The WWI Battlefield Experience
About this tour
World War I: The Battlefields of Ypres and the Somme
During World War I, the battles around Ypres and the Somme alone claimed the lives of millions of young men from all corners of the globe. Many had eagerly enlisted in the early months of the war, unaware of the brutal realities that awaited them on the Western Front.
Our Battlefield Experience Tour offers a chance to walk in the very footsteps of the men and women who fought and died in these historic locations. We will immerse you in the sights, sounds, and stories of the Great War, creating a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
Tour Highlights:
- Step into the shoes of those who served on the battlefields around Ypres and the Somme
- Remember the fallen on both sides at the solemn cemeteries of the Western Front
- Visit monumental memorials to the missing at Thiepval and the Menin Gate
- Hear moving stories of bravery, tragedy, luck, and suffering in the very places they happened
- Be moved by the Last Post as it is played during the Menin Gate Ceremony
An experience that will truly change the way you think, feel, and remember.
Enquire about this tour
Itinerary, Rates and Schedule
Monday 7 September to Sunday 13 September 2026 (7-day/6-night tour)
DAY 1: DEPARTURE
- Morning: Depart Edinburgh
- Lunch: En route*
- Evening: Overnight ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam*
DAY 2: ARRIVAL IN YPRES
- Morning: Arrive in Amsterdam and travel to Ypres*
- Lunch: En route*. Arrive at hotel in Ypres late afternoon
- Evening: Dinner at hotel
DAY 3: YPRES SALIENT - SOUTH
- Visit: Messines, Pool of Peace, Sanctuary Wood Museum, Hooge Museum, Menin Road, Hill 60, Black Watch Corner
- Lunch: Close to Ypres*
- Evening: Dinner at hotel
DAY 4: FRANCE AND THE SOMME BATTLEFIELDS
- Visit: Newfoundland Park, Ulster Tower, Thiepval Memorial, Dartmoor Cemetery, Lochnagar Crater, Vimy Ridge
- Lunch: In the trenches*
- Evening: Dinner at hotel
DAY 5: YPRES SALIENT - NORTH
- Visit: Essex Farm, Poelkappelle, Passchendaele, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Langemark
- Lunch: In Ypres with free time to explore the town*
- Evening: Dinner at hotel followed by the Menin Gate Ceremony
DAY 6: DEPARTURE
- Morning: Travel to Amsterdam
- Lunch: En route*
- Evening: Overnight ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle*
Day 7: RETURN TO THE UK
- Morning: Arrive in the UK*
- Lunch: En route*.
- Late Afternoon: Arrive in Edinburgh
*Meals not included
Included
- A trained, experienced Mercat Tours International guide
- All transport to and from the departure point
- All accommodation
- Dinner and breakfast at the hotel in Ypres
- Free entry to all museums and sites on the itinerary
Tour Rates
£1,095.00 per person (sharing)
£265.00 per person (single supplement)
If you would like to find out more about our upcoming World War I Battlefield Experience Tour, please get in touch for further details.
What our customers think
"A very interesting and moving experience leaving us all with much to think about and remember."
The variety of the visits and the personal stories made it even more memorable. the supporting materials of appropriate videos, songs and information booklets made us realise that much thought and preparation and enthusiasm had gone into the planning and execution of our Battlefields experience. Thank you very much.
Mrs Shiela Allan, The WWI Battlefield Experience,
Awards we've won
