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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Your favourite sites in the Somme Area


GlenBanna

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If you could pick only five sites to visit in the Somme area, which would you choose? There are so many interesting places it might help me prioritise my first visit next month.

Glen

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OK....with little thought, but places I visit whenever I can:-

Devonshire trench Cem

Dartmoor Cem

Sheffield Memorial park

Bell's Redoubt

Heilly Station Cem

The above in no particular order

Bruce

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OK....with little thought, but places I visit whenever I can:-

Devonshire trench Cem

Dartmoor Cem

Sheffield Memorial park

Bell's Redoubt

Heilly Station Cem

The above in no particular order

Bruce

Thanks Bruce

Glen

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I found the Mametz Wood - Bazentin Ridge - High Wood - Delville Wood area to be particularly poignant. I guess it depends on whether you want to focus on the 1st Day or the entire battle. Obviously Lochnanger, Thiepval and New Foundland Park are must sees.

Jon

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The New Zealand Memorial and the northern edge of High Wood, for the views across towards Bapaume and the Transloy Ridge. The ground that the Somme was all about after 15 September.

The Leuze/Bouleaux Woods and Combles. Rather different Somme country.

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I found the Mametz Wood - Bazentin Ridge - High Wood - Delville Wood area to be particularly poignant. I guess it depends on whether you want to focus on the 1st Day or the entire battle. Obviously Lochnanger, Thiepval and New Foundland Park are must sees.

Jon

Thanks Jon. My Grandfather fought at Beaumont Hamel with the 88th Brigade so that ones definitely on my list

Glen

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Here are mine in no particular order

Devonshire Cem

Thiepval Memorial

Beaumont Hamel

Sheffield Memorial Park

Avril Williams Tea Rooms

liam

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Glen,

1, High Wood

2, Mametz memorial

3, Barnefay Wood

4, Thistle Dump

5, Le Tommy Bar :lol:

Ian.

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I didn't include include Avril's on my list, as that is where I always stay in order to visit those favourite sites!

:lol:

Bruce

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I didn't include include Avril's on my list, as that is where I always stay in order to visit those favourite sites!

:lol:

Bruce

Thanks Ian and Bruce and also for recommending refreshments as well

Glen

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My 5 are:

Guillemont Road Cemetery - sheer beauty and tranquility

Lochnagar

Ulster Tower/Thiepval Wood

Sheffield Memorial Park/Serre

Y-ravine (Beaumont-Hamel)

Cheers,

Steve

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1. Ancre Valley Cem. First one I ever visited, in 1982.

2. Dantzig Alley Cem. For the views of the woods

3. Delville Wood. Esp'y on a clear cold night in Nov.

4. Approaching High Wood on foot.

5. White city and the sunken lane

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Only 5, thats tough as there are so many.

In no particular order.

Ovillers Cemetery looking over to La boiselle

The site of the former crucifix at Longueval opposite the Bristols Cross looking towards Montauban (dawn attack) then turn around a bit and look towards Bazentin, turn a bit more and look towards High Wood, then turn around a bit more and look towards Delville Wood, and turn a bit more towards Trones & Bernafay Wood.

Authuille Cemetery on a quiet summer evening.

Butte du Warlencourt

Lochnagar Crater & old blighty for a cuppa.

Reards

John

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If you could pick only five sites to visit in the Somme area, which would you choose? There are so many interesting places it might help me prioritise my first visit next month.

Glen

Glenbanna,

I've just come back from my first trip to the Somme and had a great time. I basically planned everything myself, did my homework and researched things I definitely wanted to include. The main focal point was to pay homage to a Gt Uncle who is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery and the the scene of his final action.

I personally enjoyed the whole experience although for 'wow' factor I'd list in no particular order;

tour of the Trenches in Thiepval Wood, nr Ulster Tower

Lochnagar Crater

views from any high ground overlooking the battlefield, ie., either side of the Ancre Valley.

1916 Museum in Albert

Delville Wood South African National memorial

- The highly recommended Trench Tour will need to be booked in advance, tour times are usually either 11am or 3.30pm, most days except Sundays and Mondays I believe. Apart from that you can follow your nose and go where you choose!

have fun!

Rich.

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Gommecourt Cemetery No 2

Wagon Road, Redan Ridge

Sunken Lane, Beaumont Hamel

Main road between Tara and Usna Hills overlooking La Boisselle and Ovillers

Devonshire Cemetery

THEN to Avril's for drinkies and din dins!

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Glen, it all depends on whether your are following ancestors footsteps or want an over all view.

If an over all view,

Hit the Official Histories and pick a major battlesite for each of the Allies.

Just a thought

Cheers

Kim

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Ulster Tower.

High Wood

Boom Ravine

Serre Battlefield

Mametz Wood and Death Valley

Could go on..........

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My top Five are as follows.

Ulster Tower

Thiepval

Delville Wood

Sunken Lane

Brave 9 men.

Regards,

Phil

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Glenbanna,

I've just come back from my first trip to the Somme and had a great time. I basically planned everything myself, did my homework and researched things I definitely wanted to include. The main focal point was to pay homage to a Gt Uncle who is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery and the the scene of his final action.

I personally enjoyed the whole experience although for 'wow' factor I'd list in no particular order;

tour of the Trenches in Thiepval Wood, nr Ulster Tower

Lochnagar Crater

views from any high ground overlooking the battlefield, ie., either side of the Ancre Valley.

1916 Museum in Albert

Delville Wood South African National memorial

- The highly recommended Trench Tour will need to be booked in advance, tour times are usually either 11am or 3.30pm, most days except Sundays and Mondays I believe. Apart from that you can follow your nose and go where you choose!

have fun!

Rich.

Thanks Rich. Really useful advice

How did you book the trench tour? eg can you book it online?

Regards Glen

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Gommecourt Cemetery No 2

Wagon Road, Redan Ridge

Sunken Lane, Beaumont Hamel

Main road between Tara and Usna Hills overlooking La Boisselle and Ovillers

Devonshire Cemetery

THEN to Avril's for drinkies and din dins!

Forgot to mention Gommecourt Cem no 2 with BMAC!

Liam

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Thanks Rich. Really useful advice

How did you book the trench tour? eg can you book it online?

Regards Glen

Hi Glen.

The tours must be booked in advance by contacting Teddy on teddy.ulstertower@orange.fr

The tours do not run every day so you must get in touch to agree a time and date. Entry to the wood is not allowed unless on the tour. There is a donation box on site so please make a contribution to help with development and maintainance. You will find the tour entertaining and informative and come away with a real feel for the men, and events that took place there.

Please note I have no commercial interest in the running of the tours.

Enjoy your tour

John

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Hi Glen.

The tours must be booked in advance by contacting Teddy on teddy.ulstertower@orange.fr

The tours do not run every day so you must get in touch to agree a time and date. Entry to the wood is not allowed unless on the tour. There is a donation box on site so please make a contribution to help with development and maintainance. You will find the tour entertaining and informative and come away with a real feel for the men, and events that took place there.

Please note I have no commercial interest in the running of the tours.

Enjoy your tour

John

Thanks for your time Rich will try to book a tour

Glen

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Thanks for your time Rich will try to book a tour

Glen

Hi GlenBanna,

It will add something to your trip - without doubt. Teddy who conducts the tour is so passionate about what he does, telling the story of the 36th Ulsters as if he were there.

- Thanks Old-ted for the email by the way (I booked via email too).

enjoy!

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Hi Glen.

The tours must be booked in advance by contacting Teddy on teddy.ulstertower@orange.fr

The tours do not run every day so you must get in touch to agree a time and date. Entry to the wood is not allowed unless on the tour. There is a donation box on site so please make a contribution to help with development and maintainance. You will find the tour entertaining and informative and come away with a real feel for the men, and events that took place there.

Please note I have no commercial interest in the running of the tours.

Enjoy your tour

John

Thanks for the information John

Regards Glen

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