Ypres-Battlefield and History School Trips
Battlefield and History Tours
Ypres, a quaint city rich in historical significance, offers a treasure trove of educational opportunities for your students to explore. Specializing in meticulously organized and thoroughly researched tours, Battlefield & History Tours provide an immersive learning experience. As a division of Rondo Travel, a pioneering member of the School Travel Forum and among the initial group of School Tour Operators to receive the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge, we uphold the highest standards of educational travel. Our commitment to simplicity and efficiency is evident in our policy against unnecessary administrative fees. Additionally, we ensure a personalized service by assigning a single point of contact who will manage your tour from inception to conclusion, including availability for on-call support throughout the duration of the tour.
Free travel insurance on all visits & Zero Deposits
Current School Trip Offer
Free travel insurance on all visits & Zero Deposits for Current School Trip Offer.
Complimentary travel insurance is provided for all visits, and no deposits are required for bookings on any of our tours.
Teacher Checklist
Risk Assessments Inspection Visits Free Places for Teachers LOtC Quality Badge ABTA Licence ATOL Licence School Travel Forum Assured Tailor your trip
Example Itineraries
All itineraries are customized to align with your specific learning goals or curriculum requirements.
Day 1: The journey begins with a visit to the 'In Flanders Fields' Museum, offering an immersive introduction to the history it commemorates. In the evening, attendees will have the opportunity to witness the poignant Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, with an option for two students to participate actively by laying a wreath.
Day 2: A guided day trip with an expert on the subject matter is planned. The itinerary includes visits to significant sites such as the town of Messines, the Bayern Walk Reconstructed German Trenches, Hooge Crater Cemetery and Museum, Hill 60, Polygon Wood, and Tyne Cot Cemetery. The day concludes with visits to the Passchendaele Memorial Museum, Langemark Cemetery, and Talbot House, providing comprehensive insights into the area's historical importance.
Day 3: The group will head to Fromelles, timing the visit to arrive by noon. A picnic lunch will be organized at a significant location in Fromelles, which was the backdrop for some of the fiercest battles of the Great War. The itinerary includes a visit to the cemetery, the new Fromelles Museum (which opened in 2014), and an exploration of the surrounding area. The return trip to Ypres will include a stop at Essex Farm Cemetery.
Day 4: The return journey home will include a visit to an additional site of historical interest. Participants interested in a deeper exploration of literature, military tactics, or specific battles may opt to extend their stay in the area for further study.
Day 1: The journey begins with a visit to the 'In Flanders Fields' Museum, offering an immersive introduction to the history it commemorates. In the evening, attendees will have the opportunity to witness the poignant Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, with an option for two students to participate actively by laying a wreath.
Day 2: A guided day trip with an expert on the subject matter is planned. The itinerary includes visits to significant sites such as the town of Messines, the Bayern Walk Reconstructed German Trenches, Hooge Crater Cemetery and Museum, Hill 60, Polygon Wood, and Tyne Cot Cemetery. The day concludes with visits to the Passchendaele Memorial Museum, Langemark Cemetery, and Talbot House, providing comprehensive insights into the area's historical importance.
Day 3: The group will head to Fromelles, timing the visit to arrive by noon. A picnic lunch will be organized at a significant location in Fromelles, which was the backdrop for some of the fiercest battles of the Great War. The itinerary includes a visit to the cemetery, the new Fromelles Museum (which opened in 2014), and an exploration of the surrounding area. The return trip to Ypres will include a stop at Essex Farm Cemetery.
Day 4: The return journey home will include a visit to an additional site of historical interest. Participants interested in a deeper exploration of literature, military tactics, or specific battles may opt to extend their stay in the area for further study.
Which Curriculum Subjects do we cater for?
History Click to expand
At Battlefield and History Tours, we are dedicated to providing an unparalleled educational experience that brings history to life for students during their overseas trips. Our approach to delivering the curriculum on history focuses on immersive learning experiences that foster a deep understanding and appreciation of historical events, places, and their significance. Here's how we achieve this:
Expert-Led Guided Tours: Each tour is led by a specialist with extensive knowledge in the historical period being explored, ensuring that students receive accurate and engaging insights. Our guides are not just historians but are passionate about sharing their expertise, offering narratives that connect students with the past in a meaningful way.
Interactive Itineraries: Our itineraries are carefully designed to align with your specific learning goals or curriculum requirements. From visiting key historical sites like the 'In Flanders Fields' Museum to participating in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, each activity is chosen to provide a hands-on learning experience. Students have the opportunity to actively engage with history, whether through laying a wreath in remembrance or exploring the trenches.
Customized Learning Experiences: Understanding that each group has unique educational objectives, we customize tours to meet these needs. Whether your focus is on military tactics, literature, or the personal stories of soldiers, we tailor the visit to ensure that your curriculum goals are met.
Inclusive and Accessible Learning: We strive to make our tours inclusive and accessible to all students, including those with disabilities or special educational needs (SEN). By discussing any specific requirements from the initial inquiry, we ensure that every student can participate fully in the learning experience.
Educational Support Materials: Beyond the physical tour, we provide educational materials that can be used before, during, and after the trip. These resources are designed to enhance learning, stimulate discussion, and ensure that the educational outcomes of the trip are integrated back into the classroom.
Reflection and Remembrance: Our tours encourage students to reflect on the impact of historical events. Visits to memorials and cemeteries, for instance, are not just about learning historical facts but about understanding the human cost of conflicts. This encourages empathy and a personal connection to history.
Interactive Sessions: We offer opportunities for students to engage in discussions, Q&A sessions with experts, and even historical re-enactments. These interactive elements make history tangible and stimulate a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Connection to the Present: While exploring historical sites, we make connections to contemporary issues and the relevance of history to today's world. This helps students understand the importance of learning from the past to inform our present and future.
By choosing Battlefield and History Tours for your school trip, you are selecting a partner committed to delivering high-quality, educational, and memorable history learning experiences. Our tours go beyond just sightseeing; they are an investment in your students' education, providing them with a deeper understanding of history that textbooks alone cannot offer.
World War Click to expand
Bring World War I history to life with Battlefield and History Tours. Our immersive, expert-led trips to pivotal sites like Ypres and the Somme offer students hands-on experiences—from exploring trenches to participating in remembrance ceremonies—deepening their understanding of the war's impact.
We deliver the World War curriculum through engaging tours led by knowledgeable guides passionate about sharing the stories of the Great War. Students visit significant battlefields, museums, and memorials, participate in ceremonies like the Last Post at the Menin Gate, and engage in discussions and workshops tailored to your educational objectives. Each itinerary is customized to align with your curriculum goals, ensuring a comprehensive and memorable learning experience that brings history beyond the textbook.
What size groups do we cater for?
Group usually start at a minimum of 10 with no maximum group size. For primary & middle schools we work on a 1:10 free place for a teacher.
Access for visitors with disabilities?
Battlefield & History Tours will always try to assist to ensure inclusivity on any of our group trips. This is best achieved by discussing any special requirements from the initial inquiry. Sadly not all destinations are currently accessible but we will always advise on suitable alternatives or work arounds.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Battlefield & History Tours is proud of its history in providing successful and rewarding tours to many groups with SEN needs. The needs of the individual are always taken into consideration
Anything else?
Each itinerary is meticulously crafted to meet your specific needs.
Who are Battlefield and History Tours?
Battlefield and History Tours represents a highly specialized sector, independently managed yet integral to Rondo Travel's offerings. The division is led by a Director with over 15 years of expertise in tailoring history-focused tours. These tours are distinguished by their emphasis on historical education and are often accompanied by expert guides who journey alongside the group.
Our services are comprehensive, encompassing any desired destination. We boast a team of specialists capable of assisting with detailed research when necessary. Our offerings are diverse, including lectures by Holocaust survivors, participation in the Last Post Ceremony, visits to concentration camps, and opportunities for historical re-enactment.
Ypres, situated in Belgium's Flanders region, has historically been a focal point of the intense conflicts of World War I, starting in the late autumn of 1914. It stands as a crucial destination for students of the First World War, History, Geography, and Poetry, offering a wealth of memorials, cemeteries, museums, and churches. These sites have been meticulously preserved to honor the memory and sacrifices of soldiers from both sides of the conflict. Students are encouraged to explore their family connections to the war, with the potential for site visits depending on timing and location. Such experiences foster a deep understanding and appreciation of the young ages at which many soldiers lost their lives.
In addition to the educational aspect, we propose integrating Battlefield tours with visits to Christmas markets during the holiday season, enriching the cultural experience. Destinations can include Ypres, Brugge, Brussels, Arras, Amiens, and Lille in the Ypres/Somme regions, with the option to extend tours to Germany, Poland, or The Netherlands.
Teacher Checklist
Risk Assessments Inspection Visits Free Places for Teachers LOtC Quality Badge ABTA Licence ATOL Licence School Travel Forum Assured Tailor your trip
Educational Battlefield & History Tours for Schools, Colleges, and Cadets
Discover the past with educational battlefield & history tours!
D-DAY 80th Anniversary 2024
1944 - 2024 - 80 Years on from D-DAY UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO, SWORD there can be no better time to visit Normandy.
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