Historical Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 98% of travellers
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£122
per adult
The Battlefields Experience
The Battlefields Experience
5
Full view
About
We are Jackie and Rod Bedford, both British ex military, we have for the past twenty years provided fully guided Battlefield Tours throughout Europe. We offer a numerous single or multiple day tours to the WW1 Battles of the Somme, Arras and Ypres, and the Normandy beaches, for individuals or groups. Each itinerary can be customised to suit your Nationality and interest and we pick up in Lille, Arras, Albert and Amiens. Private bespoke tours and family research also undertaken, don't forget to tell us if you have a relative or particular interest so that we can include this in your tour, we use the latest technology of a GPS overlaid onto WW1 trench maps to allow you to literally walk in their footsteps. Fully licensed and insured under French law.
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Historical Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£182
per adult
Travellers talk about
(10 reviews)
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5.0
352 reviews
Excellent
334
Very good
13
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
3
DavidandHelen B
4 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The tour was amazing. Rod our guild was so informative and the day was full on. We learnt so much and it was a very moving experience visiting the battlegrounds where so many fought and died. If you are going to do a tour, this one shouldn't be missed. Thank you Rod and Jackie, it was an incredible if somber day
Written 9 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise P
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
Excellent trip. Rod was so knowledgeable. There were plenty of stops and ample time at each one. We had the calendar of moves from grandpa’s regiment and Rod went out of his way to take us to places he had been
Written 28 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean F
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Friends
Thanks to Rod for a memorable day on the Fromelles and Ypres tour. Rod was a knowledgable and engaging guide throughout the tour. His military background provided personal and unique insights, mixed with humour, and Rod was able to quickly tailor aspects of the day for us on the go. A poignant and memorable day that provided an excellent foundation to the history of the Western Front.
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenneth M
Glasgow, UK2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Spent an incredible day with Rod on the Somme battlefield tour. Knowledgeable, patient and always happy to provide a detailed insight into the historical events that caused, unfolded and finally led to the end of WW1.
As an ex WO in the grenadier guards, he gave a unique worms eye view of all the strategically significant events on the Somme battlefield. He tempered the facts with both respect and humour which gave us one of the most memorable days of our 5 week tour.
As an ex WO in the grenadier guards, he gave a unique worms eye view of all the strategically significant events on the Somme battlefield. He tempered the facts with both respect and humour which gave us one of the most memorable days of our 5 week tour.
Written 12 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JC1990
4 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Our tour was led by Jacky and it was brilliant. The depth and breadth of her knowledge was excellent and she was able to bring the awful experiences of the soldiers to life. The monuments and memorials were beautiful and incredibly moving. Overall I would highly recommend this tour to anybody interested in visiting the WW1 battlefields and learning about the War.
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
williambJ8138XG
San Diego, CA3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Did a half day tour as I wanted to experience WW1 battlefield sites
I have been to many historical war sites all over the world but not WW1
Was informative and what I liked was that the guide also discussed the WW11 areas that were fought in the Somme region as well
I have been to many historical war sites all over the world but not WW1
Was informative and what I liked was that the guide also discussed the WW11 areas that were fought in the Somme region as well
Written 3 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathi B
Melbourne7 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This is an excellent tour. Rod is an extremely knowledgeable guide with a talent for creating an enjoyable atmosphere for a small group. He is a natural storyteller and is obviously committed to sharing the stories of those who fell in a way that is both compassionate and educational. We would most certainly recommend this tour.
Written 21 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy P
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Couples
The two days we spent with Rob discovering the WW1 battlefields, visiting memorials and tracing the final footsteps of my great grandfather were educational, informative,sometimes amusing and ultimately provided answers to a 105 year old family question. Robs military knowledge, extensive knowledge of WW1 history and the Commonwealth War Graves helped us understand the complexity of the battles of WW1 and the continued efforts to locate and identify the missing. Highly recommend.
Written 13 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lindacondon2
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
We were really impressed with the knowledge and information that Jackie shared with us. We have four children with us under 15 years of age and Jackie went to a lot of trouble to make sure that they were fully engaged. Her background in the military me at that we had clear and interesting explanations of the intricacies of the war in 1916 and the two days we spent with her were well worth it. I would highly recommend this tour.
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pam V
Albert Town, New Zealand42 contributions
Rod picked us up from Arras Train Station and delivered a fantastic full day tour of the Somme region, and focused on the New Zealand and Australian involvement in the war. His knowledge is outstanding and his commentary was extremely interesting and informative. Rod took us to different areas and pointed out where the ANZACs and British forces were place on the battlefield in certain places.The tour was far more than we expected, and we would thoroughly recommend this company to anyone.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tanooch
Warrandyte, Australia5 contributions
Hi,
I am very interested in retracing my great uncles footsteps who died in the battle of Dernancourt on 4th April 1918.
Our family is traveling around Europe from March until Aug and we will be staying in Oignies between 5-8th April so we can visit sites and remember our diggers
Do you offer tailored tours where we might be able to visit specific sites where he fought, died and is buried. If you do not, could you please recommend a somebody who might.
His name was Timothy Donovan 46th battalion 12 Brigade. 4th Division. Fought at Bullecourt (11th April 1917), Passendale(Approx Oct/Nov 1917) & Dernancourt (died 4th April 1918).
Buried at Millencourt.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Shaun
tanooch
Warrandyte, Australia5 contributions
I cannot find email address on website to make contact. Can you please provide
snollyghosster
Port Stephens1 contribution
Hi Jackie.
We are booked on a private tour with your company departing from Ypres on May 12th, 2018 for 9 people. My emails to Isabelle have gone unanswered for over a month now. I have had no response to the voice message left on the phone number on your website, nor messages sent via Facebook and Messenger. Please contact me as I am concerned now about the lack of contact / information regarding our tour and want to make sure everything is ok. Thanks, Kim Bailey.
Jackie B
Mailly-Maillet, France34 contributions
Hi Kim, good to talk to you today, we look forward to taking you on tour and I will get that personalised itinerary to you shortly.
Jackie
Carolyn S
Akaroa, New Zealand11 contributions
Hi Jackie & Rob
We are a couple traveling from New Zealand arriving in Brussels on the 24 May and have to be in Paris on the 31st May.
We have ancestors that thought at Passchendaele etc and we are keen to follow the footsteps of the New Zealanders.
Could you accomodate us and make up a personalised tour for a few days during this time.
In anticipation
Carolyn and Mark
Carolyn S
Akaroa, New Zealand11 contributions
Hi Jackie & Rob
We are a couple traveling from New Zealand arriving in Brussels on the 24 May and have to be in Paris on the 31st May.
We have ancestors that thought at Passchendaele etc and we are keen to follow the footsteps of the New Zealanders.
Could you accomodate us and make up a personalised tour for a few days during this time.
In anticipation
Carolyn and Mark
Jackie B
Mailly-Maillet, France34 contributions
Dear Carolyn and Mark
thank you for your e mail, we can provide a three day tour on the 29th, 30th and 31st finishing at Arras where you could get the 1817hrs train into Paris at the end of the tour. This tour covers the areas of Armentieres and Ypres, Le Quesnoy and Arras and the Somme NZ memorials. Please contact our website direct for further information.
Regards Jackie
tosl
Jersey City, NJ780 contributions
I need to cancel my reservation on April 4th, 2018. I sent an email to battlefields address but the phone number did not seem to work. i just want to ensure you have received the cancellation. Thank you Marc Latasa
Jackie B
Mailly-Maillet, France34 contributions
Dear Marc,
we have received your request to cancel and we will process your refund in the next 24 hours. My apologies for the delay.
Thank you.
Mary J
Manchester, UK12 contributions
Does The Somme half day trip run on Sunday 10th June ? I want to visit Thiepval as my uncle's name is on the memorial there.I can stay in either Arras or Albert overnight.
Jackie B
Mailly-Maillet, France34 contributions
Thank you for your enquiry, the answer is yes. I see you have now booked via the website, thank you for your booking, we will be delighted to assist you in following in your Great Uncle's footsteps.
lena085
Bournemouth, UK210 contributions
Hello,
I'd like to know what the itinerary includes please- times, cost etc.
Thanks in advance.
Jackie B
Mailly-Maillet, France34 contributions
Thank you for your enquiry
We do various tours which are dependant on your Nationality, interests, where you are staying etc. If you could visit the website and contact us direct we can advise you-the link is on our tripadvisor listing. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards, Jackie Bedford
Michael E
Dallas, TX2 contributions
I am interested in a private WWI tour on April 9, 2016. I am travelling alone but can go in a small group or might considering doing it alone. English speaking. Any suggestions or leads would be greatly appreciated. Mike Eberhardt
ashbro2015
Adelaide, Australia
Hi there, is it possible you could arrange a private tour to Franvillers cemetery on Monday 12th October?
We can arrange to arrive in Amiens at any time from Paris.
I have the grave number of a family member I am keen to visit & there would be my wife & I only.
Regards Ashley
Jackie B
Mailly-Maillet, France34 contributions
Hi Ashley
I am afraid we are fully committed on Monday, sorry we cant help you on this occasion.
Good luck with finding someone.
Jackie
Pam D
Pinehurst, NC
Hi Jackie,
As you suggested, I sent an e-mail about 10 days or so ago to ask about arranging a private tour for four people in early October. I haven't heard back from you at all, so I'm wondering if you got my message. Please post your answer here. If you haven't gotten it, I will resend, or will call.
Thanks so much,
Pam
Jackie B
Mailly-Maillet, France34 contributions
Dear Pam, my apologies, I have just answered your e mail and then realised you requested a private tour, we can offer a private tour, as per the itineraries I sent but of course they are flexible so we can include Peronne for you, the cost for our Private tour is 600€ for the Somme area (8th October) and 760€ for the Ypres tour (9th October, includes the Menin gate). Museum entry fees included but no lunch. I suggest you stay at Ypres on the 9th and travel on from there- we could collect you from Amiens in the morning and you could stay overnight in Amiens or Arras, you would need to stay in Arras or Ypres after the Ypres tour as it is too far to return to Amiens afetr the Menin Gate service which takes place at 2000hrs. Hope that is all clear!!
I look forward to hearing from you
Jackie