World War I Battlefields – Somme Area
The Somme is an excellent destination for schools looking for a trip that is tailored for a History school trip covering the World War I (WW1) Battlefields.
Two towns, Albert and Péronne, have come to symbolise the Great War and mark the start and end points of the way–marked Circuit of Remembrance.
Albert in particular retains a symbolic importance for the British. The statue of the Golden Virgin on the town’s basilica, which was hit by a German shell in January 1915 and came to be known as the “Leaning Virgin”, gave rise to a belief amongst the troops that its fall would mean the end of the war.
Albert is the ideal starting point for an exploration of an area which includes Beaumont–Hamel and the nearby Newfoundland Park, the British Memorial to those who fell with no known grave at Thiepval, the hugely impressive Lochnagar Crater at La Boiselle and the memorial to the Welsh Division at Mametz Wood.
Although Albert is accessible from many parts of the UK as a school day-tour destination, we would recommend that schools stay at least one night in the area, possibly combining their stay with time in the Yprès Salient area of Belgium for a complete overview of the significance of this area.
Contact us to receive a pack giving full information on prices, accommodation and excursions to The Somme and other school trips to France and History school trips
