WW1 Battlefield Tour Companies and Guides: Starting from the UK
An increasing number of guides and tour companies offer tours to the First World War battlefields: these tours can include one day visits or all-inclusive tours over several days, walking tours, themed tours, cycling tours, self-drive and personalized tours for individuals or groups. Tours will usually range in size from coach tours, to minibus tours, to tours by private vehicle.
Most tours will provide the opportunity for the first-time visitor to see the main sites of interest in a battlefield sector. An increasing number of tour companies are also able to offer, separately or within a standard tour itinerary, an extra special personalized service, whereby travellers wanting to follow in the footsteps of an ancestor who served on the battlefields can be taken to specific places of action and commemoration. Do be aware that your guide will more than likely need sufficient notice if you have a particular request to visit a place of special interest, so ask well in advance of the tour if you have any special requests.
Travellers should expect a high level of experience and expertise in the subject from a guide to the WW1 battlefields. It goes without saying that you should also expect a high standard of service for all the travel and accommodation requirements of a given tour. You are advised to look at testimonials from previous travellers and ask for the tour guide's credentials before booking a tour. Guides and companies requesting to be listed on this website are taken on trust where they are not already known to greatwar.co.uk.
List of Tour Companies and Guides Starting from the United Kingdom
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The following list is an overview of organizations or individual guides offering tours to the First World War battlefields where the tour starts from designated pick-up points in the United Kingdom.
This list is offered to assist travellers in finding a tour company to suit your specific requirements. You are advised to contact the tour guide or company directly with any enquiry about the tours they offer. You must be satisfied that they comply with travel, package holidays and package tours regulations. Greatwar.co.uk cannot be held responsible for a guide or tour company failing to comply with package holiday travel regulations and public liability cover.
Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG)
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greatwar.co.uk is proud to be a Supporter of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides. The aim of the Guild is to raise the understanding and promote best practice for guiding on the battlefields.
The late Lt. Col. Graham Parker, OBE, Retd. and his daughter Joanna Legg organized battlefield tours as Flanders Tours for military, private and public groups from 1980 and 2000. They founded and operated tours as Flanders Tours for 12 of those years. Graham was honoured to have been made an Honorary Member of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides. Joanna is proud to promote the International Guild of Battlefield Guides and its Badged Guides. Members and Supporters are highlighted in our list of guides and tour companies.
Battlefield Tour Companies and Guides (from the United Kingdom)
These tour companies and guides offer all-inclusive tours starting from pick-up points in the United Kingdom.
Advance! Bespoke Battlefield Tours
Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG)
Telephone: +44 (0)1728 603 645
Website: www.advancebattlefieldtours.co.uk
Anglia Tours Ltd.
ABTA No. Y3463; ATOL Protected; stf (School Travel Forum) Assured Member; Quality Badge from the Council for Learing Outside the Classroom.
Address: First Floor, Charles House, Kelvedon Road, Inworth, Essex CO5 9SH
Telephone: +44 (0)1376 - 574 130
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.angliatours.co.uk
Anglia Tours has an established reputation for organizing high quality tours to the First World War battlefields amongst other historical tours. Colonel Alain Chissel, TD, is director of Anglia Tours and a Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG).
Experienced and expert guides offer a range of guided tours suitable for individuals, schools and military groups. Anglia Tours also specializes in organizing private tours for “Friends and Family”. These tours offer a personalized pilgrimage for small parties of friends and family members, providing an unforgettable experience in the shared experience of following in the footsteps of relatives, military units or the men and women named on the local war memorial.
Back-Roads Touring Co. Battlefield Tours
Members of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG)
Telephone: +44 (0)208 9870 99
Website: www.backroadstouring.co.uk
Battle Honours
Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG) Badged Guides
Telephone: +44 (0)1438 791 020
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.battle-honours.co.uk
The UK's leading battlefield tour company providing well-established, carefully researched walking battlefield tours. Every tour is accompanied by at least one badged member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG), who will act as guide, host and organizer: lead guides and founders of Battle Honours are Clive Harris (GBG Badge no. 33) and Julian Whippy (GBG Badge no. 31). Photographer Mike St Maur Sheil is a key member of the team (GBG Badge no. 38).
Tours with Battle Honours feature:
- Scheduled walking tours of up to 16 persons to a wide range of locations on the battlefields on the 1914-1918 Western Front.
- Bespoke tours tailored to meet the requirements of groups of varying sizes from the military, schools, clubs or associations.
- Tours in association with The Western Front Association.
Bird Battlefield Tours
Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG)
Telephone: +44 (0)20 8752 0956 or +44 (0)1243 789077
Website: www.birdbattlefieldtours.com
The Cultural Experience
ATOL Protected No. T10153; Travel Trust Association Member No. U6964
Address: The Cultural Experience, 8 Barnack Business Park, Blakey Road, Salisbury SP1 2LP
Telephone: (UK) 0345 475 1815; (International) +44 1722 340699
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.battlefieldtours.com
The Cultural Experience is a tour company highly recommended by its customers. All tours are led by expert guides, including leading historians, academics and retired officers.
The company specializes in history tours including a wide range of battlefield tours from 19th century to the modern day. WW1 tours include Haig on the Western Front, the Gallipoli campaign and the Western Front. Tours are accompanied by expert military historians. Bespoke tours can be arranged for individuals, a group of friends or members of a club or association.
Discovery Battlefield Tours
Associate Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG); Serenity Travel Trusts (Package Travel, Package Holidays & Package Tour Regulations 1992)
Telephone: +44 (0)2380 986 523
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.discoverybattlefieldtours.com
Bespoke tours for 1-4 people to the battlefields of the Western Front and Normandy beaches specialising in guests wishing to follow in the footsteps of a relative. Tours are relaxed, friendly and informal. For more information on the type of tours we offer please visit the Discovery Battlefield Tours website.
Eyewitness Tours
Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG)
Telephone: +44 (0)1306 - 880 960
Website: www.eyewitnesstours.com
Galina Battlefield Tours
Official Tour Operators to the Normandy Veterans Association; Member of ABTA No. Y4466
Address: Galina International Battlefield Tours, 16 Bridge Street Row, Chester, CH1 1NQ
Telephone: 01244 340 777
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.wartours.com
Galina Battlefield Tours offer tours for large groups (17-49 persons), small groups (6-16 persons), individuals and couples (1-5 persons). Galina has been arranging tours for adult groups since 1989 including military personnel, Rotarians, corporate organizations, groups of friends, literary societies and the University of the Third Age. Tour itineraries can be set by Galina or can be tailored to suit the requirements of the size of your group, your travel dates, accommodation needs, travel preferences and the places you wish to visit. Self-drive tour itineraries are also available.
For full details and to request a free quotation see the Galina International Battlefield Tours website.
Galloway
Telephone: 01449 765861
Email: www.travel-galloway.com Contact form
Website: www.travel-galloway.com WW1 Centenary Tours
All-inclusive Continental coach holidays including a four-day tour package to the Ypres Salient and Somme battlefields.
Great Rail Journeys
See our page:
Guided Battlefield Tours
Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG); Member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisors Trust (ABTOT)
Telephone: +44 (0)1633 - 258 207
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.guidedbattlefieldtours.co.uk
A well-established, family-based battlefield tour company run by Susan and Steve Cocks. Tours are limited to a maximum of 32 people and travellers are assured of a high quality, well-researched tour. Visit the website for information about tours, dates and prices.
In the Footsteps
Supporter & Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG); Member of the European Tour Operator Association (ETOA) and Recommended and rated Excellent on Trip Advisor
Telephone: +44 (0)1989 - 565 599
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.inthefootsteps.com
In the Footsteps Battlefield Tours provide expert guided tours for individuals, couples and groups. We specialise in providing tours for those wanting to Follow in the Footsteps of their ancestors or a particular unit, as well as the more general tour of the battlefields. Our expert guides can cover tours of Pre 20th Century Wars, the First World War and Second World War.
Kimber Battlefield Tours
Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG)
Telephone: +44 (0)592 - 642 466
Website: www.kimberbattlefieldtours.co.uk
Guides Paul Trickett and Phil Adams are members of the Guild of Battlefield Guides. Paul and Phil both served in the Royal Marines.
Leger Holidays Guided Battlefield Tours
ABTA No. V43582; ATOL No. 3880
Telephone: +44 (0)1709 385 624
Website: www.visitbattlefields.co.uk
Leger Holidays are the leading provider of escorted Battlefield tours and offer the widest range of tours visiting sites from WW1, WW2 and other significant wars, including Waterloo, the American Civil War and the Boer and Zulu Wars of South Africa. What’s more, each tour is led by a Specialist Battlefield Guide whose knowledge and expertise help bring history alive, giving you the ultimate battlefield tour experience. Call or visit the website to request a brochure.
Mercat Tours International Ltd.
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Complies with EC Directive on Package Holidays; Member of the Travel Trust Association
Address: Mercat Tours International Ltd., 28 Blair Street, Edinburgh EH1 1QR
Telephone: +44 (0)131 225 5445
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mercattoursinternational.com
Mercat Tours International has been leading independent adult group tours and school tours to the battlefields of the Great War since 1996. Our accredited guides bring the stories of WWI to life focusing on the experience of soldiers on the Front Line and the pals battalions. Established by an ex principal history teacher, Mercat Tours International now operates tours to D-Day Landings in Normandy, Berlin and Poland in addition to the battlefields of WW1. Visit the website for more information, dates, prices and availability.
Mr Scott's Tours
Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG) Badged Guides; Member ETOA (European Tourism Association)
Telephone: +44 (0)1420 475567
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mrscottstours.com
Mr Scott’s Tours offers a warm welcome, providing friendly, flexible and relaxed tours for small to large groups such as regimental associations, livery companies, business groups or families or friends. Mike Scott has thirty years experience of guiding battlefield tours. Mike and the team of guides operate tours throughout the UK, Europe and the world. The experienced guides are accredited as Badged Guides with the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG). Visit the website to find out more or email your enquiry to discuss a tour.
Newmarket Holidays: Battlefield Tours
ABTA No. V787X, J159X; Partner to the Royal British Legion in the Remembrance Travel Programme for Commemorative Tours
Telephone: 0330 160 7703 (standard charges apply)
Website: www.newmarketholidays.co.uk Battlefields of World War One
Founded in 1983, Newmarket Holidays is part of the Newmarket Group. It is one of the largest independently owned tour operators in the United Kingdom. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War Newmarket Holidays is offering four day guided coach tours to the battlefields of World War One in northern France and Belgian Flanders. Tours take place between May and October 2015. For more information about tour details, hotels, departure dates and customer reviews visit the website.
On The Go Tours
ABTA No. W4479; ATOL No. 6109; AITO No. 5096; AITO 4 Sustainable Tourism Stars; Travel Compensation Fund Participant
Telephone: +44 (0)207 371 1113
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.onthegotours.com
On The Go Tours offers a range of battlefield tours to a number of worldwide destinations including The Boer & Zulu Wars in South Africa, The Burma Railway (combined with the Burmese Water Festival), The Siege of Leningrad, The Borneo Death March and Ranau Track and The Vietnam War. First World War destinations include tours featuring ANZAC forces on the First World War battlefields of the Western Front and Gallipoli. For details of battlefield tours see the website page at:
Website: www.onthegotours.com Battlefield Tours
Pillow
Telephone: +44 (0)7970 - 065 852
Website: www.pillow.co.uk
Rail Holidays & Battlefield Tours
See our page:
Remembrance Travel
Badged Guide No. 12 and Supporter of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG)
Telephone: 020 3207 2321
Website: www.remembrancetravel.org.uk
Remembrance Travel (formerly Poppy Travel) is a subsidy of The Royal British Legion, working with tour operator Newmarket Travel. The “Journeys of Remembrance” tour programme offers battlefield tours to many destinations. Tours are led by experienced military historians who combine the historical information with the personal pilgrimages for travellers wishing to visit particular places of action and commemoration.
Reveille Tours
Telephone: +44 (0) 1304 240820
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.reveillebattlefieldtours.co.uk
Reverend Canon Bruce Hawkins, guide to the battlefields for over 25 years, specialises in taking small groups of people to visit the major battlefields of the First and Second World Wars. Tour guests travel in groups up to eight people in an air-conditioned, executive minibus. Accommodation is arranged as appropriate for the tour in guest houses, hotels or historic mansions. Bruce will be pleased to discuss a bespoke tour for groups of friends or families wishing to visit places of personal interest.
Rifleman Tours
Rifleman Tours is in association with Avanti Travel Insurance of Avanti Insurance Limited, registered in England No. 03882026
Telephone: +44 (0)1908 617264
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.riflemantours.co.uk
Run by a husband and wife team Rifleman Tours is a battlefield tour company based in the UK, specializing in small group tours of between 12 and 18 people to the WW1 battlefields of France and Belgium. Prices include executive coach travel and good quality accommodation. Tours are suitable for first time visitors and those with more specialist knowledge alike.
Rifleman Tours offer a number of tours scheduled during the year. Visitors wishing to pay their respects to a grave or visit a particular place of action during a tour can be accommodated (advance notice is required). Bespoke tours can also be planned around a group wanting to study a particular theme or visit special places of action.
Shearings Holidays: Battlefield Tours
Winner British Travel Awards 2012; ABTA No. V6468; Member of the Bonded Coach Holiday Group of the Confederation Of Passenger Transport UK Ltd.
Telephone: 0844 824 6351
Website: www.shearings.com Battlefields
Shearings is the UK's number one coach holiday tour operator and has been organizing tours for over 100 years. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War Shearings is offering high quality guided coach tours and river cruises to the WW1 battlefields of the Western Front in France and Belgium. Shearings also offers WW2 tours and cruises.
Groups of all sizes - students, cadets, military personnel, associations - are very welcome to make enquiries at 01942 823 447.
For more detailed information visit the Shearings website or call to discuss your enquiry.
Skylark Battlefield Tours
Telephone: +44 (0)1354 696 779
Website: www.skylarkbattlefieldtours.co.uk
Spirit of Remembrance
Fully licensed and bonded tour specialists in ANZAC, British, Canadian, American and tailor-made tours. Badged guides & members of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG).
Telephone: 01634 233785
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.spiritofremembrance.com
Fully licensed battlefield tour company and travel agency led by a highly experienced team in travel and tourism combined with expert ex-Service guides with many years of experience in battlefield guiding. WW1 tours are just some of the destinations available for booking. Spirit of Remembrance not only offers travellers to the battlefields the means to visit all the major sites, but also provides a variety of tailor-made opportunities for travellers to personalize a tour, whether wishing to travel as a group or an individual.
Visit the Spirit of Remembrance website to read in detail about the many and varied tour and learning opportunities available, including:
- Platinum tailor-made tours
- Day tours: ANZAC, Canadian and Waterloo
- 2 - 8 day inclusive tours
- Tailor-made tours for individuals and groups of all sizes.
- Theme tours such as photography, painting and poetry.
- “Who were they? Tours”: Personal tours helping you to trace your military ancestor, discover their story and build a tour around their story.
Take Us Touring
Telephone: +44 (0)1989 565599
Email: [email protected]
Website: takeustouring.com
Specialising in private group tours to the battlefields for groups of 10 or more.
Dr. Thomson's Tours
Badged Guide with the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG)
Telephone: +44 (0)1227 - 455 922
Website: www.drttours.co.uk
Tours can be arranged by Dr Andrew Thomson for individuals, large or small groups, couples, corporate organizations, clubs and conferences. Dr Thomson is Badged Guide No. 14 with the Guild of Battlefield Guides.
Williamsomme Tours
Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides
Telephone: +44 (0)7848 976 142
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.williamsommetours.co.uk
Williamsomme Tours is a small, highly rated company offering bespoke tours of the Western Front for groups of 4-6, between March and November each year.
Mike Williamson has been operating the company since 2008. Since March 2015 he has been joined by Giles Guthrie. Giles is a former museum curator and a member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides. Giles will research family members' roles in the Great War (free of charge) and tours will be arranged accordingly and will include visits to many of the major sites.
The guided tours are all-inclusive (included is travel, B&B, restaurant meals, picnics, refreshments and museum entrance fees). Guests are accommodated in a beautiful 5-bedroom Somme farmhouse around 30 minutes' drive from Amiens. Visit the website for further details of tours and photos of the accommodation.
Related Topics
Visiting the WW1 Western Front Battlefields
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Advice and useful information about travelling, accommodation and tourist information for visitors to the Western Front battlefields:
Visiting WW1 Western Front Battlefields
Battlefields of the Western Front
Pages on the battlefields by area including comprehensive listings and locations of military cemeteries, main memorials, battle remains, museums and accommodation:
Yser Battlefields & the Belgian Coast The Ypres Salient, Flanders, Belgium French Flanders and Artois The Somme, Picardie, FranceInternational Guild of Battlefield Guides
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The International Guild of Battlefield Guides is for guides with a specialism in battlefield history, providing an organization where guides can meet one another, share information and approaches to the subject. Members of the Guild can take part in an accreditation programme to become a “Badged Guide”. Visit:
Website: www.gbg-international.com
Somme Battlefields' Partner, France
The Somme Battlefields' Partner is a new network for visitors to the Somme, where local professionals involved in tourism and the history of this battlefield area have come together. The Somme Battlefields' Partner website is at:
Website: www.somme-battlefields.com
Battlefield Tours
Battlefield Tour Companies and Guides based in Belgium and France
Cycling Routes & Tours on the WW1 Battlefields
Self-drive Itineraries & Tours of the WW1 Battlefields