Why Now Is the Best Time to Visit Commonwealth War Graves in France and Belgium

If you’re looking for meaningful short-haul travel inspiration from the UK, there has never been a better time to visit the Commonwealth War Graves in northern France and Belgium. 

With uncertainty around long-haul travel, rising costs, and a growing desire for trips with meaning, this corner of Europe offers something rare: a powerful blend of history, reflection and natural beauty, all within easy reach.

From the iconic battlefields of the Somme to the moving memorials of Ypres, this is travel that stays with you long after you return home.

Visiting Commonwealth War Graves in France and Belgium

Image: The CWGC Visitor Centre in Beaurains, France, is the ideal gateway to the former battlefields of the Western Front

Easy, Stress-Free Travel from the UK

For many travellers, 2026 is about simpler, closer-to-home travel. Long-haul holidays can feel unpredictable, with changing costs and logistical challenges. In contrast, visiting WW1 sites in France and Belgium is refreshingly straightforward.

You can reach the Western Front in just a few hours via Eurotunnel or ferry, making it ideal for a weekend break or short trip. This accessibility makes it easier than ever to explore world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites without the stress of flying long distances.

Start Your Journey in Arras or Ypres

To make the most of your trip, begin at one of the CWGC’s dedicated visitor centres in Arras (France) or Ieper/Ypres (Belgium). These centres are designed to help visitors connect with the work of the Commission and the stories of the people we commemorate.

• CWGC Beaurains Visitor Centre (Arras): The perfect starting point for understanding what it takes to maintain our sites of memory and commemoration around the world.
• Ieper (Ypres) Visitor Centre: Situated at the heart of the Ypres Salient, close to the Menin Gate and Tyne Cot Cemetery, where you can plan your trip to the battlefields, pick up a souvenir or enjoy a coffee or local beer.

In Ypres, you can also witness the Last Post ceremony, held every evening at the Menin Gate, one of the most moving acts of remembrance in the world.

Somme 110: A Unique Moment to Visit

Image: Visit our Guides at Thiepval for guided tours of the memorial and cemetery

This year is particularly significant, as 2026 marks the 110th anniversary of the Somme. 

The Battle of the Somme remains one of the defining events of the First World War and the 20th century, and visiting during this milestone is a bucket-list opportunity for anyone interested in history.

Across the region, there is renewed focus on commemoration, storytelling, and education, making it an especially important time to explore. There are special events and activities to get involved with and numerous moving commemorations taking place. 

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious, the anniversary creates a sense of shared remembrance that is truly unforgettable.

Learn more about Somme 110

CWGC Guided Tours at the Thiepval Memorial

A highlight of any visit to the Somme is the Thiepval Memorial, and this summer is the perfect time to experience it. The CWGC’s seasonal guides have now returned, offering engaging introductions to the site.

Available during the summer months only, these guides help visitors:

• Understand the scale and symbolism of the memorial
• Discover personal stories behind the 72,000 names inscribed
• Explore the wider Somme landscape with deeper context

This adds a valuable layer to your trip, making any visit a truly personal and memorable experience.

Find Space to Reflect and Recharge

Image: CWGC cemeteries and memorials are beautiful, calm spaces (© ToerismeIeper)

One of the most compelling reasons to visit Commonwealth War Graves sites is the sense of peace and calm they offer. Unlike busy tourist destinations, these spaces allow for quiet reflection.

Visitors often speak of the contrast between past and present, the knowledge that these peaceful gardens were once battlefields. Today, the land is calm, offering time to:

• Pause and reflect in quiet surroundings
• Connect with personal or shared histories
• Experience a rare sense of stillness and perspective

It’s this combination of tranquillity and meaning that makes a visit so memorable. Whether you’re tracing family history or simply seeking a thoughtful travel experience, these sites offer space to slow down and reconnect.

A Blend of History, Architecture and Stunning Gardens

CWGC cemeteries and memorials are globally recognised not only for their historical importance, but also for their iconic design, architecture, and horticulture.

Created by some of the leading architects of the 20th century, including Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Reginald Blomfield, these sites were carefully designed to create a lasting and dignified form of remembrance. 

Wherever you visit, you’ll notice distinctive features that define a Commonwealth war grave site:

• Uniform Portland stone headstones, symbolising equality in remembrance
• The Cross of Sacrifice, a powerful and recognisable symbol of collective loss and service
• The Stone of Remembrance, inscribed and placed as a focal point for reflection
• Carefully planned layouts, blending formal architecture with natural landscapes

Just as striking are the gardens. From the very beginning, the CWGC combined architecture with horticulture, creating landscapes inspired by English garden traditions, with carefully chosen planting to provide colour, structure, and year-round interest. Roses, seasonal flowers, and perfectly maintained lawns soften the formality of the stone, creating places that feel both respectful and alive. 

No two sites are exactly the same. Some are small, tucked into quiet villages; others, like Thiepval or Tyne Cot, are vast and monumental. Each one offers a slightly different perspective on the landscape, the history, and the human stories behind the names.

A Journey of Heritage and Discovery

Image: Enjoy remarkable, memorable experiences on your trip to the Western Front (© ToerismeIeper)

Exploring the Western Front is not just an act of remembrance; it’s a journey through one of Europe’s most fascinating historic landscapes. Across the Somme, Arras, and Ypres regions, history and modern life exist side by side.

Travelling between sites becomes part of the experience itself. You can follow scenic routes that pass through rolling countryside, peaceful farmland, and historic towns rebuilt after the war. Along the way, you’ll discover:

• Dozens of cemeteries and memorials, each with its own story
• Walking and cycling routes linking key battlefield locations
• Museums, interpretation centres, and local heritage sites

The density of sites in northern France and Belgium is unique. This is where much of the Western Front once ran, and today it remains the heart of CWGC commemoration, with thousands of locations within easy reach.

This makes it ideal for travellers seeking more than a single destination. It’s an experience that combines history, culture, exploration, and quiet adventure, whether you’re visiting for a day or building a longer itinerary.

UNESCO World Heritage: A Landscape of Global Significance

Image: Tyne Cot Cemetery, our largest war cemetery in the world, is one of 51 CWGC Western Front sites inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites

In September 2023, a network of 139 First World War cemeteries and memorials across the Western Front was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognising their “outstanding universal value” on a global stage. 

This designation includes 51 sites cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission or maintained on behalf of other nations, spanning northern France and Belgium.

The inscription reflects several defining characteristics of these places:

• Their pioneering approach to commemoration, with the war dead remembered individually by name
• The unique combination of architecture, landscaping, and battlefield location
• Their role as places of shared remembrance, representing casualties from over 130 nations

Together, these factors recognise the Western Front not just as a historic region, but as a connected cultural landscape where memory, design, and history continue to resonate with visitors from around the world.

Meaningful Travel, Closer to Home

At a time when many people are rethinking how and why they travel, visiting the Commonwealth War Graves in France and Belgium offers something genuinely meaningful. It’s a chance to experience history, reflection, craftsmanship, and landscape, all within easy reach of the UK.

With the Somme anniversary focus this year, the return of CWGC Guides at Thiepval for the summer season, and the excellent starting points in Arras and Ypres, there has never been a more compelling time to visit.

Sometimes, the most powerful journeys aren’t the furthest; they’re the ones that offer connection, perspective, and lasting memories.

Author acknowledgements

Written By Max Dutton, CWGC Senior Interpretation and Visitor Experience Manager.

Max has worked for the CWGC since 2014. He began as a researcher and historian and now leads visitor experience and interpretation. Having spent many years exploring the battlefields of the Western Front and beyond, he understands the value of discovering CWGC sites, whether as a first-time visitor or an experienced battlefield explorer.