Flanders Fields: A Short Break

A trip to Flanders Fields is the sort of journey that stays with you long after you get home. Tucked away in the westernmost corner of Belgian, Flanders Fields is where the First World War left its deepest mark.

Its location - barely an hour from Dunkirk ferry port and with museums, cemeteries, preserved trenches and the daily Last Post at the Menin Gate all just a short distance from one another – makes it one of the easiest and most rewarding short breaks you can reach from the UK.

And the good news is, there’s now an easy way to see more for less. The Flanders Fields WWI Pass gives you the group rate at ten museums and historic sites across the region, making it even easier to pack more into your trip.

About the WWI pass

The Flanders Fields WWI Pass is completely free, and there’s no need to book anything in advance. If you’re staying in a hotel or B&B in Flanders Fields, all you need to do is ask for the pass when you check-in. It gives you access to the group rate at ten museums and historic sites connected to the First World War, along with a postcard to send home.

You’ll find the ten sites in the following locations:

• Flanders Fields Museum
• Passchendaele Museum
• Museum of the Yser Tower
• Talbot House
• Hooge Crater Museum
• Kathe Kollwitz Museum
• Trench of Death
• Lange Max Museum
• Bayernwald
• Westfront Nieuwpoort

Together, these sites cover the whole arc of the First World War in this part of Belgium, from the flooding of the Yser plain in 1914 through to the final offensives.

Passes are available from 16 March 2026 until the end of February 2027, so there’s no need to try and squeeze everything into one trip.

A region recognised by UNESCO

Twenty-seven of the region’s First World War sites are now recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, alongside others in northern France. This recognition reflects the outstanding cultural and historical importance of these places, which have been carefully preserved so visitors can come to remember.

Ypres is a good base for exploring the region. The town was destroyed during the First World War but has since been rebuilt to almost exactly how it was, including original landmarks like the Cloth Hall, St Martin's Cathedral and the Market Square. Every evening at 8pm, the Last Post is sounded at the Menin Gate – a tradition that has continued almost without interruption since 1928.

From Ypres, you can easily explore the surrounding landscape, with its cemeteries, memorials and former battlefields. Passchendaele, Poperinge and the cemeteries of the Ypres Salient are all less than half an hour’s drive away so you can explore multiple places in a single day.

Getting to Flanders Fields from the UK

One of the great things about visiting Flanders Fields is how easy it is to reach from the UK. Whether you choose to visit by ferry, Eurotunnel or Eurostar, you can be ready to explore in just a few hours.

By ferry

From the UK, you can take a direct ferry from Dover to either Dunkirk or Calais. Both crossings take between 90 minutes and 2 hours, offering a quick and convenient way to reach northern France. Once you arrive, Ypres is around an hour away by car.

By Eurotunnel

Another option is to travel via the Eurotunnel. You can drive your car onto the shuttle train at Folkestone and travel through the Channel Tunnel to Calais. Once you arrive in Calais, you can continue your journey by car to Flanders Fields.

By train

It’s also possible to travel directly from London to France with Eurostar. Trains depart from London St Pancras International and take you to Lille or Paris in France, or Brussels in Belgium. Ypres is reachable by train from all three cities, although the journey involves a change. If you plan to travel by train to France or Belgium, we recommend renting a car so you can explore Flanders Fields more easily.

The best option

Taking the ferry or Eurotunnel to France is the best option as it allows you to bring your own car. Travelling by car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, which is especially useful in Flanders Fields, where many museums, memorials and historic sites are spread across the countryside.

The short crossing from the UK means you can easily visit Flanders Fields for a long weekend, but there's plenty to keep you occupied if you decide to stay for a week or more.

At Direct Ferries, you can compare crossings and find the route and sailing time that best suits your trip.

Looking ahead to 2027 and 2028

Planning your trip for 2027 or 2028? The next two years mark 100 years of the Menin Gate and the Last Post, with special events, commemorations and exhibitions planned across the region. They'll be a particular focus on the monuments themselves, so it could be worth timing your visit to coincide with one of the bigger commemorative moments. 

Extend your adventure

Fancy exploring beyond Flanders Fields? With most routes from the UK travelling via France, it’s easy to extend your trip and discover more of the country while you’re there. For inspiration on things to do, check out our France travel guide, along with the blog posts below:

• Driving to France from the UK
• The most beautiful medieval towns in France
• The must-see tourist sites in France
• Your Channel ferry guide

Book your trip today

Ready for a rewarding escape? Book your crossing from Dover today, ask for your WWI Pass when you check in, and see how much of the region you can explore!