10 must-see destinations on a history school tour to Ypres
A school history trip to Ypres is a fantastic learning experience for your students studying history. The historic Belgian town of Ypres was at the centre of the First World War's Western Front. The area, known as the Ypres Salient, is full of memorials, cemeteries, and battlefields. These places help students understand trench warfare, military tactics, and the true cost of war.
Our WW1 battlefield school trips offer students a comprehensive exploration of topics ranging from warfare and medicine to military tactics, technology, volunteering, conscription, and the role of women in the war effort.
A history school trip to Ypres is a chance for students to walk where soldiers walked, see the scale of the war, and think about its lasting effects. So, let’s take a look at some of the top historical places to visit in the Ypres Salient region.
Why school history tours are a great idea
Educational trips are an integral part of a student's learning journey, taking them beyond the walls of the classroom. While textbooks provide a foundation of knowledge, nothing compares to experiencing a place where history was made
History tours, in particular, offer students a unique chance to connect with the past in a personal and unforgettable way. This is why a trip to a place like Ypres is so valuable and so much more than just a school outing. Here are a few reasons why you should be considering school history tours for your students.
Bringing history to life
Textbooks and videos can only show so much. By visiting a historical site, students can see, touch, and walk through places they’ve only read about. Standing in a real trench or seeing thousands of gravestones helps them truly understand the scale and reality of historical events.
This kind of hands-on learning is ideal for students who learn best by doing. It transforms abstract facts into real, memorable experiences.
Building empathy and understanding
When students visit sites of great historical importance, they are forced to confront the human stories behind the events. Walking where soldiers and civilians lived and died helps them develop a deeper sense of empathy.
They learn to see history not just as a list of dates and facts, but as a collection of real human experiences. This emotional connection makes the lessons more meaningful and lasting, helping students to appreciate the sacrifices made by previous generations.
Encouraging critical thinking
At a historical site, students are surrounded by evidence. They can physically see the details of a memorial, the layout of a battlefield, or the artefacts in a museum. This encourages them to ask questions and think critically about what they are seeing, instead of just accepting what they read.
They can compare different sources, question why certain places are built or preserved in a particular way, and form their own opinions based on direct observation. It encourages students to create their own ideas and opinions based on their own experiences, rather than just reading about someone else's experience.
Creating lasting memories and bonds
A trip is a shared experience between students, their peers and their teachers. They will remember the places they visited, the things they learned, and the feelings they had for years to come. These memories help cement their understanding of a topic and can spark a lifelong interest in history.
Furthermore, getting out of the classroom environment helps students and teachers build stronger relationships, as they share new experiences and challenges together. This can lead to a more positive and effective learning environment back at school.
A school history trip to Ypres offers all of these benefits and more. It turns lessons on the First World War from abstract concepts into a powerful and personal experience.
10 places to visit in Ypres when on a history tour
Here are some of the must-see destinations when you are planning your school history trip to Ypres. Each one offers a different view of the war, from the stories of individual soldiers to the vast scale of the conflict. This list includes museums, memorials, cemeteries, and battlefields that are a must-see for any history class studying the First World War.
1. Menin Gate and Last Post Ceremony
Standing as a solemn tribute to the fallen soldiers of the Great War, the Menin Gate is a poignant memorial bearing the names of over 54,000 soldiers whose final resting places remain unknown. Located at the eastern entrance to the city of Ypres (Ieper), it can be easily reached on foot from the city centre, making it a very accessible site for all school groups
Found on the road to Menen, its central location also allows students to witness the iconic Last Post Ceremony, a powerful tribute to the fallen that takes place every evening at 8:00 p.m. The memorial is a public monument, therefore always open to the public.
2. Tyne Cot Ceremony
Venture to one of the most poignant Ypres educational attractions, Tyne Cot Cemetery, known as the largest British Military Cemetery in the world. Its large number of graves stands as a stark reminder of the immense scale of loss during the conflict. Found in the village of Zonnebeke, about 9 km north-east of Ypres, the most common way for school groups to get there is by private coach.
Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., this site allows students to pay homage to the brave soldiers who fought and perished in the war, with the opportunity to participate in one of the moving ceremonies held there.
3. WW1 Medical Evacuation Tour
Step back in time with a WW1 Medical Evacuation Tour, a perfect option for groups studying Edexcel’s Medicine and Surgery on the Western Front. This tour, run by the In Flanders Fields Museum, allows students to delve into the remarkable medical advancements and challenges faced during the war, gaining valuable insights into the courageous efforts of medical personnel.
Based in the Cloth Hall in the main market square of Ypres, the museum organises the tour, which must be booked in advance. While the museum itself is generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., tour times will vary and are subject to availability.
4. Bayernwald (Croonaert Wood)
For an authentic glimpse into the daily lives of soldiers, immerse your class in the well-preserved German trench systems and bunkers of Bayernwald. Situated near the village of Wijtschate, about 8 kilometres south of Ypres, this site is best accessed by a private coach or bus.
Guided school tours provide invaluable insights into the harsh realities faced by troops on both sides of the conflict. The site is generally open daily, with hours that can vary seasonally, so it's best to check in advance.
5. In Flanders Fields Museum
The In Flanders Fields Museum offers an immersive and personal experience into how the war profoundly impacted Ypres and its residents. Located in the Cloth Hall in the city's main market square, the museum is easily accessible on foot from anywhere in the city centre.
Upon arrival, each student receives a wristband to guide them through the engaging exhibits, which feature personal artefacts and multimedia presentations, offering a unique first-hand perspective.
The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and it's highly recommended that groups book their tickets in advance.
6. Talbot House
Known affectionately as ‘Toc H’, Talbot House provided a welcome respite from the horrors of war for British soldiers of all ranks in 1915. Talbot House is in the town of Poperinge, about 12km west of Ypres. Students can reach the house by train or bus from Ypres or by private coach.
The beautifully restored house, including its concert hall where countless recreational activities took place, is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and allows students to wander through the rooms and learn about its heartwarming and enduring legacy.
7. Sanctuary Wood Museum
Offering a captivating glimpse into the harrowing experiences of WW1 soldiers, the Sanctuary Wood Museum showcases well-preserved British trenches and covered passageways. Situated approximately 6km east of Ypres city centre, it's a key educational attraction best reached by a private coach.
Within the museum, two rooms house an array of battlefield artefacts, including a remarkable collection of three-dimensional photo images. Students can explore this unique site, which is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
8. Langemark German Cemetery
For a sombre reminder of the human cost of war, a visit to Langemark German Cemetery is essential. Located about 6km north of Ypres, this site is easily accessible by private coach or bus and is open to visitors daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Here, students can pay their respects to the more than 40,000 German troops who rest in eternal peace and gain insight into Germany's commemoration of its fallen, particularly the profound impact of events like the Massacre of the Innocents in 1914.
9. Passchendaele Memorial Museum
Embark on a compelling journey through the tumultuous 1917 Battle of Passchendaele at the Passchendaele Memorial Museum. Located in the town of Zonnebeke, a key site within the Ypres Salient, this museum offers a powerful narrative of one of the war's most notorious battles.
The most convenient way to reach it is by private coach. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the museum features a network of open-air trenches, immersive reconstructions, and a new remembrance gallery that brings the history to life.
10. Hooge Crater
No World War One trip is complete without a visit to the Hooge Crater Museum. Located on the Menin Road, approximately 4km east of the city centre, the museum is easily accessible and open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It boasts an extensive collection of weapons and war equipment used by all armies involved in the conflict, alongside compelling photographs.
Students can also witness the haunting landscape bearing the scars of war, including the large, water-filled crater created by a massive mine explosion situated directly opposite the museum.
Extra educational activities to add to your student history tour
To take your tour of Ypres to the next level, consider these activities that go beyond the main sites. They can add a deeper layer to your students' understanding and make their experience even more personal.
It can also help to build those memories that we spoke about earlier, making the tour a truly unforgettable event. These activities offer a break from the main cemeteries and museums while still providing a valuable historical context.
Guided Walking Tours of Ypres
A guided tour of the rebuilt town of Ypres offers a different perspective on the war. The city was almost completely destroyed by shelling, but was reconstructed to its original medieval design. A tour can highlight key landmarks, like the Cloth Hall, and explain how the town and its people endured the conflict and worked to rebuild their lives.
These tours often point out details you might miss on your own, such as the plaques and small memorials hidden in plain sight, and help students appreciate the resilience of the local population.
Student-Led Research and Presentations
Encourage students to choose a specific soldier from a memorial or cemetery and research their story. The In Flanders Fields Museum, for example, has a research centre and a database that can help with this.
Students can find out about the person’s life, their service, and how they died. This can be a great way to personalise the history and give students a greater sense of connection to the individuals who fought and died. They can then present their findings to the group at the soldier's gravesite or at a relevant memorial.
Wreath-Laying Opportunities
A very memorable and moving experience for students is to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony. Many of the memorials and cemeteries, especially the Menin Gate during the Last Post Ceremony, allow school groups to arrange a short service.
This gives students a chance to pay their respects and take part in a formal act of remembrance. Your tour operator can help you arrange a wreath and reserve a spot for your group, making this a powerful and lasting moment of your trip. It's a way for students to show their thanks and respect in a very real and tangible way.
Book your next school trip to Ypres with NST!
We hope this blog has sparked your curiosity. If so, seize the opportunity to provide your students with a hands-on history lesson and book a school trip to Ypres today. At NST, we’re here to help you bring the past to life and create memories that will resonate with your students for years to come! Request a quote today and we’ll be happy to help.