Hundreds of miles of trenches had been built during the First World War, but what remains for visitors to see now? Here are some of the original trenches that remain for you to experience on one of my First World War battlefield tours.
Beaumont Hamel, Somme, France
The Newfoundland Memorial Park on the Somme is perhaps one of the most visited sites anywhere on the Western Front. This is probably because visitors can get a feel of how the battle unfolded here on 1st July 1916. By walking the whole of the park, you can view the battle from both the Allied and German perspectives. As you enter the park, you walk past the reserve line of trenches which were occupied by men of the Newfoundland Regiment and of the Essex Regiment that July morning.
Walking on, you go past and can see the support line trenches and then the communication trenches that weave their way through to the British front line. Today these communication trenches are reinforced with modern decking that allows you to walk safely through them, as you zig-zag your way to the front. As well as the trenches which can be seen and walked through, the land is pitted with shell holes - a stark reminder of what happened here more than 100 years ago. No trip to the Somme battlefields is complete without understanding what happened here on 1st July 1916.
Vimy Ridge, France
As you drive through the Vimy Ridge Memorial Park, you go past several craters and shell holes. Once parked up, you can walk through a small section of the line here, preserved in the 1930s and now presented as concrete sandbags to ensure the trenches will be here for decades to come. What fascinates visitors is just how close the opposing trenches came to be here. Once you have explored above ground, you can also take a guided tour underground to learn more about the terrifying nature of tunnelling warfare.
Verdun, France
If walking through original trenches is what you really want to do, you can’t miss Verdun. The region is peaceful now, but it is almost like nothing has changed here. There is so much to see! Trenches, bunkers, tunnels and large fortifications are all still here to be explored. Be warned, however, much of the terrain can be dangerous, with openings to tunnels hidden in the undergrowth.
At the Butte de Vauqouis you can explore the extraordinary story of the French and German armies grappling for control of this hill. In 1914, the village with its 168 inhabitants perched atop this hill. The Germans took the heights in September 1914 and in 1915 the French wrestled back control. From that point on, both sides would use extensive mine operations literally to blow each other from the hillside. In total, just over 500 mines were laid, resulting in complete devastation for this village: it ceased to exist. Today you can walk through German trenches here, get underground into some of the tunnels that still exist and see the incredible landscape that is left – breathtaking.
The Trench of Death at Dixmunde, Belgium
Here the French and German lines were just metres apart, separated by the canal. This reconstructed network of trenches and dugouts was one of the most dangerous Belgian positions on the Western Front, being constantly under fire from artillery, snipers and machine guns. Today, you can walk along the trench, get into bunkers and see exactly how close the Germans were here. A new visitor centre and toilet facilities are on site.
Hill 62, Ypres
This is often the 'go-to' stop for school groups and families when in the Ypres Salient. Don’t forget your boots as it can get quite muddy here as you explore this extensive trench system. There are also tunnels that connect trenches and you will need a torch if you want to be brave enough and get through. I used to do it all the time as a kid, but these tunnels get smaller and smaller as you grow! The small museum is good here – lots of artefacts to see, but don’t expect them to be in good shape or helpfully labelled.
