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The Somme is a byword for British sacrifice in the Great War; more than 150,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers died here in 1916. On this fascinating and moving tour we visit the key sites of the Somme Battlefield in France including iconic locations like the Sheffield Memorial Park at Serre, High Wood and look at where the Welsh Division was wiped out at Mametz Wood, visiting the memorials and cemeteries.
Please choose your preferred 5 day itinerary
We make our way to the port of departure and coach interchange where you will join your tour coach for the crossing to the continent. We continue to northern France and our hotel for a four-night stay.
Today we look at that terrible first day of the Somme and follow the line of 1st July 1916. We start at Gommecourt, then see where the Northern Pals battalions fought at Serre, walking up to the Sheffield Memorial Park and seeing the battlefield cemeteries. Following lunch, we look at the Beaumont Hamel battlefield, seeing the Sunken Lane where the Lancashire Fusiliers sheltered before Zero Hour and Hawthorn Ridge, where a huge mine was blown and filmed for posterity. We then examine the fighting for Thiepval Ridge, seeing the memorial to the 36th (Ulster) Division and visiting the Thiepval Visitors’ Centre and Thiepval Memorial. We end the day at the Leipzig salient, seeing the memorial to the Dorsetshire Regiment.
Includes Breakfast
Continuing the story of 1st July 1916 we begin in Mash Valley at Ovillers, looking at the fighting there, then move to the Lochnagar Mine crater at La Boisselle, before seeing where regiments from Yorkshire fought at Fricourt. After lunch, we look at the story of Devonshire Trench at Mametz, and see where Captain Billie Neville and his men kicked footballs over the top and where the British lines met with the French. We end the day looking at the next stage of the battle with the fighting at Mametz Wood involving the 38th (Welsh) Division.
Includes Breakfast
The battle of the Somme continued beyond July and we follow the course of the fighting at High Wood and Delville Wood, seeing ‘Crucifix Corner’ and Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, following the story of New Zealand’s Unknown Warrior. We spend lunchtime in Albert with time to visit the Somme Museum. In the afternoon we look at the Australian attack on Pozieres, visiting the Gibraltar Bunker and Windmill site, and seeing where tanks were used for the first time at Flers-Courcelette. We end the tour at the Butte de Warlencourt, now a memorial site, where the Somme battle came to a conclusion on 18th November 1916.
Includes Breakfast
We leave the hotel after breakfast and travel to the Channel port. You will leave your tour coach behind as you join your transfer vehicle for your return journey to your original departure point.
Includes Breakfast
1 x packed lunch/museum package available whilst on tour approx. cost €25. The package comprises a packed lunch on day two of the tour - which includes a baguette sandwich, packet of crisps and bottle of water - entrance to Thiepval Visitor Centre on day two and entrance to the Somme Museum on day four. It also includes a 15 page tour booklet. Please note this is offered as a complete package only and must be paid in Euros (cash).
OPTIONAL EVENING MEAL PACKAGE AVAILABLE for £75 PER PERSON includes a 3-course meal at the hotel on days two and four (buffet starter and dessert and choice of main from pre-advised menu at breakfast each day) and one additional 3-course meal on day three: "Join us on a unique evening out on the Somme on day three where we attend a moving 'Sound and Light' show with extracts from WW1 accounts, music, and re-enactors in uniform - all combined with a typical WW1 meal from the trenches. This will take place in a covered area in the historic Bernafay Wood, the scene of heavy fighting in July 1916 and is organised by 'Digger Cote 160' a local remembrance group."
The local 'Sound and Light' show with meal on day three is subject to minimum numbers and favourable weather conditions and may be cancelled with short notice.
DISCOUNTS FOR CHILDREN DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - We have many parents and grandparents who wish to take their children on a battlefield tour to share the experience and learning together. We are pleased to offer a significant reduction for children aged between 8 & 17 year olds during the school holidays. Call for details.
You will stay for four nights at the 3-star Ibis Styles Peronne Assevillers Hotel. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, and is situated approximately six miles from the centre of Peronne.