the battlefields experience - day tours

Jackie hosted this tour with just myself, my husband and one other Australian in a comfortable heated mini van. It was winter so the Somme welcomed us with an Arctic wind!The potential frostbite we endured was absolutely nothing compared to what the troops must have endured from 1916 to 1918 (ish). Jackie was a complete encyclopedia on the WW1 situation in this area. I certainly learnt a huge amount about what started WW1 and the evolution of it all.To see how much the local towns have embraced Australia (because of our WW1 collaboration) was very touching. My husband is a current Australian Army member who was on deployment in Africa. This day tour was especially meaningful for him. In saying that, I too was fascinated and interested all day.Be warned though, if you are one that needs to eat/drink every few hours, take a few snacks in your bag. We only stopped for a sandwich and hot choc at lunchtime. It was full on from 0900 to 1700!Very much worth doing this tour.

We were met by Jackie at the Amiens train station, and spent a most interesting day with her. Jackie's knowledge of the Somme and World War 1 battles in that area was amazing. She geared our tour to suit our interest in the Australian part in the action. We weren't rushed, and Jackie gave us time to absorb the parts that really interested us. It was a highlight of our week in Paris! Thanks so much, Jackie.

We were met by Rod at the Amiens railway station on a quite a wet, miserable morning our spirits buoyed by the fact that many soldiers including my Great Uncle had lost their lives on these same fields in what must have been terrible and harrowing conditions. Rod's knowledge of the area, and his passion for the military and the history of WW1 history was very evident. Although respectful and sensitive to those who fought here, Rod was also able to share a couple of lighter moments about life on the front line for these soldiers. We enjoyed visiting various significant locations and were very grateful to Rod in taking us to visit the graveside of my Great Uncle who is buried in the British Cemetary after dying from his injuries in the second battle at Bullecourt in 1917. We were able to place a cross and a poppy at his graveside which was a humbling experience as we are the first family members to visit this site. Thank you to Isabelle who was very patient with answering our queries about how to navigate the French rail system from Gare Du Nord.

A full days exposure to the Somme battlefields was provided by Jackie and Rod. Both are experienced military personnel with a clear understanding of the activities of the military and war.Rod guided our group on the tour and it was clear that he had a very strong knowledge of the history behind World War 1 and the flow of events which overtook the Western Front during that time. We were driven around in a very comfortable van - a relief on a -1 day. The key battle zones of the Somme campaign were covered with Rod readily and capably answering our questions. We broke for a lunch at their home which was well prepared and more than adequate and a further welcome relief from the cold. Enjoyable conversation ensued as we caught a small glimpse of a British couple enhancing understanding of the tragedy and triumph of war.The next day I had a "bespoke" tour with Rod by myself. Occupying over seven hours it allowed me to follow my particular interests related to the activity of my Grandfather in the area in 1916 and 1918. Being able to pin down the areas in which he served was very emotional and rewarding after a search for understanding which has been going on for a number of years. Well done Rod...strong gratitude for good service.

My group of 3 had an amazing day touring the battlefields of the Somme with Rod Bedford from The Battlefields Experience. Rod's knowledge of history is extraordinary but it was more like going on a trip with a passionate friend than a tour guide. The tours are flexible and cater for the interests of the individual or group and the lunch was delicious. Despite my group taking a bit too much time in the morning, Rod did not rush us through the rest of the day and happily dropped us back at Amiens station an hour later then planned. Rod and Jackie Bedford made our experience better than I had imagined it would be and I highly recommend their tours to anyone visiting the Somme.

After meeting Dennis at Amiens we then travelled all around the Somme region. Too much to mention here but the knowledge imparted to us by Dennis was amazing. The day was cold but nothing compared to what our troops encountered. Each and every memorial we visited was in incredible condition, being on the front line you could view the vast area of openness the troops had to cross. How any of the troops made it home is beyond me. Very emotional trying to put yourselves in their shoes. Trenches were heart breaking but so glad we did this tour worth every cent. Thanks Dennis.

It was a few years ago now that my husband and I went on our tour organised by Jackie and Rod , which was a surprise 40th gift from hubby to research two of my relatives killed in WW1.It was a truly amazing and very moving experience . Rod and Jackie were fantastic, it was only ourselves on the tour and tailored just for us. They went out of their way to make it memorable and it was like having an old friend take you round .They were brilliant and we cant thank them enough. We hope to return in a couple of years and bring our family to experience it with us . Thank you

Rod collected us from the hotel at 9am and dropped us back at 6pm - a long and fabulous tour! It was quite expensive, certainly twice as much as the tour taken earlier in the week at Ypres. But Rod was very knowledgable, an ex RSM from the Grenadier Guards, and he could answer any question about any part of WW1, in fact any war come to that! His partner Jackie researched a family member who had fought at the Somme and provided us with written information. There were only 3 of us on the tour which gave the opportunity for Rod to tailor the day to meet our specific requirements. An excellent day and we learnt a great deal.

We booked the American itinerary and it was just my husband and me. Rod picked us up at our hotel and it was as if an old friend were taking us around. He explained the 1916 Battle of the Somme to us, which we Americans never hear much about in our history classes. As we went, he then described the American experience, beginning in 1917. It was utterly amazing to walk along the edge of a newly-plowed field and find artifacts such as bullets and ammunition clips, nearly a century later! Rod had a map of the trenches on his GPS, so we could see the battlefield layout as we drove along. The most moving part of the day was at the American Cemetery at Bony. As we walked among the graves, at 5 PM, taps was played over the loudspeaker system and we watched as the colors were retired. My husband, a Navy veteran, helped the park manager fold the flag. The moment brought tears to our eyes. If you are interested in history, this tour is not to be missed.

We booked this trip months prior and all went like clockwork .Rod met us at the station as planned . We were the only 2 on the tour that day and as Australians ,Rod was able to slant the tour to us . Rod was knowledgable ,generous and generally a great host . We spent a fabulous day touring the memorials and battlefields .We could not have had any clue if we had tried to do this ourselves . A lovely touch was lunch at his house with the very hospitable Jackie ., who is a great cook !I would highly recommend this tour and this company

This was simply excellent and highly recommended. Jackie Bedford's knowledge was shared at the right moments and was engaging and massively informative. The trip was perfectly timed and we covered exactly what we wanted in the time available.I loved the way that she listened as well as talked, and tailored the information to the level of knowledge we already had and to our own experience and backgrounds (my Grandfather fought in the first battle of the Somme, and my wife is Australian and had been brought up on tales of Villiers- Bretonneux. We left having had a moving, informative and exceptional experience. Full marks to Jackie. I cannot recommend her tours more highly.

We were collected from our hotel by Jackie who made everything easy .the trip was booked from Australia before we left and all arrangements just flowed with Jackiies organisationHer knowledge of the the battlefields and history made this an informative and exciting day.Her personnel background offer insights into the way of life in the forces .For me it was the little asides which were given in this personnel tour which I do not believe you would have in a large group that made the day .I came home with an understanding of the the environment the soldiers would have been living in as well I suppose a widening of my own thinking just by a little comment which was made by Jackie i( what would motivate men to risk their live and fight to achieve so much) The tour was tailored to us as Australians it is obvious the high esteem and respect Jackie has for the battle fields I would recommend this trip very highly

Thank you for taking the time to post a review, we do put the client first so it was lovely to see that you reinforce that.Re the e mailing response, we now have the wonderful Isabelle manning the office so response times will be within 24 hours.Jackie

On 11 August we made a private visit to Dernancourt Cemetery Extension, near Albert, Somme, to pay our respects to a great-uncle who lies there. The following day we participated in a Battlefields Experience 1-day tour of the Somme out of Amiens, led by Jackie Bedford. This proved to be an excellent choice and Jackie Bedford brought alive for us both the geography and the conditions encountered 100-years ago. The pace of the tour was good and when weather conditions offered threat, it was clear that she had alternative 'stops' in mind proving her knowledge of the region and the history of the conflict there. We also enjoyed the mix of participant... we Scots among Australians. Our own visit to Dernancourt was special, but the Battlefields Experience tour enhanced it manyfold.

After a delay caused by me we were met by Rod Bedford who took my wife and I on a wonderful 3 days through Ypres, the Somme, Villers, Bretonnrux and Amiens, visiting various Battle Fields and points of interest.Rod's experience and knowledge, of the military from way back until today is enormous. His sense of humour and manner of passing that knowledge to us was enjoyable and entertaining whether it involved "Pink Lamborghini's" or "Hill 60".If you are going they are a must to consider!