Walking Waterloo

The Campaign on Foot

Military History and Battlefield Walking Tours

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

To be confirmed

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

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

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

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

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).

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