Wilfred Owen
This tour is designed to visit poignant and pertinent locations for an understanding of the history and environment that prevailed during the Great War in order to better appreciate the times and conditions that generated so much poetry and prose that we study today.
The tour visits sites on the Somme and follows the Wilfred Owen Trail that traces his last days in 1918.
Excursions
Day 1: Depart School for the journey to the Western Front. Visit Wellington Quarry en route.
Day 2: The Somme. Guided visit of the Somme battlefield, weaponry demonstration, Somme 1916 Museum.
Day 3: The Wilfred Owen Trail - Maison Forestiere, Sambre-Oise Canal, Ors cemetery. Joncourt
Day 4: Depart after breakfast. Optional visit to Serre (inspiration for "The Sentry" and "Exposure") before ferry return to the UK.
This itinerary, while popular is entirely flexible and can be of any duration with content to reflect the emphasis preferred by the group leader.
It can also be extended to include a day in the Ypres Salient and a visit to Essex Farm dressing station where the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" was written by John McCrae in 1915.
Accommodation
Poppies, Albert
Excellent school accommodation and a popular choice for groups.
- The centre is located 5 minutes from the centre of the town and can accommodate up to three coaches at one time – 186 persons on 4 floors.
- Students are accommodated in multi-bed rooms and accompanying adults have twin/single bed rooms - all have private facilities.
- It is possible for a group to be allocated a floor for its sole use.
- Meals are full board with a packed lunch; dinner is in a local restaurant.
- Swimming and bowling are nearby and in-house amenities include a games room, space for evening study sessions, teacher staff room and there is a football pitch opposite.
