Travelling Information

 

Unless otherwise arranged, all groups use a 49 or 70 seat executive coach fitted with seat belts, on board refreshment facilities, toilet and air conditioning (49 seat).

 

Crossing the channel will be via either Eurotunnel at Folkestone or P&O Ferries at Dover.

 

Coaches are provided by just a couple of companies enabling a well established working relationship to exist with each.

 

An additional and rather important feature is Skylark’s independent coach driver, whose experience and familiarity with the touring area and itineraries greatly enhances the relationship between the group and driver. Len Sackley drives the majority of tours using a 49 seat coach.

Accommodation on a battlefield tour

 

A variety of accommodation is available, ranging from large hotel chains, smaller village hotels or educational hostels. You may choose the level of accommodation to suit your group and needs. Groups of less than 15 persons will usually be accommodated in a hotel such as Ibis or Holiday Inn in twin rooms.

 

The preferred accommodation for tours with more than 15 persons is a group of three family run hotels in Ieper. These offer accommodation specifically for school groups with the added security of sole occupancy and bedrooms with en suite facilities. There is plenty of room in the recreational areas for evening activities with a quiet area, games room, courtyard garden and the new broadband computer suite is obviously quite popular. Skylark Battlefield Tours was their first customer and became involved in advising during the renovation and rebuilding stage of the hotels, this ensured the owners could be made aware of the needs and requirements of British school groups.

 

All accommodation used is regularly inspected and provides a range of facilities suitable for school groups.

 

All tours visiting the Somme and Ypres Salient are based in Belgium and will use accommodation in or just outside Ypres.

 

Tours based on the Somme will be centred on Arras or Amiens.

Accommodation is fully inclusive with breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal. Rooms consist of single beds in twin rooms and/or modern bunk beds for between 2 and 6 persons.

 

Staff are accommodated in single rooms whenever possible.

We are always within 20 minutes of a battlefield location.

 Clockwise (top): The Poppies and the Menin Gate hotels in Ypres, Hotel Moderne in Arras, The Munchenhof in Langemark