Waterloo 203rd Anniversary - A comprehensive view of the June 1815 battlefields - Campaigns & Culture
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Waterloo 203rd
Anniversary
A comprehensive view of the June 1815 battlefields
“Nothing except a battle lost can be half as
melancholy as a battle won”
Quatre Bras, Ligny, Genappe, Bierges & Waterloo
The greatest military leaders of the Napoleonic era joined in an epic and final
struggle. Poor calculation, miscommunication, mishap, great fortune, heroic
deeds and tragic failures, outlandish fashion and biblical weather. The
battlefields of Waterloo frame history in such a concentrated way that few
campaigns have ever, before or since, meant so much to so many, and
impacted future events quite so significantly.
Yet around this most famous of battles so many myths have arisen over the
years, myths that have been repeated over two centuries without full and
proper enquiry, that bear little relation to reality.
Join two of the greatest Waterloo experts of their time who will transform your
understanding of the battlefield, the characters who fought there and the
accepted version of events peddled even amongst best-sellers to this day.
Our tour is carefully crafted to ensure you a warm welcome, visiting both well
known and forgotten points of the battlefields, all the major attractions and the
hidden places. We'll unlock the secrets of what really happened, entertaining
you with the first-hand accounts of those who were there.
Each day includes scene-setting strategic handouts, maps and images. At
each key battlefield position we'll recap the strategic situation, the knowledge
and intent of the leaders, the elapse of time, the weather conditions and the
impact of terrain.
We'll examine the tactical decisions, the character and experiences of the men
(and a few women) who were there; some well known, some forgotten, others
yet to be published, from senior officers to lowly rankers across all nations.
We'll look at how history has told the stories, how they have become
Date
embellished, distorted, misunderstood and abused. We'll tell how accepted
Friday 15th June to
history has been overturned by fresh examination and re-interpretation of the
Tuesday 19th June 2018
records, with a wider understanding of the role of all nations in the epic
struggle. We'll also include 'end-of-day' wrap-ups to review the major features
Duration
of each day.
Five days / Four Nights
All-Inclusive* We'll guide you around the best bits of the museums and memorials, looking at
We start and end in Waterloo, the evolution of the battlefields whilst referencing other eras of history for a full
Belgium staying in 4* central understanding of these beautiful locations in the 'cockpit of Europe'. We'll
accommodation, with all meals, ensure that any particular regimental or ancestor interests of yours are covered
tours, transport and entrance fees in depth to add real meaning to your experiences.
covered.
Whilst on tour we'll enjoy hearty breakfasts, light lunches and great dinners with
Options wine to ensure your pleasure and comfort, plus time to relax, not forgetting the
• Pre-Tour day 14th Dunkirk (WW2) beer tasting!
• Post-Tour half-day extension 19th
Ramilies (Marlborough) We are confident that, other than our full campaign tour, this is the most
• Extend your stay with additional comprehensive and original Waterloo tour you can join.
hotel nights before or after the
tour. Our proposed walk of the battlefield scheduled for the 18th June does rely on
• and/or join our Copenhagen Tour fairly good weather and requires good walking boots and wet weather clothing.
on 23rd June. If the weather forecast is particularly unfavourable for that day we may decide
to move it to one of the other days. The walk is around 3 miles in total during
* You will simply be responsible for any the day.
room service, mini bar, extra drinks you
order and any non-itinerary additional We are also offering a pre-tour day covering Dunkirk (WW2), and a post-tour
purchases you make.
half-day visit to nearby Ramilies (Marlborough) and invite your interest.
Why not also consider joining our 23rd June tour visiting Copenhagen?
Our Battles
15th June 1815
Napoleon crosses the Belgian border in
his last great gamble of the ‘100 days’.
16th June 1815
Napoleon forces the Prussians at Ligny,
Wellington desperately holds Quatre Bras.
17th June 1815
Blücher’s Prussians fall back, but
concentrate, chased by Marshal Grouchy.
Wellington retreats through Genappe to
group his forces before Waterloo.
18th June 1815
Wellington defends his ridge and
farmhouses against massed French
attacks, whilst the Prussians arrive from
Wavre on Napoleon’s flank. The Imperial
Guard is beaten and the French flee.
19th June 1815
Grouchy sustains his fight above Wavre &
Bierges before the bad news arrives.
The 1815 Battlefield Experience
The latest interpretations and knowledge
presented with confidence and aplomb.
Stunning and varied landscapes, all the
museums, dramatic re-interpretations of
received wisdom, you’ll witness them all.
We visit points and walk to places
forgotten by the march of history, yet
which have a major tale to tell in the
Waterloo experience.
We leave no stone unturned to bring you
the most comprehensive and unique
Waterloo Battlefield Tour available.
Our standards of comfort, in choice of
accommodation and premium transport
reflect our desire to deliver the very best
quality experience.
Our all-inclusive* approach also means
you can truly focus on enjoying your trip.
Our Waterloo Hotel
The Historic Martin’s Grand
4-Star
Newly refurbished rooms in the hotel
The 4 Star Martin's Grand is merely a
cannon shot, hop, skip and jump from the
battlefield of Waterloo.
Built in 1836 by the Raffinerie Nationale
de Sucre Indigène et Exotique (National
Refinery for Indigenous and Exotic
Sugar) to cultivate sugar beet and to
make sugar, it still displays the beautiful
brick vaulting in its restaurant La
Sucrerie.
The best location to start and end each
day's journey, with spacious and
comfortable rooms.
Day by Day Itinerary
YOUR TOUR STARTS & FINISHES IN WATERLOO BELGIUM
easy to reach from nearby Brussels via Eurostar of flights - ask us for details
A truly inspirational tour, with extensive tactical insight and unique
research bringing people, history & landscapes to life.
14th June: Optional Tour of Dunkirk (WW2) en-route to Waterloo.
15th June PM: Meet & Greet, Battlefield & Fun
Gather at our Waterloo hotel 2.30pm, tour introduction, visit Lion Mound,
Panorama & Memorial museum. Interactive event on the myths and realities of
Waterloo. Dinner at our hotel in La Sucrerie.
16th June: Plans, Invasion & Events!
203rd Anniversary of the Battle of Quatre Bras from the Dutch/Belgian, British,
German and French perspectives - farmhouses, memorials and the Roman
Road. Lunch at medieval farmhouse Indrani Lodge, Loupoigne. The retreat via
Genappe. Napoleon's last HQ at Le Caillou. Wellington’s HQ Museum & Royal
Chapel.
17th June: The Prussian Campaign
Journey to Brye (Blücher's HQ), St Amand, Fleurus (Napoleon's HQ), Tombe de
Ligny, Sombreffe, Blucher's presbytery, the cemetery and the Tongrinne
flank. Ligny Ferme d'en Haut and Ligny museum. The Prussian retreat and
recovery at Mellery, and Bierges, the Prussian advance to Waterloo, walking
part of the Vieux Chemin, Chapelle St Robert, Ferme de la Kelle, Schwerin
monument, Bois de Paris, the Prussian Monument and Plancenoit.
18th June: Walking Waterloo 203rd Anniversary
Belle Alliance, walking the French line to Papelotte, Smohain, up to Ziethen's
crossroads, D'Erlon's attack, British Heavy Cavalry charges, Inniskillings, La
Haye Sainte. Journey to the Wounded Eagle.
On to approach Hougoumont from the French and Allied sides, discuss the
close-run fighting there and the latest archaeological finds.
On up to Mercer's ridge for the massed French cavalry charges and the
repulse of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard.
Journey to Mont St Jean, brewery visit and tasting, and the new Medical
Museum.
19th June: Aftermath, Any Questions & Farewell
What the future held for the Waterloo leaders and combatants. Questions &
Answers to fill any remaining gaps, then we head home, or join the extra half-
day tour to Ramillies.
19th June: Optional Extra half-day Tour of Ramillies (Marlborough).
Your train journey or flights are not included in our tour, and should be booked
to suit your own convenience and preferences. We are happy to help.
Your Guides Your Guides
Bio, Gareth Glover Bio, Robert Pocock
The most prolific author on the Napoleonic The acknowledged authority on the life of
Era, Gareth is at the very forefront of Cavalié Mercer, the most famous junior
discovering and re-interpreting the memoirs officer at Waterloo and author of the finest
of soldiers who marched and fought across first-hand account of any military campaign.
the landscapes we travel.
Robert's extensive original research casts an
To date Gareth has published 66 books and exceptional light on accepted history. On tour
memoirs on the Napoleonic Wars and those we'll share much of Robert's re-interpretation
who fought in it. of received wisdoms, which will surprise and
amaze!
His recent works include Waterloo in 100
Objects, The Forgotten War Against His appreciation of the impact of wider eras
Napoleon; Conflict in the Mediterranean ranges from Marlborough to WW2, bringing a
1793-1815, and The American Sharpe. fresh dynamic to Waterloo’s role in history.
Gareth's career has ranged from a We’ll share his reassessment of the march of
Commissioned Officer of the Royal Navy, to the Prussians, and the often missed left flank
managing one of the country's finest food of Ligny. His study of the evolution of the
halls. battlefields is reflected in many articles for the
Waterloo Association.
Gareth is a Fellow of the International
Napoleonic Society and a Director & Founder Robert is a Director & Founder of Campaigns
of Campaigns & Culture Ltd. & Culture Ltd.
Your Journey
Rewards for Early-Birds, Loyalty
Discounts, Families & Groups
All-Inclusive* Normal Tour Price
£1,995 per person
sharing a double / twin room
Currently £1,695 with special discount of
£300 per person. Don’t delay!
Single occupancy supplement £295
If you’ve miss this offer, you can still secure
a £200 per person discount by booking two or
more of our 2018 tours, or by booking as a
family or group of 4 or more on this tour.
We also offer discounts of £100 per person
for a family or group of 3.
The highest discount only applies. We’ll
automatically apply the highest available
discount rate to your booking.A few of our other treats
Cultural as much as Historical
Myth & Reality
Hear it from the author! Gareth’s
interactive response to all of your
questions.
Lunch in a 14th Century farmhouse
The magnificent private Indrani Lodge,
Loupoigne, through which soldiers of
many nations passed on 17th June 1815.
Beer Tasting
Adjacent to the superb new medical
museum, we tour the brewery and sample
their produce, Beer of the Brave!
The forgotten routes
See and walk the paths trodden in 1815Fitness Guide
Reasonable
Belgium is often mistakenly thought to be
flat like Holland, but the Belgian
countryside can be more variable with
some modestly challenging hills.
As we will often be walking along a variety
of paths and dirt tracks which can vary
from firm, dusty or slippery depending on
the weather, sensible walking shoes or
boots (preferably waterproof) are
thoroughly recommended.
At other times, when touring museums
and ancient buildings, cobbled or uneven
surfaces are the norm and sensible shoes
are again recommended.
Expect to walk reasonable distances of a
few miles each day.Please book online, contact us through the website or
call us on +44 (0)1805 43 1066
We look forward to welcoming our Guests on Tour
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