Walking the Somme Battlefields
In the company of our Specialist Guide, we walk the infamous battlefields of the Somme, which has seared itself onto the national consciousness of the British and Anzacs who fought there in the grim days of 1916-18
5 days from £399.00
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Discover the stories, tragedy and bravery of the First World War Battlefields of the Somme and Flanders.
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Step back in history to walk the ground and experience the true scale of the sacrifices made on the killing fields of Europe.
All walks have been planned by our expert battlefield guide Paul Reed. Walks take a leisurely two to four hours with plenty of stops to view and discuss the battlefields and visit cemeteries and memorials on the way. Should the weather be particularly inclement, then excursions will operate by coach instead.
5-Day Tour
- Day 1 – Local departure by coach, then onward to Amiens for a four-night stay.
- Day 2 – Beaumont - Hamel & Pozieres and Flers – Courcelette
Walk 1: Our walk starts in the famous Sunken Lane at Beaumont-Hamel, as we look at the tragedy here on 1st July 1916. We then walk up to the Redan Ridge and beyond to the high ground near to Beaumont-Hamel village. Here we examine the fighting in November 1916.
Walk 2: We follow an ‘ANZAC’ walk, looking at Australian and New Zealand troops who fought on the Somme in 1916. We start at Pozières, and walk to the ‘Elbow’, looking at the story of Albert Jacka V.C. and the men of ‘Jacka’s Mob’, visiting the battlefield which cost Australia more than 23,000 casualties in 1916. We then follow the course of the fighting in the battle of Flers-Courcelette, and examine the first use of tanks in the attack on the village of Martinpuich, before moving across to the ground where the New Zealand Division was fighting. B
- Day 3 – Eastern Somme and the Battle of the St. Quentin Canal
Walk 3: The focus of our walks then moves to 1918 and we travel to the Eastern Somme area. We start in the village of Épehy, and look at the British defence of this ground in March 1918. We then examine the attack on the Hindenburg Line in September 1918.
Walk 4: Our focus is the Battle of the St. Quentin Canal in September 1918. We start at the ‘Tumulus’, and follow the route of the attacking Australian and British troops, seeing the Australian Divisional memorial, then walk to the famous Ricqueval Bridge, captured by the 46th (North Midland) Division, and walk the line of their attack on the St. Quentin canal. B - Day 4 – Villers-Bretonneux & Hangard Wood; Péronne .
Walk 5: Our final included walk starts close to the town of Villers-Bretonneux where we visit Crucifix Corner Cemetery and then walk the fields where Australian and British troops stopped the German advance in April 1918. We look at the battle for Hangard Wood, seeing the battlefield graves. In the afternoon we have free time in Amiens or join us for an optional visit to the excellent Somme War Museum in the tunnels beneath Albert. B - Day 5 – To Calais and return home. B
- Day 3 – Eastern Somme and the Battle of the St. Quentin Canal
Included Meals: B=Breakfast
Please Note: Entrance fees to museums and places of interest are at extra cost.
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Quote the reference code while making your booking by telephone or enter as your discount code on the payment page for online bookings to receive the early booking discount.
Book before 01st December get £20.00 per person discount
Battlefield Tours also available by Rail ,Air, or self-drive Other Coach Trips are available from us at www.coachholidaytravel.com |