War Poets & War Literature

War Poets & War Literature

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War Poets & War Literature

5 Days Starting in Northern France and ending in Normandy, France

Visiting: France, Somme, Ors, Normandy, Tilly-sur-Seulles War Cemetery

Tour operator:

Leger Holidays

Tour code:

5pwbv

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

The experience of both World Wars provoked a huge amount of war poetry and literature. On this tour, Head Battlefield Guide Paul Reed is joined by Dr Victoria Humphreys – the author of two novels about WW2 – who will offer a fascinating insight into conflict through the eyes of poets and writers. We’ll hear the stories of Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves and Frank Richards, before exploring the complex life and relationships of Edward Thomas. With other highlights including Newfoundland Park, Wilfred Owen’s grave and the Battlefields of Normandy, this is an ideal tour for those looking to learn about the importance of war literature and poetry.

Highlights

  • Hear the stories of Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves and Frank Richards, before exploring the complex life and relationships of Edward Thomas

  • Examine the depiction of trench warfare in the pages of Great War literature via the preserved trenches at the Newfoundland Park on the Somme

  • With other highlights including Newfoundland Park, Wilfred Owen’s grave and the Battlefields of Normandy, this is an ideal tour for those looking to learn about the importance of war literature and poetry

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Travel To Northern France

Location: France

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Mercure Lille Airport or Ibis Styles Arras Centre

Meals Included: No Meals

Local departure by coach, then to our hotel in northern France where we stay for two nights.

Day 2 : Somme Poets – Wilfred Owen

Location: Somme, Ors

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Mercure Lille Airport or Ibis Styles Arras Centre

Meals Included: Breakfast

We begin on the battlefields of the Great War where we examine the Battle of the Somme. At Mametz and High Wood we bring together the stories of three poets and writers to bring the battle into sharp focus; Siegfried Sassoon who took part in the opening phase of the battle; Robert Graves who was wounded at High Wood; and Frank Richards, a working-class miner who wrote the classic ‘Old Soldiers Never Die’. We then examine some of the lesser-known writers and poets, and how the losses in the war affected the women left behind. In the afternoon we travel to Ors to look at the battlefield where one of the most iconic war poets, Wilfred Owen, fought. We see the canal where he died, walk the battlefield and visit his grave.

Day 3 : Edward Thomas – Normandy

Location: Normandy

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Ibis Styles Ouistreham

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we return to the First World War Battlefields, examining the complex life and relationships of poet and nature writer Edward Thomas, seeing his grave at Agny. We then examine the depiction of trench warfare in the pages of Great War literature via the preserved trenches at the Newfoundland Park on the Somme. After lunch we travel to Normandy, and move on to the subject of writing about the Second World War. At Ranville War Cemetery we visit the grave of John Jarmain – one of the WW2 war poets – and look at how the story of the Normandy campaign was depicted in poetry. We then continue to our hotel in Normandy for two nights.

Day 4 : War Poetry & Literature Of Ww2

Location: Tilly-sur-Seulles War Cemetery

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Ibis Styles Ouistreham

Meals Included: Breakfast

In Normandy, we uncover the details of the battles beyond D-Day in the Bocage Hedgerows, following the experiences of war poet Keith Douglas, visiting his grave at Tilly War Cemetery, and seeing the battlefield where he fought. We also examine some of the lesser-known soldier-authors, and how war trauma haunted many writers. Our afternoon is spent looking at the American involvement in Normandy through the writing of American authors who were there, and we’ll also hear more about the depiction of the French Resistance in fiction. Rounding the tour off at Bayeux War Cemetery, we look at how war continues to inspire writers and poets today.

Day 5 : Return Home

Location: Normandy

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Additional Services

    Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point

  • Fully Guided

  • International Travel

  • Meals

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Transport

    Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach

What's Not Included

Accommodation

You will stay for two-nights at the Mercure Lille Airport or Ibis Styles Arras Centre then two-nights at the Ibis Styles Ouistreham, close to the centre of town and Sword Beach.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What type of coach will be used?

    You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Low

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

    On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?

    Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

Reviews of this operator

Gary White (Google Reviewer)  

Just got back from a...

27-May-2024

Just got back from a holiday with leger holidays to callea spain which my wife done as a surprise for my 60th and wedding anniversary together my wife and i had a great time the coach journey there was excellent regular stops for toilet breaks and a stretch. Our two drivers Geoff and katrina were brilliant serving regular drinks and making the trip pleasant all the people on the coach were pleasant the hotel in spain was so nice the best we've stayed in lovely staff lovely bar the guy at the bar was great really friendly nice room. Overall our journey there and our return journey was brill the only thing that was not good at all was the ibis hotel on the return journey the room was horrible not a nice breakfast not polite French staff. Not really interested in trying to speak some english if i was leger should try and use a different hotel. Once again a big thank you to Geoff and katrina well done guys for making our holiday lovely. Hope to see you on another holiday soon

Will (Google Reviewer)  

I went on the 4...

05-Jan-2024

I went on the 4 countries trip and swiss glacier express and overall it was a great trip. The coach I was on was silver service, it was tidy had nice seats and other accessories such as charging points and headsets which was very handy. The drivers Alex and Dave were fantastic, very kind, funny and respectful throughout the whole trip and a pleasure to talk to. The excursions were very pleasant and all ran very smoothly. The hotels were decent and offered a good service. I overall very much recommend leger holidays.

Sally Matson  

Excellent customer service

10-Jan-2023

Booked our ‘Christmas in Austria & Scenic Trains of the Tyrol’ through George on the customer Helpline. Nothing was too much trouble, everything clearly & patiently explained. He even had permission to log in on his day off to finalise the sale! A charming and helpful young person and a credit to the company.

Euan Donald (Google Reviewer)  

Been on two tours now...

10-Oct-2023

Been on two tours now the “D Day beaches” and “ All Quiet on the Western Front” tour of the Somme and Ypres. Both four days in total, two travelling and two on the site of the various battles. This is outstanding value for money, picked up from Carlisle , Cumbria and literally looked after all the way through the tours. The coaches are great and the accommodation spot on . The guides are very knowledgeable ( Mark Hope brilliant guy)and the bus drivers professional . Absolutely fantastic .

Sue Sinfield (Google Reviewer)  

Due to covid it was...

21-Jul-2022

Due to covid it was 3rd time lucky for us to visit lake Garda, what a treat. One or two hiccups but no fault of Legers at all. Praise to Graham and Chris for their excellent driving and coffee service. Our visit to Verona, our guide was very informative but did walk at a pace sometimes had to hurry to keep up. A lovely holiday

Michael Stephen Shilleto   England

Four Countries New Year & the Swiss Glacier Express

07-Jan-2024

Firstly we must thank Alex and Dave our tour guide / drivers who entertained us through out . The tour was fantastic so was the hotel’s food and entertainment. The tour was through the new year holidays as expected lots of shops closed and hotels were understaffed which was lost on some travelers. We travelled back from stop 24 on a luxuria coach I would recommend paying the extra for the comfort alone

Hilary Jackson (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

12-Jun-2024

I recently went on a 4 night tour to Scarborough. Driver was great hotel superb. My criticism is too many destinations crammed into day excursion. Example visit to Flamborough head stop for 1 hour it was teeming nobody got off coach but even if fine pointless. Then on to Bridlington coach Park 1.5 ml from centre. Most people are hard pressed to get to center & back in 1.5 hours pointless. Incidentally if Leger paid a permit they could alight us in the resort. Very bad logistics. On to Whitby with a decent stop should have taken us there & bypassed the other stops. I will not go with them again. I will source a better holiday with excursions to one place only.

aled blackshaw (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from a solos...

25-Mar-2024

just returned from a solos break to valkenburg and rhine valley i enjoyed the break overall although both journeys were considerably longer than expected due to several picks ups. I could have done without the 3 countries meeting point excursion to be honest and the lunch on rhine cruise was very basic. The drivers/couriers were efficient and good humoured and provided free lunch vouchers on the ferry which were much appreciated. I probably would book another break with leger but to somewhere a lot closer to home.

Mary Elmhirst (Google Reviewer)  

I was told by a...

19-May-2024

I was told by a customer service advisor (Michael) , our hotel overlooked the River Seine, which was totally untrue. It was nowhere in sight and a good walk to get to it. My view from the hotel room was a wall and a window, There was no porterage available and although our drivers offered, after a 15 hour journey to France, we all opted to take our own luggage. To get into the shower there was a step to it and the floor of the shower was like an ice rink when wet, with nothing to hold onto. ( I showered wearing my slippers to avoid slipping). The plunger to the sink was unusable; (the lever to retrieve it was broken). The staff were pleasant and helpful, the bed was comfortable and clean abd the breakfast was worthy of the 3 stars given. Otherwise, I have stayed in a better 2* hotel in France. The driver and travel rep, Paul were both very friendly and pleasant but it was the first time Paul had been on this trip and therefore had little knowledge of the places we visited! There was no commentary and the history of Monet and Versailles was read out from a book! All in all, nothing would persuade me to take part in another Leger tour.

TU  

Many thanks to Molly.

03-Jan-2023

I have recently booked a trip to Le Mans and had the good fortune to speak to Molly. She was very helpful and a pleasure to talk to. She was able to answer all but one of my queries with clarity and promised to ring me with the answer to the un-answered question as it required further investigation. This she duly did. An unusually pleasant experience when making a booking over the phone, if only it could be this easy every the time.

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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