2026 Arnhem - Operation Market Garden

DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, drive down to Dover for the short sea crossing to France. Continue through France and Belgium to Arnhem with suitable stops along the way. Check into your centrally located hotel in Arnhem for your 3-night stay. Bed & continental breakfast daily

DAY 2 - Head south of the river today to Driel and the Polish drop zone. Here you will find the National Monument for the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade which commemorates the 94 Polish soldiers who died during Operation Market Garden who landed with the intention of crossing the river to reinforce Oosterbeek. Visit the nearby location of the 'Battle of the Crossroads' (included in the TV series 'Band of Brothers') which involved fierce fighting as British troops tried to hold the line while awaiting reinforcements from XXX Corps. They faced a determined enemy and ultimately had to withdraw, resulting in a costly failure for the Allied operation. Stop at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, the CWGC cemetery containing the largest number of Canadian war dead in the Netherlands with 2,338 graves. 

Onto the city of Nijmegen on the River Waal where 82nd Airborne fought to secure the bridges. With two bridges across the Waal, it was vital for the Allied advance towards Arnhem and Germany later on. On 20 September 1944 U.S. troops managed to capture both bridges and liberate the city. An allowance for a packed lunch is provided for you today. Return to Arnhem and the famous road bridge, the 'Bridge Too Far' which was renamed John Frost Bridge after Major-General John Dutton Frost who commanded the British forces that reached and defended the bridge during September 1944. Time permitting, visit the Airborne at the Bridge Museum (entrance FOC) which focuses on the action at the road bridge. Dinner at leisure in the city with a good choice of restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.

DAY 3 - Head out of Arnhem today to visit the drop and landing zones west of the city. The Airborne Monument at Heelsum remembers the 1st Airborne Division landing in the area on 1 September 1944. The Glider Landmark and Memorial at Wolfheze gives the impression of a British Horsa glider landing and is located on the site that was used as a landing zone on 17-18 September 1944. Make a stop at the landing zone at Ginkel Heath where 2,300 paratroopers of the 4th Parachute Brigade landed and then head along 'Spindler's Blocking Line', instrumental in stopping the majority of the Airborne division reaching Arnhem. Visit the CWGC Cemetery in Oosterbeek (also known as the Airborne Cemetery) where over 1600 Commonwealth service personnel are buried or commemorated, including those members of the 1st Airborne Division who were killed during the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. Continue onto Oosterbeek crossroads where so much sacrifice was made by the British to secure a defensive perimeter before stopping for an included light lunch at a nearby local restaurant. 

Visit the superb and very moving Airborne Museum 'Hartenstein' dedicated to the 1944 Battle of Arnhem, housed within the impressive 19th century Villa Hartenstein (former HQ of the 1st Airborne Division). Oosterbeek Church, known as Lonsdale Church was where Major Richard Lonsdale gave a speech to his men from the pulpit. Close by is St Elisabeth's Hospital, which was turned into apartments but kept its original façade. It was the main medical facility on this side of Arnhem, and medical units from 1st Airborne Division quickly began to use it as the Battle for Arnhem commenced and a large number wounded were received here. It is also the location of General Urquhart's famous 'stopover' and there will be an extended walk here to explore the area before returning to Arnhem. Dinner at leisure in Arnhem this evening

DAY 4 - Travel back through Holland, Belgium and France to Calais for the return to England.