The Somme

The 1st July 1916 remains the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army with 19,240 lives lost. The agricultural landscape and tiny villages that make up the Somme battlefields remain largely unchanged which allows us to get a good sense for what the troops saw and endured.

Perhaps you want to follow in the footsteps of a relative on a highly personalised tour, or maybe you are a first time visitor to the region. Here are some suggestions on must-see battlefield sites.

• Sheffield Memorial Park - hear the personal stories of the Pals’ battalions and their disastrous attack on 1st July 1916

• Thiepval Memorial to the Missing - the stunning Lutyens memorial bears the names of more than 72,000 men who have no known grave

• Delville Wood - a truly atmospheric part of the battlefield, Delville Wood is where the South African Brigade were launched into a baptism of fire. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a Springbok!

• Beaumont Hamel - walk through original British trenches and see just how close the opposing armies were to each other

• Lochnagar Crater - walk around the lip of a mine crater and understand what fighting underground entailed

Who Long Should I Spend on the Somme Battlefields?

You will need at least two full days on the Somme to soak up the atmosphere.

Where Can I Stay on the Somme?

There are some lovely rustic B&Bs right on the battlefields but if you’d prefer a hotel, we suggest making Arras your base.

I’d like to spend most the day walking the battlefields, could we do that please?

Of course, it’s the best way to see and experience the ground and discuss what it would have been like for soldiers 100+ years ago.