Ypres & Passchendaele: Private Battlefield Tour with WW1 Trenches

Summary

Walk WW1 history at Ypres, Tyne Cot & Hill 60 with a guide

You’ll walk through quiet fields and preserved trenches on this private Ypres battlefield tour, guided by someone who knows every story by heart. Hear about soldiers at Hill 60, visit Tyne Cot Cemetery’s endless rows, stand where ‘In Flanders Fields’ was written — and see how memory lingers in small details.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — we got lost trying to find the meeting spot in Ieper (my fault, not the guide’s). When we finally spotted Mark by the station, he just grinned and waved us over like it happened every day. That set the tone: no rush, just stories and patience. The air was damp, a bit earthy, and I kept noticing how quiet everything felt compared to what you’d expect from a place so full of history.

Mark started our private Ypres battlefield tour with a quick drive out of town. He asked about my great-grandfather right away — turns out his own family fought here too. We stopped at Essex Farm Cemetery where he pointed to the spot John McCrae wrote ‘In Flanders Fields’. There was this faint smell of cut grass and something floral I couldn’t place. Mark read a few lines aloud — not dramatic or anything, just soft — and I realized I’d never really understood that poem until then.

At Hill 60, he described the mines going up in 1917; you could still see scars in the ground if you looked close. The wind picked up and rattled some old trees while he talked about Australian and Canadian troops moving through mud that must have been knee-deep. We tried to say “Passchendaele” properly (I failed), which got a laugh from Mark — apparently everyone does. The preserved trenches at Sanctuary Wood were narrow and cold inside; touching the rough timber made it all feel weirdly close.

Tyne Cot Cemetery was overwhelming — endless white stones stretching out under low clouds. Mark told us only a quarter of them had names. He found two Victoria Cross recipients’ graves for us, but honestly it was just standing there in silence that hit me hardest. On the way back into Ypres, we passed fields where poppies were starting to open up along the edges. Not sure why but that part stuck with me more than anything else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private 4-hour Ypres battlefield tour

• Meet at chosen Ieper location
• Visit Hill 60 and hear mine story
• See original WW1 trenches and museum
• Explore Tyne Cot Cemetery
• Learn about first German gas attack
• Visit Essex Farm Cemetery hospital site

Top questions

How long is the private Ypres battlefield tour?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours and covers around 37-40 km of the Ypres Salient area.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, pickup is included from your accommodation in Ieper or from Ieper railway station.

What sites are visited on this day trip?

You’ll visit Essex Farm Cemetery, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Hill 60, preserved WW1 trenches at Sanctuary Wood, and more key locations.

Are there any accessibility options?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels; infants can ride in prams or sit on an adult’s lap.

Can the tour be customized if I have ancestors who fought here?

Yes, your guide will tailor parts of the route if you have relatives who served or fell in these battles.

How many people can join this private battlefield tour?

The standard price covers up to four people; larger groups should contact the guide in advance for arrangements.

Are tickets or entry fees included?

No extra entry fees are required for any of the sites visited during this battlefield tour.

Is bottled water provided during the tour?

Bottled water is included as part of your experience.

What’s included

Your half-day includes pickup from your chosen spot in Ieper (hotel or station), all site visits such as Essex Farm Cemetery and Tyne Cot Cemetery with your local guide’s stories along each stop, time inside preserved WW1 trenches at Sanctuary Wood (unless closed Dec–Feb), plus bottled water throughout the journey.