delville woods war memorial

MartLambert

I've been traveling the battlefield for years now and have never really walked around the wood. If you get a chance I recommend you do each pathway leads up another avenue of history

Gloggy

Very nice setting within Delville Woods. The fort is a mini-replica of the fort in Capetown and has a wealth of stories and information inside in spacious areas.Behind the museum is the "last tree standing" and to the left of the museum in the woods there is some evidence of the old trenches.

SherilynD572

Being South African, this memorial had special significance for us. The memorial is set on a beautiful site with oak trees lining the way to the main memorial site. The museum in the visitor centre is excellent, with lots of information on South Africa's role in both World Wars. There is one section that describes the battle at Delville Woods through various quotes from the few survivors. You leave with a good understanding of what the soldiers went through. It is a harrowing feeling. One of the most interesting memorials in Somme.

a_b_c_etc

South Africa's memorial to their lost and missing military. Very interesting visitor centre, very well kept gardens and woods.

DrDonna98

This is another one of the stops on the "Circuit du Souvenir". Unfortunately the museum was closed when we were there but the cemetary is beautifully kept and it is mind-boggling to think so many men from so far away gave thier lives in France.

106jackies

Such an appropriate legacy to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice I left the woods and museum feeling so moved it really left a mark on me and will forever!!I would definitely make time in your Somme experience to visit here

davidhH2943WN

Our visit to the South African Memorial impressed everyone with its beautiful architecture and the marble floors. At the Delville Wood Cemetery we laid crosses laid crosses on the grave of Serjeant Albert GILL, VC of the KRRC and our bugler sounded Last Post & Reveille.

ebobopa

very spooky woods, so thick and dark... beautifully kept graveyard, wonderful memorial and the walk around the museum part so interesting and so informative. wonderful art work as well. lovely tribute.

TravellingSolo_11

Impressive visitor centre, well kept. Worth a visitNot sure if wheelchair access would be good, as it's mostly grassy areas up to the monument and visitor centre

Traveller51_11

Be warned, the interior of the War Memorial is now closed to visitors on Mondays - other than that, opening hours are 10.00 to 18.00 hours daily. There's a good car park but the Information Centre is shut now - the men's toilets were open but the women's were shut ... how weird is that? This all goes to make this particular area of the site feel quite forlorn. There is a short walk from the car park, along the roadside shingled-verge to the entrance gate - from there is a fair walk on grass before you reach the Memorial itself, which is in view all the time. On a previous visit, we went inside the Memorial and I can say it is excellent - so it is worth visiting any day other than a Monday. I suppose the 'up-side' to visiting on a Monday is there probably isn't the same numbers of people visiting and that means you can walk among the Delville Wood trees and 'lose yourself' in the peace of the moment - which is something that wasn't happening 98 years ago!!

robertbI7030XL

Just on the outskirts of Longueval, sits Delville Wood, nestled in the wood now sits the memorial to South Africans of WW1 & WW2. There is a nice walk up to this memorial through the trees. You can also walk through the forest. Memorial is so beautifully peaceful and the only thing you tend to hear is the birds chirping. Inside the memorial is well laid out and like all others I have visited, it h is kept immaculately. Truly worth a visit.

Alan876969

Like all the other locations it's worth the visit, I think it's to the South Africans if I remember but you can walk in the woods and a large cemetery over the road

helstravels

We were one of the first to arrive here once it had opened on a blue sky June morning. I was very peaceful.Very respectful and thought provoking. Good information but I did not notice another member of a party was disabled and it was rather a long walk on crutches along the road from the car park then across the field to gain access.Good information in the memorial its self.

PaulH598

When we arrived at this memorial, we were fortunate to carry out our visit during a memorial service by fans from Leyton Orient Footbal Club. Two of their members lost their lives here, one was shot at dawn. Such tragic circumstances, now we would call it PTSD.

BROMLEYKENT90

Lovely Somme site. Allied War Cemetery is peaceful and beautifully maintained. The South African War Memorial is actually quite stunning. I also enjoyed the nearby Monument to the Footballer's Battalions. Well worth a stop on your Somme Tour.