Walking Waterloo
The Campaign on Foot
Tour Introduction
Waterloo is a fascinating but subtle battlefield. Wellington’s eye for terrain and talent for drawing his opponent onto ground of his own choosing allowed him to observe enemy dispositions and approach routes whilst concealing his own troops thus achieving tactical surprise which was key to his success.
Under the guidance of Ashley Truluck, former soldier and chairman of the Society for Army Historical Research, you will gain that same insight. Ashley has spent a lifetime studying Wellington’s command style and tactics: he lived for 3 years near Waterloo, knows the battlefield intimately and he is a keen walker: the perfect host to guide you ‘off piste’ to provide a general’s perception of what it would be like to command and fight on the battlefields of Ligny, Quatre Bras and especially Waterloo.
These will be a series of country walks, not a route march, during which we cover about 5 or 6 miles a day, with stops for lunch and beverages. There is nothing here that any reasonably fit weekend walker couldn’t cope with but what this tour really offers is fresh air, a fresh perspective, and a chance to enjoy the surprisingly peaceful and pretty Belgian countryside in the convivial company of fellow walkers.
Highlights
- With Maj Gen Ashley Truluck
- View battlefield from the soldiers' perspective
- Understand the lines of sight and communication challenges
- Feel the ground and appreciate its challenges
- A day and half walking Waterloo
- A full day walking Ligny and Quatre Bras
Tour Details
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Expert Guides
Major General Ashley Truluck CB CBE BA
Ashley Truluck is a History graduate with a life-long fascination for Military History. As a soldier, he served worldwide with the Gurkhas, in Communications and Intelligence, with Army Aviation and on the General Staff, retiring as a Major General. Throughout that time he led battlefield studies – a passion he has carried over into his second career. Ashley has spent a lifetime studying Wellington’s command style and tactics: he lived for 3 years near Waterloo, knows the battlefield intimately and he is a keen walker: the perfect host to guide you ‘off piste’ to provide a general’s perception of what it would be like to command and fight on the battlefields of Ligny, Quatre Bras and especially Waterloo.
Background
The Waterloo Campaign in June 1815 ensured relative peace in Western Europe for the next fifty years.
It was the first time that the two greatest commanders of the era, Napoleon and Wellington, met each other in battle and it was to be the last campaign for both of them.
It was also the last campaign for grand old Marshal Blucher whose Prussian Army, having been trounced at Ligny, nevertheless arrived in the nick of time to tip the scales in the Allies’ favour as Wellington’s ‘infamous army’, already tested at Quatre Bras, hung on grimly to the ridge at Waterloo.
"Guides were excellent, and there was a good balance between military history and local sightseeing"
What's Included
- Return Eurostar Plus from London (optional)
- Dedicated Tour Manager
- Expert historians throughout providing a daily variety of talks, presentations and Q&A
- Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
- The company of like-minded travelers
- Dinner parties hosted by your expert historians and tour manager
- Buffet breakfast each morning
- Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
- Helpful and friendly travel advice
- Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach
Itinerary
Day 1 - Brussels & Waterloo Town
Day 1 - Brussels & Waterloo Town
Travel from London St Pancras with Eurostar to Brussels Midi station where the group assembles. Meet coach and drive to Brussels centre for a stroll into and around the magnificent Grand Place and Royal Park where the story of the Waterloo campaign begins. On to Waterloo town to visit Wellington’s headquarters opposite our comfortable hotel in the centre of the town and our base for the tour. Welcoming drinks and evening talk before dinner. (D)
Day 2 - Ligny & Quatre Bras
Day 2 - Ligny & Quatre Bras
We walk from the French positions and follow their attack route across fields into the riverside village of Ligny to get a feel for its tenacious defence by Prussian troops. Then up through cornfields for a panoramic view from the site of Blucher's windmill - where he and Wellington met prior to the battle. We take lunch at Pierpont farmhouse (now a golf club) where the concurrent battle of Quatre Bras opened. After viewing the battlefield from the strategic crossroads which give the battle its name, we walk out to Cherry Wood on the British left flank and thence cross the very centre of the battlefield, discussing the highlights as we go. We end our day by driving the route of Wellington's skilful withdrawal through Genappe to Waterloo where we will take dinner in a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 3 - Waterloo
Day 3 - Waterloo
After surveying the battlefield from Napoleon's command post at La Belle Alliance, we start our walk from the excellent new Hougoumont visitor centre, walking the length of the Allied Ridge discussing the French infantry and cavalry attacks as we go. After lunch near La Haye Sainte we push on to the British left flank and - weather permitting - around to see where the Prussians fell on Napoleon's flank at Plancenoit where we stop for refreshment in the picturesque village square. Dinner tonight will be back in Waterloo town. (B, D)
Day 4 - Finale
Day 4 - Finale
We return to the battlefield to walk the route of the Imperial Guard’s famous final attack to the very site where they clashed with Wellington’s elite guards and light troops. The story of the battle will unfold as we go along. Thence to the excellent new Waterloo Visitor Centre on the battlefield before going on to Waterloo with free time for lunch and final shopping/exploration. Travel to Brussels Midi station where the tour ends unless you are returning with us to London St Pancras via Eurostar where we arrive by early evening. (B).
Recommended Reading List
- The Campaign of Waterloo: a Military History published by Forgotten Books (2012)
- The Waterloo Companion: The Complete Guide to History's Most Famous Land Battle published by Aurum Press Ltd (2001)
- Waterloo Battlefield Guide published by Pen & Sword Military (2014)
- Waterloo: A New History of the Battle and its Armies published by Atlantic Books (2014)
- Waterloo: Four Days that Changed Europe’s Destiny published by Abacus (2015)
- Waterloo: The Decisive Victory published by Osprey Publishing (2014)
- Waterloo: The History of Four Days, Three Armies and Three Battles published by William Collins (2014)
Tour Review
Take a look at some independent reviews of this tour by previous participants here