History of Warfare - Normandy, Arras & Agincourt.

Battlefield and History Tours

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Prices from £299*

Battlefield & History Tours is a premier provider of educational and historical excursions across the globe, particularly in Europe, covering significant events from various centuries, including the World Wars, revolutions, and eras of empire. Our success over the past 30 years in organizing tours for school groups is a testament to the unwavering commitment and expertise of our team, including our staff, advisors, guides, and historians.

Comprising individuals with a shared passion for history and travel, our team is dedicated to offering exceptional planning and service. We ensure meticulous attention to detail and provide comprehensive support, prioritizing the welfare and satisfaction of your students. Our extensive experience guarantees that every tour undertaken with Battlefield & History Tours is thoroughly prepared for, capturing every possibility to enrich your experience.

Destinations in France

Normandy | Arras | Agincourt

AGINCOURT MEDIEVAL CENTRE (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

The new Medieval History Centre in the village not only tells the story of the battle, but sets the whole bloody conflict in context. There are life size knights on horse back in armour, full size talking figures as well as interactive exhibits (weapons and armour). It is a good starting point and preparation for walking round the battle site.

MUSÉE SOMME 1916, ALBERT

Albert was subject to continuous bombardment in the months before the Battle of the Somme. Built within the shelters constructed during the Second World War, most of the museum displays weapons of the era, wartime equipment and lifelike tableaux detailing trench life.

WELLINGTON QUARRY, ARRAS

The underground quarry is situated on the outskirt of Arras and is filled with history and memories. Thousands of soldiers were stationed below ground before the 9th April 1917 offensive. A film is shown at the quarry so visitors can discover the shock that was the 9th April ‘Battle of Arras’. The visit and accompanied audio-guided tour takes seventy-five minutes.

LOCHNAGAR CRATER

This crater is situated east of the village of La Boiselle and is very impressive. Approximately 90 metres in diameter and 60 metres deep, it was created by a mine detonated on 1st July 1916.

THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

This memorial stands out from the surrounding countryside. It is dedicated to the 73,000 Allied troops who lost their lives in the Somme and who have no known grave. Standing 45 metres high on the old German frontline, it was the site of some of the bloodiest fighting of 1916 and remains a truly poignant reminder of the scale of the suffering encountered during the battle of the Somme. There is a new Visitor Centre, which is very interesting for school groups.

NEWFOUNDLAND PARK

This Canadian National Historic Site is a memorial to the Newfoundland Regiment and remains very much as it was in 1916. Opened in 1925 and maintained by Veterans Affairs Canada, the site commemorates soldiers who

died in the most dramatic days of the 1916 Campaign. Two opposing trench

systems can be clearly seen. At least an hour is required to enable the groups

to spend time at the interesting visitor centre, walk the battlefield and visit

the cemeteries.

DELVILLE WOOD

This was the location of some of the Western Front’s most savage and intense fighting. In 1916 the wood was obliterated by shellfire but has since been replanted. The brunt of the fighting was borne by the South African Brigade and the Delville Wood Memorial now serves as the South African National War Memorial for both World wars.

VIMY RIDGE

This spectacular site centres on the Canadian Corp’s superbly planned capture of Vimy Ridge in April 1917, an event that proved to be a turning point for the Allies in the First World War. The trenches and subways have been preserved and restored for visitors. On top of the ridge is the Vimy Memorial and a very interesting exhibition showing the history surrounding the battle.

HISTORIAL DE LA GRANDE GUERRE

The museum is located in the medieval chateau of Peronne and is dedicated to the memory of the people who fought in and experienced the Great War. Based around four large rooms, the ‘Historial’ deals sensitively with the multi-cultural aspect of the war, demonstrating British, French and German exhibits.

The museum also houses a small cinema, which shows a 20 minute film about Harry Fellows, a survivor of the Battle of the Somme who died in 1989. This film may be more beneficial to older students.

EPERLECQUES

The Blockhouse of Eperlecques is the largest bunker in Northern France and is

classified as a historical building. This monumental factory was designed to

manufacture 84.8 tons of liquid oxygen per day and to launch a maximum of

36 rockets a day. The V2 would have targeted southern England from this area.

LA COUPOLE

After Allied bombing raids had crippled the Blockhouse at Eperlecques, the Germans turned their attention to La Coupole. The menacing concrete dome that emerges from trees hides not only a rocket-launching base but also an underground slave labour camp ‘home’ to thousands of Russian and Polish prisoners. During your visit to La Coupole, you might wish to include one or two of the other major exhibitions held within its complex such as the Holocaust, the German occupation and the development of the rocket after the Second World War.

What they will learn

Subjects available: History, Cultural, Farming, Performing Arts

Explore the changing nature of warfare with your students on a school history trip to Agincourt, The Somme and Atlantic Wall (La Couple / Eperleques). Start with the might of the English Longbow which has never been more effectively demonstrated than on the legendary fields of Agincourt (1415), to the trenches of WWI and the industrialised warfare of WWII. Students will have the opportunity to explore for themselves the significant developments in warfare between 1415 and 1945.

A-Level

Challenges for Europe and the wider world, 1901+

GCSE

Conflict and tension: WW1

The Western Front

Inter-war years: 1918-1939

Developments in British warfare

Life in wartime Britain

Key Stage 3

The French Revolution

The changing nature of warfare

Life in the trenches

Developments in British warfare

Life in wartime Britain

Challenges of German nationalism

Primary

British history beyond 1066

Final packs:

• A chronological description of the museums and battlefields to be visited during your tour with in-depth commentary on the significant details of each site

• A Student Activity Checklist providing you with suggestions of tasks

• Background information on the key features

• Sections linking the work on the field trip to the required subject

• Full colour pictures and maps of the sites

• Student Worksheets and Teacher’s Guides

What's included

Sample Itinerary Overview

Day 1: The journey commences with a departure from the school, followed by a crossing via the Eurotunnel or P&O Ferry. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the Agincourt Medieval Centre, culminating with an overnight stay in Albert, Somme.

Day 2: The itinerary includes a visit to either the Musee Somme 1916 or the Wellington Quarries. The afternoon is reserved for a comprehensive battlefield tour, potentially covering the Lochnagar Crater, Newfoundland Park, and the Thiepval Memorial.

Day 3: The day begins with a visit to the Blockhouse at Eperlecques and La Coupole, followed by departure to Calais.

Key Highlights

Agincourt (Azincourt): Celebrated for showcasing the formidable power of the English Longbow during the 1415 battle, Agincourt's new Medieval History Centre offers an immersive experience. Visitors can explore life-size displays, full-scale figures, and interactive exhibits, providing a thorough context of this historic battle.

Musee Somme 1916 (Albert): Situated beneath the Basilica of Notre Dame de Brebières, this museum vividly brings to life the trench warfare of the 1916 Somme offensive. Through a combination of sound effects, imagery, and lighting within its underground passage, it offers a poignant insight into the soldiers' lives.

Wellington Quarry (Arras): This underground museum, crafted within a network of World War I tunnels, pays tribute to the soldiers of the British Army and Dominion Forces. It focuses on the efforts of New Zealand Division tunnelers, providing a unique perspective on the subterranean life during the Great War.

Historial de la Grande Guerre (Peronne): Housed in a medieval chateau, the museum presents the war's multicultural aspects through exhibits and a cinema, offering insights into the varied experiences of European nations involved in the conflict.

Thiepval Memorial to the Missing: Dominating the landscape, this memorial commemorates the 73,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South African forces who perished in the Somme without a known grave. Its Visitor Centre and Museum, along with the adjacent Anglo-French Cemetery, serve as a poignant reminder of the war's toll.

Blockhouse of Eperlecques: Recognized as the largest bunker in Northern France and a historic monument, this site was intended for mass production of liquid oxygen and rocket launches targeting southern England.

La Coupole: After sustaining damage from Allied bombings, this site features a concrete dome concealing a former rocket-launch base and underground slave labor camp. It now hosts exhibitions on the Holocaust, German occupation, and post-war rocket development, offering a comprehensive historical narrative.

This professionally curated itinerary provides a comprehensive exploration of significant World War I and II sites, blending educational visits with historical context to enrich the learning experience of students.

Transport

Included Services: - Round-trip ferry/Eurotunnel crossing between the UK and France - Round-trip flights with British Airways or Easyjet - Round-trip executive coach transfers in accordance with the itinerary from the school - A dedicated tour manager to provide assistance throughout the planning of your tour - 24-hour emergency assistance available on call

Accommodation

Accommodation: We work closely with the owners of a purpose built school hotel in Albert (The Somme) which has three separate floors, all designed to accommodate youth groups. Have a look at www.poppiesalbert.com to check out floorplans and availability. We can also offer 3* hotel accommodation in the centre of Arras to suit groups with a larger budget. Students will be accommodated in multi-bedded rooms, and staff in twins or singles (supplement may apply). All rooms are en-suite. Breakfast is served on site, and evening meals are taken at a nice restaurant in the town centre just two minutes' walk away. Packed lunches are available on request.

Teacher checklist

Risk Assessments, Free Places, LOtC, ABTA, School Travel Forum, Adventure Mark, ATOL, Adventure Activity Associates, RYA Centre, RYA Centre, IATA, ETOA, Expedition Providers Association, ASDAN Centre

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* 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. Minimum of 4 Days is required for this tour. Please ask for details.

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