World War I: Venues and Resources

The Great War

A school residential trip focusing on World War I allows students to reflect on the immense global impact of the first industrialised conflict, examining its profound effect on the Home Front and the daily lives of those left behind.

The South Coast and the Isle of Wight played a pivotal role during the Great War, serving as critical hubs for troop mobilisation, naval operations, and large-scale military hospitals. By exploring these regional historic sites and memorials, pupils can step outside the classroom to engage deeply with themes of remembrance, the rapid acceleration of military technology, and the dramatic shift in social roles.

• The Home Front and Society: Students investigate how the total war effort transformed everyday life, exploring the introduction of rationing, the vital new roles women took on in factories and agriculture, and the broader impact on local coastal communities.
• Industrialised Warfare and Technology: Interactive experiences help pupils understand the staggering technological shifts of the era, from the expansion of naval power and regional coastal defences to the dawn of military aviation and mechanised combat.
• Remembrance and the Fallen: Through poignant visits to local war memorials, historic graveyards, and former military hospital sites, children explore the devastating human cost of the conflict and the lasting importance of commemoration and peace.

Browse our curated selection of venues and educational activities below to build the perfect World War I history itinerary for your class.