Northern France & Belgium History School Trips & Tours - WWII
Covering the period from the outbreak of war until liberation, your tour will concentrate on the events of 1940 and 1944, giving your pupils a fascinating insight into the impact of the war in both France and Belgium.
By visiting sites significant to the conflict, your history school trip can provide interpretation of events and the tactics employed in events such as Operation Dynamo at Dunkirk and study Hitler’s Atlantic Wall at the French-Belgian Border. This is also a key area for V weapon sites.
Prices start from £325pp
Price includes
- 2 nights' full-board accommodation staying at NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem
- Executive coach transportation from and to school and throughout your stay
- Services of your own Group Co-ordinator (Groupie)
- Organised evening activities
- Extensive group travel insurance
- Free place ratio of 1 in 8
Price shown is based on 40 paying passengers departing from selected departure points and is subject to availability.
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Top visits
Dunkirk
View the beach and the battle damage still evident in the town today and visit the British Memorial and cemetery. Sites also connected to the retreat to Dunkirk are:
Cassel: The fortified town was one of the strong-points of the evacuation corridor. Visit the cemetery and the main square, the scene of fierce fighting.
Esquelbecq: The scene of a notorious massacre of British POWs by SS troops. The meadow and reconstructed barn are now preserved as a memorial to those who died.
Furnes/Veurne: The town was the scene of heavy fighting as the British struggled to hold the beach area. A visit to the town cemetery reveals the cost in both military and civilian lives.
Calais
The Calais War Museum is situated in the giant Mako bunker, former headquarters of the German Navy. The museum describes what happened in and around the town, from the battles of May 1940 to the liberation in September 1944. It contains a number of fascinating exhibitions covering the Resistance and life under German occupation.
Mimoyecques
This former V3 site based south west of Calais now houses a fascinating museum. An on-site audio commentary enhances your group’s interpretation of the site. The weapon was meant to attack London and for this reason was called ‘The London Gun’.
The Atlantic Wall and Hitler’s V Weapons
A visit to the French–Belgian border o.ers a superb opportunity to study the development of military technology during WWII. The area contains some of the best preserved sections of The Atlantic Wall, the huge defensive system, much built by slave labour, which was constructed to defend Nazi Europe from Allied attack. Much evidence also survives to show the scale of the V weapon threat to Britain in the form of V1 and V2 weapons.
Battery Todt
A huge concrete blockhouse complex containing a museum telling the story of The Atlantic Wall and its construction.
Bois Des Huits Rues VI Launch Site
Site used to launch the flying bomb Hitler hoped would destroy London - the V1.
Cassel
The fortified town was one of the strong-points of the evacuation corridor. Visit the cemetery and the main square, the scene of fierce fighting.
Eperlecques
Home of the biggest bunker in the north of France.
La Coupole
This fascinating museum was once the Nazi’s planned V2 rocket base. It now showcases the story of Hitler’s secret weapon and also of French life during WWII.
The bomb damaged remains of this V2 assembly and launching site house a museum covering the themes of the 1940s occupation of Northern France, the German secret weapons, the Cold War and the conquest of space.
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On-tour support
Get even more from your trip with an NST History Subject Expert from only £10pp per day.
On-tour support includes...
- Your dedicated Group Co-ordinator, if staying at NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem, will ensure the smooth-running of your school tour, acting as all-round support for your group
On-tour support
NST History Subject Experts
Take one of our History Subject Experts with you on your next history school trip.
Our Subject Experts are former teachers with detailed knowledge of the current history curriculum. They are selected to meet your exact tour requirements, helping your group to get even more from their time outside the classroom. Making them the perfect companion for any of our school history trips.
Group Co-ordinator
Your dedicated Group Co-ordinator, if staying at NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem, will ensure the smooth-running of your school tour, acting as all-round support for your group
Accommodation
Popular options in Northern France & Belgium
La Digue
Excellent quality accommodation offering outstanding value. The team at the youth centre are very experienced in accommodating school groups and groups are guaranteed a warm welcome. Feedback from groups who have visited the centre is consistently positive.
La Digue
Excellent quality accommodation offering outstanding value. The team at the youth centre are very experienced in accommodating school groups and groups are guaranteed a warm welcome. Feedback from groups who have visited the centre is consistently positive.
Expert's comment
This extensive conflict involved many of the world’s nations and cost tens of millions of lives. A tour can provide interpretation of events and the tactics employed in events such as Operation Dynamo at Dunkirk and study Hitler’s Atlantic Wall at the French-Belgian Border. This is also a key area for V weapon sites.
Jeff Garner, NST's Guided History Tours Programme Co-ordinator
Curriculum
Study themes
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Edexcel GCSE
"Warfare in British society, c1250 - present"
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OCR GCSE History A
"War and British Society, c790 - 2010"
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EDUCAS (WJEC)
"The Development of Warfare in Britain, c500 - present"
Study levels
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A Level
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AS Level
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GCSE
FAQs
How does a Northern France and Belgium history school trip support curriculum learning?
This history school trip is designed to support GCSE and A Level topics focused on warfare and conflict, particularly WWII. By visiting key sites linked to events such as Operation Dynamo and the Atlantic Wall, students gain a clearer understanding of military strategy and historical impact. These first-hand experiences help bring complex topics to life and strengthen exam knowledge.
Which historical sites will students visit on this trip?
Students explore a range of significant WWII locations, including Dunkirk, La Coupole and preserved sections of the Atlantic Wall. Visits to V weapon sites and museums provide deeper insight into wartime technology and life under occupation. Each stop offers valuable context to support classroom-based learning.
What makes this history trip to Northern France and Belgium unique?
This destination offers a concentrated range of key WWII sites within a manageable travel distance, making it highly efficient for school groups. Students can follow the story of the war from invasion through to liberation across both France and Belgium. The depth and variety of locations create a powerful and immersive learning experience.
What is included in the NST school trip package?
The package includes return executive coach travel, two nights’ full board accommodation and a fully structured itinerary. Groups stay at NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem, with organised evening activities and group travel insurance included. A strong free place ratio also supports staff planning and budgeting.
What support do teachers receive during the trip?
NST provides reliable, teacher-focused support throughout, including the option of travelling with a History Subject Expert to enhance learning on-site. At Château d’Ebblinghem, a dedicated Group Co-ordinator ensures the smooth running of your stay and daily schedule. This expert support allows teachers to focus on student engagement and outcomes.
Why is Château d’Ebblinghem a good base for school groups?
NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem offers exclusive, group-friendly accommodation in a secure and well-managed environment. Its location provides easy access to key historical sites, helping maximise learning time during the trip. With on-site support and organised activities, it creates a structured and comfortable base for students and staff.
Giving you full support throughout
Before your tour
- Dedicated NST expert from day one
- Responsive, flexible communication - Teams, phone, or email
- Same-day quotes
- Trips tailored to your budget, with transparent pricing
- Straightforward planning - we handle the details
- Step-by-step risk assessment guidance
- Free accommodation for group leader preview visits
- Curriculum-driven, enriching experiences across 100s of locations
- Unrivalled local knowledge & expertise
Whilst you're away
- Our travel app keeps all your info in one place
- On-tour support from our reps on the ground
- Support & assistance from our specialists
- 24/7 helpline and support
- Extensive group travel insurance
- Group-friendly accommodation
- Free educational resources
On your return
- Priority rebooking services
- Loyalty reward scheme for valued customers
- You say, we act - we're committed to continuously improving our tours
Speak to one of our school travel experts
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So get in touch today and we'll help to create a bespoke, budget-friendly tour itinerary to meet your specific learning requirements.
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