timsanders Posted 26 July , 2017 Share Posted 26 July , 2017 On holiday in France with two young children in August and wanted to visit the Newfoundland Memorial Park and Thiepval. As I don't expect to drag the family around Great War sites for the whole of our stay (staying south of Amiens) I want to make the most of what I can see so wondered if I could take in the Hawthorn Ridge Crater and the Sunken Lane on the same visit and if so what the best route and order I should take? Also which are taken on foot and where we should park etc. If it was just the wife and I we'd roll up and have a ramble about but with the young ones in tow I thought it prudent to be well planned Thanks T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 26 July , 2017 Share Posted 26 July , 2017 (edited) Yes, taking them all in is very possible. I would park at Newfoundland Park and walk down through the park and on through Beaumont-Hamel and on to the sunken lane and Hawthorn Crater, before walking back up through the park. You can then drive to Thiepval. There is a useful map here http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/somme/beaumont.html and the rest of that website is useful when planning trips. Edited 26 July , 2017 by Gareth Davies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timsanders Posted 27 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 27 July , 2017 21 hours ago, Gareth Davies said: Yes, taking them all in is very possible. I would park at Newfoundland Park and walk down through the park and on through Beaumont-Hamel and on to the sunken lane and Hawthorn Crater, before walking back up through the park. You can then drive to Thiepval. There is a useful map here http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/somme/beaumont.html and the rest of that website is useful when planning trips. Really helpful, thanks Gareth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dah Posted 29 July , 2017 Share Posted 29 July , 2017 Subject to how young your 'young ones' are, I'd advise caution if considering going into Hawthorn crater - as opposed to just viewing it from the edge. Unless there've been any improvements since the last time I went there, there is no obvious or safe path into the crater. The sides are steep and wooded. If they are nimble, sure-footed and sensible - then you're probably OK. Personally, having been inside the crater a few times, I've now come to the opinion that the experience of being inside the crater (nothing more exciting than walking through a wood) isn't worth the risk of descent. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timsanders Posted 1 August , 2017 Author Share Posted 1 August , 2017 On 29/07/2017 at 18:16, dah said: Subject to how young your 'young ones' are, I'd advise caution if considering going into Hawthorn crater - as opposed to just viewing it from the edge. Unless there've been any improvements since the last time I went there, there is no obvious or safe path into the crater. The sides are steep and wooded. If they are nimble, sure-footed and sensible - then you're probably OK. Personally, having been inside the crater a few times, I've now come to the opinion that the experience of being inside the crater (nothing more exciting than walking through a wood) isn't worth the risk of descent. David Noted, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Wood Posted 1 August , 2017 Share Posted 1 August , 2017 Between B-H and Thiepval is the Ulster Tower, well worth a stop if only for an ice cream or a cup of tea - if you can be there at the right time for a tour of Thiepval Wood that would be a real bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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