Ypres Salient

Some of the major battles of WW1 took place around Ypres and the surrounding battlefield area, known as the Salient. Ypres (Ieper in Flemish) became a symbol of British and French defiance as it was the last part of Belgium not overrun by the Germans. Four horrific battles took place around Ypres - involving British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand troops - but despite being totally destroyed by German shellfire, it never fell to the invading Germans.

The four battles of Ypres produced horrendous casualties and witnessed the first use of Gas, extensive tunneling and the laying of mines on a major scale, plus the famous Christmas Truce in 1914. But perhaps the name that is forever linked with the Salient is the Battle of Passendale (also Passchendale) in 1917, a three month battle that is now a byword for colossal human loss with little gain. In military history it will always be a controversial campaign. We have daily tours to the main sites - and other points of interest - as detailed below.

Battlefield Tour Information

We offer two half-day guided battlefield tours to Ypres Salient:

Morning Tour - 4 hours

This half-day battlefield tour covers the northern sector of the surrounding battlefields and deals with the three major battles that took place in the area. It also covers the main cemeteries, memorials, trenches and would normally include: Essex Farm cemetery; German Langemarck cemetery; the Brooding Solder; Tyne Cot cemetery and Passchendaele, the role of the Canadians, ANZACS and the famous trenches at Hill 62.

Personal guided battlefield tours are also available.

Afternoon Tour - 3 hours:

This half-day battlefield tour deals mainly with the highly successful Battle of Messines in 1917 and would normally include some of the impressive Mine Craters; Hill 60; The Irish Peace Park; German trenches; scene of the Christmas truce; and the Ploegsteert Memorial. We specialize in the Irish dimension and contribution in World War 1.

Interactive map of the Ypres Salient Battlefield Tour

Read more about the various stages of this battlefield tour

Click the coloured circles on the map...