CWGC sites named among world’s most spectacular landmarks

Four iconic CWGC sites have made the top 10 in annual awards recognising the world’s most spectacular landmarks.

The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Singapore Memorial, and Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery were this week named in TripAdvisor’s ‘Top 10 Landmarks’ lists for individual countries – the winners of which are selected through its Travellers’ Choice Awards.

Designed by one of the Commission’s principal architects, Sir Reginald Blomfield, the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, which commemorates more than 54,000 who died during the First World War and have no known grave, was named the second must-see place in Belgium’s Top 10 list. The largest CWGC cemetery in the world –– Tyne Cot Cemetery –– designed by principal architect Sir Herbert Baker, was fourth.

Second World War cemetery Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, also known as Airborne Cemetery, was named the fourth most spectacular landmark in The Netherlands. Designed by architect Philip Hepworth, it commemorates more than 1,600 Commonwealth servicemen. Singapore Memorial, also known as the Kranji War Memorial, was named the eighth top attraction in Singapore. The memorial, which bears the names of more than 24,000 casualties of the Second World War, and Kranji War Cemetery, where it stands, were designed by Colin St Clair Oakes.

The CWGC's Jane Lawson said: “The fact that this recognition comes from the public makes it very special indeed. It shows that despite the passage of time our sites remain as important places of pilgrimage, as they were in the years after the world wars.”

The winners were determined through an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for landmarks worldwide.

Brooke Ferencsik, senior director of communications for TripAdvisor, said: “For travellers thinking about anchoring their trips with a visit to an iconic site, there's no better starting point than the list of Travellers' Choice award winners. With awe-inspiring temples, poignant memorials and breath-taking examples of architectural innovation, there's a wide variety of options to inspire those looking for culturally enriching experiences.”