Guided Tours
We have been visiting the Western Front, both France and Flanders, for over 35 years, having first visited Ypres (Ieper or Wipers) in Belgium as the guest of Lyn Macdonald, the renowned Great War author. It was her books that inspired Martin to begin writing. My Books
The Great War Battlefields of 1914-18 fascinate everyone who visits and many visitors come back time and again to areas which seem so peaceful and rural. It is hard to believe that during the Great War the landscape was so ravaged that villages and woods were obliterated and all that remained was mud and brick dust.
We can offer tours of
- The Somme Battlefields of 1916 and 1918.
- The Flanders Battlefields of 1914 to 1917 including the famous Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres.
- The Verdun Battlefield of 1916. Verdun is 180 miles away so please note that a tour would involve the additional cost of overnight accommodation.
- The Normandy Beaches. We can offer a tour of the WW2 beach landings but again this would require a minimum of one night's overnight accommodation in the area. The beaches are a 4 hour journey from our home, although Martin can arrange to meet guests there.
“Martin's tour was fabulous; everyone, including our children, have commented on how it made such a difference to our visit and appreciation of the history. It was handled very sensitively. Please pass on our thanks and appreciation.”
Motorcycle Tours
Whilst we specialise in Motorcycle Tours, we also offer tours by car or on foot.
Car Tours
We can arrange short duration, personalised tours, with or without the use of our bed and breakfast accommodation. We are happy to meet you at your hotel or guest house after breakfast and deliver you back there at the end of the day.
For those who have little or no knowledge of the First World War, a tour may comprise a one-day introduction to the battlefields or a more in-depth look at specific areas and battles for those who want to know more. For example, a typical day for a Somme Battlefield Tour would begin with a short briefing on the overall history of the area, setting the scene followed by a closer look at the battlefield in its historical context. This tour would, of course, take you to you to the most important memorials but will also include some more obscure sites where Martin has interesting stories or anecdotes that bring the battles to life.
Any requests to make specific visits [to see a relative’s grave, for example] will be accommodated, if at all possible. Please advise in advance though so that we can re-order the itinerary if necessary.
If you have a group larger than our car can cope with, we can hire a large people carrier at your cost (under 100 euros for a full day’s hire at 2010 prices).
Walking Tours
Unless you are staying with us at Orchard Farm, Martin will meet you at a pre-arranged rendezvous – maybe your hotel or guest house or at one of the key sites here, such as the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. A walking tour is not a route march and would cover some 5 to 7 fairly gentle miles. The advantages of walking are seeing the terrain from the soldier’s point of view and a greater ability to cover the ground that was so bitterly fought over.
Contact us to discuss your requirements and to check prices.
“We had an amazing time with you and as we approach Anzac Day on the 25th April, we are doing so with much more insight and in a way, with a heavy heart, as we feel far more enlightened on the subject of Australians at war. The massacres in France was mind blowing for us both. We knew so little about it before you spent time with us.” (Quote from an email following an Australian tour in March 2010)