Retrace the Mons Retreat with Leger Holidays

Follow in the footsteps of WWI’s ‘Old Contemptibles’ with a specialist battlefields guide for £289 per person. Due to popular demand, battlefield specialist, Leger Holidays, has re-launched a five-day battlefield break to follow the success story of the British army who fought in France and Flanders in 1914, nicknamed the ‘contemptible little army’ by a senior German commander.

Led by a specialist Battlefield guide who brings to life the remarkable historical tales of frontline warfare, this escorted holiday makes it easy for guests to engage with personal stories as well as imagine the big picture of the events surrounding the Mons Retreat.

After the first night’s stay in Ypres, this tour, which follows the fascinating story of the Mons Retreat, begins appropriately with a trip to the location of the opening shots of the war, in August 1914.

Following this, the tour visits the memorial at Casteau and the bridge at Nimy, where the Royal Fusiliers were awarded the first two VCs of the war, as well as other memorials and battlefields around Mons in the afternoon.

Returning to Mons on day two, the tour follows the Retreat from Mons, replicating an actual route used in August 1914. In the afternoon, a visit to the Second Suffolks Monument, the town of Le Cateau, the British Cemetery and the battlefield cemetery and château at Esnes is also visited.

Day four is centred on the battlefields and memorials in Ypres, before concluding the day at Ypres’ Menin Gate, with the moving ‘Last Post’ Ceremony. The final morning is also based in Ypres before heading back to the UK.

With several high-profile war anniversaries this year and the increasing trend of retracing family footsteps, this is the perfect opportunity to visit the battlefields on a journey of remembrance and discovery.

Priced at only £289pp, this five-day break, departing on September 17, includes:

Four nights’ accommodation including breakfast
Executive coach travel from a local departure point
Three full days of battlefield visits
Specialist battlefields guide

From an additional £30pp an upgrade to luxury Silver Service coach travel is available on 8 and 22 October. Benefits include: extra legroom, luxury seats, a smaller group, separate rear lounge, DVD and video, porterage at the hotel and free personal in-seat headsets.

For more information, visit Leger.co.uk.