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They Called It Passchendaele

A century ago in Flanders, Belgium, the year 1917 was dominated by two great offensives: the Battle of Messines in June 1917 when nineteen mines were detonated under the Messines Ridge, and the Battle of Passchendaele where men fought in terrible battlefield conditions or mud and rain. Passchendaele has become one of the most iconic battles of the First World War and this new centenary tour allows us to look at the campaign in some depth.

Tour Includes

  • 4 nights hotel with continental breakfast
  • Specialist Battlefield Guide
  • Convenient local joining points

5 days from £679pp

Travel Options
Outbound &
Inbound Travel
Outbound
Travel
  • By Coach By Coach
Inbound
Travel
  • By Air By Air
On-Tour
Experiences
  • Coach Excursions
Departure Dates

Steps to booking your Holiday

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Itinerary

Local departure by coach, then to Ypres for a four-night stay.

Today we look at the Battle of Messines in June 1917 when British and Commonwealth tunnellers exploded nineteen mines under positions along the Messines Ridge. We start at Hill 60 where the two northernmost mines were blown, seeing the impressive Caterpillar Crater. At St. Eloi we visit the crater formed by the largest mine blown in June 1917 and at Wytschaete visit the Tunnellers Memorial. At Spanbroekmolen mine crater we examine the story of the Ulster troops who attacked here, visit the Lone Tree Crater Cemetery. After lunch at Hooge Crater we travel along the Messines Ridge to Messines itself, seeing the visitors centre, and visiting the New Zealand Memorial seeing German front line bunkers. We remember the contribution of Irish soldiers at the Irish Peace Tower and visit the southern area of the battlefield around Ploegsteert ('Plugstreet') including the Ploegsteert Memorial.

Includes Breakfast

Key Visits

Ploegsteert Memorial Hill 60 Hooge Crater St. Eloi Crater Spanbroekmoelen Crater New Zealand Memorial Park Irish Peace Tower

Following Messines, the Third Battle of Ypres began on 31st July 1917 and we start at Buffs Road Cemetery where the battle began just outside Ypres. We then travel to Pilkem Ridge to look at the story of war poets Francis Ledwidge and Hedd Wyn, also seeing the Welsh Memorial. At Langemarck we see the memorial to Harry Patch, the ‘Last Fighting Tommy’ and at Poelcapelle examine the use of tanks during the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing the tank memorial. After lunch we visit the superb Passchendaele Memorial Museum at Zonnebeke, exploring their reconstructed trench system. At Tyne Cot we visit the largest British military cemetery in the world and end on the Frezenberg Ridge to see the memorial to Scottish troops.

Includes Breakfast

Key Visits

Tyne Cot Cemetery Passchendaele War Museum Harry Patch Memorial Buffs Road Cemetery Pilkem Ridge Welsh Memorial Poelcapelle Frezenberg Ridge

The Third Battle of Ypres ended with the capture of Passchendaele and today we start at the Canadian Memorial at Crest Farm before going into the village itself to see the memorial in the church. We then take time to visit the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres and after lunch look at life behind the lines at Ypres in 1917, see Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery and its visitors' centre, before going to Talbot House in Poperinghe and its museum. We then look at the story of men ‘Shot at Dawn’ at the Death Cells, and at Brandhoek visit the grave of medical officer Noel Chavasse VC & Bar, also seeing his memorial. We end the day in Ypres for the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Includes Breakfast

Key Visits

Menin Gate Passchendaele Ypres In Flanders Fields Museum Poperinghe Talbot House Crest Farm Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery

Return home.

Includes Breakfast

Accommodation

You will stay for four nights at the 3-star Novotel Ypres Centrum, in the heart of Ypres. The hotel is located only a couple of minutes' walk from the Menin Gate Memorial where the 'Last Post' is sounded every evening. The hotel has a lift, bar and restaurant.

Novotel Ypres Centrum

The Novotel Ypres Centrum is located in the heart of historic town of Ypres, just a short walk from the Menin Gate. The hotel makes the ideal base for exploring the rich military heritage of the area.

Hotel Facilities

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General
  • 3 Star
  • English Speaking Staff
  • Guest Lounge
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Lift
Room
  • TV
  • Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
  • Hairdryer
  • Extra Pillows and Blankets
  • Air Conditioning
  • Fridge
  • Non-Smoking Rooms Available
  • Shower
  • Telephone
  • Free Wifi
Service
  • Safe Box in Reception
  • Room Service Available
  • 24 Hour Front Desk
  • Iron at Reception
  • Dogs Allowed on Request
Food & Drink
  • Vegetarian Meals
  • Gluten Free Meals on Request
  • Lactose or Dairy Free Menu
  • Vegan Menu
Accessibility
  • Disabled Rooms Available
  • Wheelchair Access
Transport
  • Bus Stop Nearby
Hotel
  • English Speaking Staff
  • Guest Lounge
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Lift
  • WiFi Available

Travel Options

When it comes to getting you to your destination, Leger Holidays makes it easy with a selection of travel options to choose from.

Silver Service Coach

Silver Service Coach

More than simply your method of transport, Silver Service offers a coach with added comfort and facilities, such as deluxe reclining seats with leather headrests, an onboard entertainment system, and a spacious rear lounge so you can socialise with your fellow passengers.

Silver Service Coach plan

Silver Service Features

  • Specially designed reclining seats, with leather headrests, footrests and extra legroom.
  • A spacious rear lounge where you can relax, socialise and get to know your fellow passengers.
  • Our onboard entertainment and satellite navigation system makes your journey fly by.
  • Free personal headphones mean you can tune into the music channel, listen to the radio or watch DVDs being played by your crew.
  • Personal tables so you can enjoy your refreshments in comfort as you take in the passing scenery.

Reviews

4.6 Out of 5 ( 11 Reviews )

Reviews

Excellent
73%
Great
18%
Average
9%
Poor
0%
Bad
0%

Quality

4.9 / 5

Value for Money

4.9 / 5

customer, 0 years ago

A wonderful tour with so many different locations included, we done a lot in 3 days.

Verified, collected via Trustpilot

SL, 0 years ago

absolutely great experience except for the feeder coach to Folkstone. Excellent guide and very comfortable coach with great hotel.

Verified, collected via Trustpilot

Richard Lewis, 0 years ago

My only complaint is having to get from Swansea to Dover. We left at 03.00hrs in a mini bus. Changed to a coach at Sarn Services but on this the seats were so close together I could hardly sit down. I am 6 feet 5 inches tall - but have no problem with your Silver Service or Luxuria. Apart from this it was an excellent trip. Excellent coach crew and first class guide. Hotel good and very convenient in the centre of Ypres. Heve not started editing my photos yet.

Verified, collected via Trustpilot

ANDREW RACKHAM, 0 years ago

Very informative and some fantastic museums.

Verified, collected via Trustpilot

Julie, 0 years ago

The excursions were really good. The drivers and guide were excellent.

Verified, collected via Trustpilot

Trevor Sadler, 0 years ago

Stark reminder of such a Horrific waste of lives Humanity needs reminding Humbling

Verified, collected via Trustpilot

Departure Dates

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