Delve into the detail of the Battle of Waterloo, the captivating battle between the Duke of Wellington and his army of British, Dutch, Belgian, and German soldiers against Napoleon's French Imperial Guard on 18 June 1815.
On a four-day trip in April 2024, journey from the Duke of Wellington's home at Apsley House on Hyde Park Corner to Brussels. You'll spend two full days visiting the places where the events unfolded between two formidable leaders.
You'll visit the Wellington Museum, where weapons and other artefacts are displayed, and see the field hospital where troops were tended to. You'll visit key battlefields and the building where Napoleon spent the night before the battle, where his camp bed and funeral mask remain.
Hear expert commentary from your host and guide, Julian Humphrys, throughout the trip. Julian will bring the events of 15 June 1815 to life and share his detailed knowledge of the times in a lively and engaging way. Julian will also deliver two entertaining evening lectures at your hotel in Brussels, giving unparalleled insight into topics relating to Wellington's army and what happened when Napoleon was exiled to St Helena after his defeat.
Visits to significant battle sites are balanced with explorations of modern-day Brussels, with a guided city tour on one afternoon, and the final day is yours to spend in the city as you wish.
Throughout the trip, you'll stay in the four-star Marivaux Hotel, a converted cinema near the historic Grand Palace on the elegant Boulevard Adolphe Max.
Your trip begins at Apsley House at Hyde Park Corner, once known as Number 1 London. It was the home of the first Duke of Wellington, and the interior has changed little since the Battle of Waterloo, offering visitors a fascinating step back in time and the perfect scene-setter to the journey ahead.
A coach will take you to London St Pancras, where you'll board the Eurostar to Brussels. On arrival, you'll check into the Marivaux Hotel for the next three nights.
Tonight, enjoy a welcome drink with your group before hearing a lecture from Julian Humphrys on 'The Scum of the Earth: Wellington's Army', before dinner is served with wine at the hotel.
This morning, you'll learn about the Battle of Wellington from the English perspective on visits to the Wellington Museum in Waterloo and Mont St Jean Farm, which served as a British field hospital. The museum is in the building used as the headquarters by the Duke of Wellington in 1815. Visitors can see weapons and engravings from the time and retrace stories of the nations and fighters who participated in the confrontations of 18 June 1815.
In the afternoon, you'll join a guided city tour to see the highlights of Brussels. Later, on return to the hotel, listen to another fascinating lecture by Julian Humphrys, 'Emperor in exile: Napoleon on St Helena', before dinner is served with wine.
After breakfast, you'll venture out for a full day in the company of your knowledgeable host, visiting key sites, including Hougoumont Farm, Lion's Mound, Panorama, the 1815 memorial and Eglise Sainte Catherine. You'll also visit Napoleon's Last Headquarters at the Ferme de Caillou, where he spent the night before the battle and which still displays artefacts, including his camp bed and funeral mask.
Tonight is yours to spend as you wish in Brussels.
The day is yours to spend at your leisure before departing on the Eurostar and returning to London.
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