The Waterloo Campaign

Anniversary re-enactment tour

The Waterloo campaign in June 1815 ensured the relative peace of Western Europe for almost 100 years. Waterloo was the first time that two of the greatest commanders of all time, Napoleon and Wellington, were to be in direct confrontation and it was also to be the last battle for both of them. The circumstances surrounding the battle of Waterloo are well enough known, the Prussian Army under Blucher arriving in time to tip the scales in the Allies' favour as Wellington's 'infamous army' hung on grimly to the ridge at Mont St Jean.

Our three day Waterloo battlefield tour takes a very relaxed approach to the Waterloo campaign, visiting the museums and battlefields of Quatre Bras, Ligny and, of course, Waterloo itself. An added benefit to this tour is the likelihood of re-enactors appearing on the battlefields on this, the 195th Waterloo anniversary. For additional convenience and comfort our Waterloo anniversary tour is travelling Eurostar from London to Brussels return.

"The next greatest misfortune to losing a battle is to gain such a victory as this".

Duke of Wellington

Day 1.

Mid-morning Eurostar departure to Brussels from London St Pancras International. Check into our hotel before commencing a walk around selected central Brussels localities connected to the Waterloo campaign, such as the site of the Duchess of Richmond's Ball and Wellington's headquarters.

Day 2.

Our Waterloo battlefield tour stops in the town of Waterloo and visits the excellent Wellington museum and St Joseph's church. Continue on to the battlefield and visit the atmospheric chateau of Hougoumont. Drive to Picton's crossroads for the massed French infantry attacks and British cavalry charges. Stroll down to La Haye Sainte via the Sandpit and discuss its desperate defence. Return to the Allied ridge for the Visitor's Centre, the Lion Mound, Panorama and Waxworks. In the afternoon we look at the massed French cavalry attacks and the British squares before we travel to the French side of the battlefield and visit Napoleon's headquarters at Le Caillou and observation point at La Belle Alliance. On to Plancenoit and the bloody battle for its possession against the advancing Prussians before returning to La Belle Alliance and the final attack of Napoleon's Imperial Guard.

"As the sun went down, the darkness swallowed not only an army, but an empire".

Private William Wheeler

Day 3.

Drive to Quatre Bras to visit the crossroads, Gemioncourt farm and the Duke of Brunswick's memorial. Continue to Ligny for the terrible battle fought between the French and Prussians at the same time as Quatre Bras. We visit Blucher's observation point at Brye, Napoleon's mill at Fleurus and the villages of St Amand and Ligny that were virtually destroyed during the battle. Return to Brussels for late afternoon Eurostar to London St Pancras International, arriving early evening.