The CWGC Experience
An extraordinary organisation, an extraordinary experience
Reopening the CWGC Experience
We are pleased to announce, in accordance with the latest French government advice, that our award-winning visitor centre, the CWGC Experience, will reopen to the public on Monday 29 June.
The health and safety of our visitors and staff is our number one priority. We have therefore, introduced several measures that we would ask all visitors to observe:
We are limiting the maximum number of visitors at any one time to 50 people. As such, pre-booking is recommended for groups of more than 12 people. You can contact our friendly staff at the centre on cwgcexperience@cwgc.org or 00 33 (0)3 21 21 52 75.
A one-way system is in place and visitors are asked to observe strict social distancing of 2 metres.
The wearing of a facemask is mandatory (except for children under 11 years old).
Sanitising gel will be available at the entrance and in the centre and preventive measures to disinfect surfaces and equipment in the Centre will be carried out regularly.
What is the CWGC Experience?
The CWGC Experience is a unique new visitor attraction that shines a light on the work of the remarkable organisation at the heart of remembrance of the war dead. For the first time, visitors will be able to take a look behind-the-scenes at the work that is needed to commemorate the 1.7 million Commonwealth casualties from the First and Second World Wars.
Our free audio guide will walk you through each aspect of the work we do: from the story of how we still recover and rebury the dead today, to the skilled artisan craftsmen at work maintaining the world's most impressive and recognisable monuments and memorials, a trip to the battlefields of the Western Front is not complete without a visit to the CWGC Experience.
The CWGC Experience was awarded the Best Tourism Project in Europe at the 2019 British Guild of Travel Writers’ International Tourism Awards. The BGTW is a community of accredited writers, photographers and broadcasters and the trusted body for independent editorial comment and expert content on worldwide travel.
WHAT WILL I SEE AT THE CWGC EXPERIENCE?
UPCOMING EVENTS
Due to the evolution of the sanitary situation in Northern France, we have decided to cancel the Heritage Days 2020 and postpone this event until next year. We hope to be able to organise new open days where our teams and craftsmen will be able to talk to visitors in the best conditions possible. The centre remains open from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, with guided tours available upon booking.
Download our events programme:
Our events programme is available to download in English and French:
Explore nearby
Located in the heart of the battlefields of the First World War, The CWGC Experience is an easy drive away from some of the most recognisable locations on the Western Front.
Download our map and visit some of the key cemeteries and memorials in France.
Situated between two war cemeteries, Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery lies south of Souchez, France.
Find out moreIt commemorates over 72,000 men of British and South African forces who died in the Somme sector.
Find out moreVisitor Information
Opening times and facilities
We're open from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.
The CWGC Experience is closed at weekends, on French public holidays (13 and 14 July; 14 August), on Friday 30 October (All Saints Day) and during December and January for maintenance - the final day of operations will be Monday 30 November 2020.
Facilities
Toilets, a gift shop and vending machines are available at the centre
Accessibility
We are committed to providing an accessible attraction, and we strive to ensure that visitors with disabilities can enjoy as much of our centre as possible.
If you have any questions, or to arrange any additional support for your visit please contact us at cwgcexperience@cwgc.org or call us on +33 (0)3 21 21 52 75.
Assistance dogs are welcome.
Parking
Entry to the CWGC Experience is free and free parking is provided for all vehicles with fewer than 12 seats.
We have limited parking for larger vehicles and 12 seaters and above must book in advance of their visit. Please click here for more information.
A parking fee applies for larger vehicles.
Are you planning to visit as part of a group? All coach bookings must be made in advance of your visit.
Find The CWGC Experience
If travelling by car, please note
Due to roadworks on the D917 in Beaurains, we wish to inform visitors to the CWGC Experience that the visitor centre remains accessible.
For visitors coming through Arras: take the rue Jean Jaurès at the traffic lights, turn right onto Rue Pasteur and straight across onto Rue Angèle Richard.
For visitors coming from Bapaume on the D917: turn left at the roundabout in the direction of Agny on the D60 and right at the next roundabout onto Rue Angèle Richard.
We are sorry for the inconvenience and we look forward to seeing you.
Getting here and coach bookings
The CWGC Experience is located just south of Arras in the heart of the First World War battlefields. The centre is only an hour from the channel ports and is easily reached by car (public parking is available on site). There are good rail links to Arras. Our address is:
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
5-7 rue Angele Richard
62217 Beaurains
France
You can get to us:
By car
From Lille or Paris: direct access from the A1 motorway (exit 15) on to the D939.
From Calais: take the A26 to Saint-Quentin. Exit 7 to Arras-Centre on to the D917.
By train
Eurostar from London to Lille with good connections from Lille to Arras. TGV from Paris to Arras.
By ferry/channel tunnel
Ferry services to Calais, Le Shuttle service to Calais.
By air
Lille airport in Lesquin or Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris.