Excursions you can’t miss during a history school trip to Ypres
Thinking of a destination for your history school trip? One location will stick in every history teacher’s mind: Ypres and the battlefields of the Somme.
Ypres is a must-visit for history students, both for its curriculum links and its deep legacy in British and world history. There’s plenty to pack into a trip here. It’s worth understanding the weight of this destination, and how it can resonate with you, your staff and your students.
We reflected with Matt Kennedy-Smith from Callywith College about building the right itinerary for his students and the impact of his trip. Like many college visits, Matt’s aims were the move beyond the classroom and providing his students with a direct and enriching understanding of the realities of conflict, with an emphasis on sacrifice, leadership and resilience.
In addition to Ypres being an ideal location for your next history trip, it can also be beneficial for young people who are interested in joining the armed forces to comprehend the consequences of war.
“The concentration of cemeteries, memorials, and preserved battlefield areas allows students to experience, in a very real way, the scale and conditions of trench warfare. For students looking to enter the services, understanding that reality is important.”
Pre-trip preparation
Regardless of their age, it’s important to consider the pre-trip preparation to carefully outline the sensitive and eye-opening visits your students are likely to experience.
Matt highlighted that this was a major consideration and he organised dedicated time for the cohort of 25 students to discuss the excursions in detail before they travelled. He carefully outlined how they may feel and what they would see, which made the whole group, including staff, feel more at ease.
Matt also recommended visiting a local cemetery with Commonwealth graves beforehand, so students could fully grasp what they were going to witness on their upcoming visit to Ypres.
How to support your students before a trip to Ypres and the Somme:
- Reassure your students that there is no ‘right’ way to feel.
- Centre learning on personal stories before the trip. It’s more powerful if students meet named soldiers from their local area, or who were their own age – someone they can relate to.
- Prepare them for the cemeteries and how to respond in that setting.
- Help them to understand the landscape – many students expect to see lots of typical trenches. Showing them photos of battlefields during the war and how they look today can provide a realistic expectation.
- Introduce moments for reflection. Small tasks help students take in their surroundings, and help them relay their experiences back at home. Ideas could include:
- Journaling
- A list of photographs needed to capture
- Writing a postcard home from the perspective of a soldier
Although a history trip to Ypres will involve some sombre moments, it also expands their historical and cultural awareness.Some encounters will feel hard-hitting. Matt described the rows of identical headstones, many marked “Known Unto God” — as bringing home the reality of the war. One student found this experience particularly moving:
“…standing there made it feel real. It hits you how many didn’t even get a name.”
Discovering battlefields and cemeteries together can be meaningful. Students lean on one another, while teachers help guide them through the journey. Each experience can bring you closer as a group, and will build enduring visual memories for your students.
The Menin Gate Memorial
A visit to Ypres and the Somme offers a wide variety of excursions, meaning a chance to learn something new with every visit.
The Menin Gate Memorial is a popular stop on Travelbound itineraries. Every evening at 8pm, the local fire brigade performs the Last Post ceremony. According to Matt, this was one of the most powerful parts of the trip. Unlike other excursions, the Last Post ceremony shows that remembrance of the First World War still goes on today. It bridges the gap between past and present. Callywith College brought their own wreath to lay to make the ceremony even more special.
Tyne Cot Military Cemetery and Theipval Memorial
The Tyne Cot Military Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world. It’s truly breathtaking. History students can wander around for hours reading individual graves and trying to absorb the sheer size of the cemetery.
Pre-trip preparation matters, but it’s just as crucial to consider how you and your staff can support students during the trip. Make note of which sites could be particularly heavy and organise 1:1 or small group check-ins throughout and after the visit.
Matt and his pupils found that Tyne Cot Cemetery and Theipval Memorial to the Missing had a profound effect on everyone. His students became quieter and more reflective. It was essential to reassure them throughout this breathtaking experience, without taking away from its historical significance. One of his pupils reflected on the sights of Thiepval Memorial:
“It’s not just numbers anymore. You realise every name is someone who had a life, a family, and plans that never happened.”
The trip’s impact was eye-opening. One student was so inspired that she’s now spending her gap year in Africa, contributing to humanitarian aid charities. This shows how influential a history school trip can be, shaping a young person’s next steps beyond the classroom.
Guided tour of the Ypres Salient
For Callywith College the guided tour of the Ypres Salient was key to bringing the First World War to life. Matt highlighted its value on the group:
“The guided tour was key. It wasn’t just facts, it was the detail of daily life in the trenches, the constant exposure to danger, and the conditions soldiers endured. The landscape itself reinforced those stories. Seeing how open and exposed the ground is helped students understand the vulnerability soldiers faced.”
How Travelbound supports
Ypres is a popular choice across schools, colleges and universities. Our Travelbound team has considerable experience planning a wide variety of itineraries. A dedicated coordinator handles the logistics of your trip. That means you and your staff can focus on your students — and on prioritising their educational and personal development.
“Travelbound provided a clear structure from the outset. The itinerary, transport, accommodation, and bookings were all organised efficiently, which reduced the administrative burden significantly.” Matt from Callywith College
Down-time excursions
Travelbound can also organise activities beyond the memorials and burial sites, which is a way to break up a full-on schedule.. We understand that although a history trip to Ypres is centred on understanding and building upon your curriculum, sometimes adding in some extra activities allows your students to relax and take a step away from the intense moments from earlier in the day.
“We believe the best learning happens when education and adventure go hand in hand, creating memories that will last a lifetime.”
Helen Clifford
General Manager of Travelbound University and College Tours
To balance out the content of this trip, Callywith College decided to include a trip to the Ice Mountain Adventure Park to their itinerary, along with indoor skydiving. Both activities provide the opportunity for students to let off steam, digest the events of the day, and bond with their peers in a different environment.
“After two emotionally demanding days, the activity allowed students to decompress and build stronger relationships. It helped develop trust and cohesion within the group. Not to mention amazing fun.”
A trip to Ypres and the Somme is often a rite of passage for many history students. Travelbound can assist you in curating an itinerary that supports your curriculum aims but is also targeted towards your students’ age and needs.
If you’re interested in learning more about the excursions we can offer at Ypres and Somme, contact us or open an enquiry today.
