clearing station due to its strategic position. It now serves as the Lijssenthoeck Military Cemetery to over 10,000 individuals, including soldiers who succumbed to their injuries in nearby field hospitals. Notably, Staff Nurse Nellie Spindler, the only woman buried here among nearly 11,000 men, highlights the significant role of women in the conflict.
The Lijssenthoek visitor centre provides a detailed view of its history as the largest hospital cemetery in the Ypres Salient. Visitors can read hospital diaries, listen to audio snippets from letters and war diaries, and discover daily stories of victims through a changing calendar.
Bayernwald offers a unique and immersive look into World War I battlefields and German trench life, showcasing the challenges and conditions faced by soldiers on the Western Front. This reconstructed site features two German mine tunnels, a mineshaft, and a network of trenches with five bunkers. During the guided tour, you'll explore trench construction, the use of ground, daily routines, and the technology and difficulties of trench warfare. Information panels provide insights into wartime events and life at the front.
There are a few common themes that will be explored when taking part in a battlefield tour in Ypres. Tour guides, museums, artefacts, multimedia displays and more help to make complex themes and historic events easier to understand and engaging for students.
A battlefield tour in Ypres helps students understand the political, social, and economic factors that led to the First World War. Tour guides will talk about the rise of nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and the alliances between countries. They explore key events like the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and military plans such as Germany’s Schlieffen Plan. The tours also discuss economic competition, social tensions, and the arms race.
By visiting actual trench sites, students taking part in a Ypres battlefield tour can see first-hand the harsh living conditions experienced by WWI soldiers. In addition to learning about the mud, cold, and constant threat of enemy attacks endured by the soldiers, students will also explore what a soldier’s daily routine would entail, the equipment they used, and how they coped with challenges like food shortages and disease.
Women in WWI served both on the front lines and at home as nurses, ambulance drivers, and support staff, often working in dangerous and challenging conditions. A Ypres battlefield tour will highlight these contributions, looking at stories of notable women including Nurse Nellie Spindler, who is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.
Students will have the opportunity to see the authentic typical uniform worn by British soldiers, including helmets, jackets, and boots. Battlefield tour guides will talk them through the purpose and use of each, as well as equipment such as backpacks, canteens, and gas masks. Weapons used in the war will also be on display for students to study.
Medical treatment has come a long way since WWI, and a Ypres battlefield tour is an opportunity for students to explore how things were done back then. Surgery and treatment would take place at field hospitals and casualty clearing stations near the front lines. The equipment used such as stretchers, bandages, and surgical tools will be on display for your students to see, as well as medical supplies and diaries. Your students will gain a deeper understanding of medical techniques and challenges faced during the First World War. A free Surgery & Treatment Aide Memoire workbook and flashcards are also available for every student visiting with NGT.
Soldiers from countries like Canada, Australia, India, and South Africa supported the British Army and fought bravely in key battles during WWI. During a Ypres battlefield tour you will be able to visit memorials and cemeteries that honour these soldiers, such as the Tyne Cot, the largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery.
Just a little over a 2-hour coach trip from Ypres is the Somme, another historic battlefield site from the First World War. To really enhance your students’ experience and make the most of your time abroad, you may choose to visit them both in one trip. Here are some key places to visit on Somme battlefield tours:
A tribute to the Newfoundlanders who fought in the First World War, the site of Newfoundland Memorial Park remains largely untouched, showcasing preserved trenches and honouring soldiers who have no known grave. The iconic Caribou Monument is a must-see for any visiting groups, and students will even have an opportunity to walk across the battlefield.
The Thiepval Memorial to the Missing is a profound tribute to the 72,000 British and South African soldiers with no known graves from the Battle of the Somme in World War I. A visit includes a look at the visitor centre's exhibition, featuring museum pieces, archaeological artefacts, multimedia displays, and large-scale installations like a replica of Charles Guynemer’s aeroplane. On a guided tour, students will gain insights into themes such as the significance of the Somme and the battle's impact, and have a chance for reflection.
The largest surviving crater on the Western Front, the Lochnagar Crater was the result of a massive underground mine explosion on July 1st, 1916 — the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The site serves as a stark reminder of the destructive impact of trench warfare.
With 35 years of experience operating educational tours, your next Ypres battlefield tour school trip is in safe hands with Next Generation Travel. To get started planning your trip, reach out to our expert team and request a quote.