somme heritage centre

I reviewed the centre about a year ago when me and my little grandson ( 9 ) had a ball--he has wanted to go back ever since-- so its half term and I took daughter /husband and 6 grand children and again had a thoroughly good time mainly down to the guide who conducted the tour. Only two criticisms--our tour which comprised at least 20 people finished at 3.15 pm and we headed to the cafe to find it CLOSED--very disappointing. When I queried at reception was told the cafe was a ''separate operarion''The other thing I mentioned in last report -the only indication that the centre is there is a 'brown' sign down on main road---I'm sure that if some flags or big signs were erected on road side the place would get a lot more passing trade

I took my two gransons here aged 13 and 9,,the entrance was free, the guide was super,in telling us all about how and why the young people went to fight in the first war,it was so en lightening,he even dressed my gransons in their uniforms.It all brought a lump to my throat,and my grandsons were jawdropped!!with it all. A MUST SEE !!!!!!!

I went to The Somme Heritage Center last Thursday night, on an organised trip. The museum was brilliant and the tour guide was very informative. The museum takes you on a pretend journey from the recruiting office to the trenches. I really enjoyed this part and found it helped you take all the information in that you were being told by the guide. I learned quite a few things about WW1 and the Irish involvement, 10th,36th and 16th divisions. I'm quite a history geek and have read quite a few books on the subject and have attended quite a few talks on WW1, but this was very different as it was interactive. My favorite part of the tour was the trenches, and minus the mud and the live rounds and the fleas!, they really did give you the feel of what it must have been like. Over all this was a 1st class museum...

This is a great museum, the story of the 36th division, the recruitment from civilian to trench warfare. The guide is excellent and willing to answer questios. I have been here a few times, and it will not be my last. There is a shop to purchase books and merchandise, and a cafe for food. I don't think any visitor would be disappointed.

I stood like an idiot on Monday after following directions from the website and the telephone that the centre was absolutely open until 4pm. I was outside the gates for 20 minutes figuring it was locked until the new tour or something before venturing that the place was closed.Poor form really disappointed it was shut was looking forward to attending and travelled over. Website could do with better points of contact and up to date information.

Not the easyest place to find but worth the hunt. An informative guide tells you the history of the Irish who faught in the first world war. Theres a mock-up of a trench and films do the rest. I've been a couple of times over the years and it's always great.Free entry but the tour costs £5.75 for 1 1/4 hours....well worth it.

Congratulations to the Somme Association for a excellent display. the extensive collection of world War 1 & 2 artifacts which have been donated by relatives so that they can be preserved for future generations. a memorial to all those men and women who served to make this a better world. Walk through the recreated front line trenches.Surrounded by the noise of the tremendous artillery barrage,you can look across 'No Man's Land' before they go over the top.This museum is a place that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, an educational visit to be remembered. Well worth a visit. Less we Forget

On a visit from uk visited the centre with friends. Tour guide Matthew was so knowledgeable in the history he couldn't help but make the trip interesting and strangely enjoyable if that's not the wrong word. The short films and exhibits are good and the trench mockup and memorial film very moving.plenty of toilets and cafe very reasonable. Well worth a visit anytime Outside picnic areas

This is the second time I have visited this attraction. I particularly wanted my 14 year old son to appreciate the educational aspect of the centre; walking through a mock up of what a First World War trench looked like, followed by the short but informative and moving videos which detailed the Irish contribution, and sacrifice, on the Western Front and in particular their role and massive loss of life in the Battle of the Somme. On the day we visited we were asked to join a school group which was rather fun; the tour guide was very enthusiastic, extremely patient, and added significantly to the overall experience. It also made us slow down and take it all in. The cafe on site is extremely good value and you can enjoy a cup of tea and a scone at one of the outdoor tables and enjoy the view. A fitting tribute and memorial to those brave young volunteers.

Was very impressed by this place, have enjoyed all my experiences in this wonderful centre. Would recommend to any visitors to Northern Ireland with somewhat of an interest in history.

Was very impressed with this centre and would return. Only negative was the (experienced) guide. Who kept referring to Rugby and Londonderry - soldiers were from all parts and persuasions of Ireland so please be sensitive to every all visitors backgrounds.

Exceeded my expectations. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience thanks to the excellent tour guide who brought the story of this dreadful war to life by his expert knowledge, interesting exhibits and a short film which described life in the trenches.Visit this Centre; you will not be disappointed. Saddened perhaps, but proud of the young Volunteers who suffered and died for the principles. A totally memorable experience.Be sure to visit the little Cafe - all home made produce - delicious.

This being the centenary year we decided yesterday to fulfil a longstanding intention to visit the Somme Heritage Centre.Do go along and see what is on offer, we were not disappointed. The place was not busy and we were the only two people on the 11am tour. The hour spent with our guide flew past. Following a short introduction to the three Irish Regiments (1 Unionist, 1 Nationalist who both fought on the Somme and 1 who fought in the Dardanelles!) the tour began. Plenty of audio visuals and mock ups complete with genuine artefacts. If anything I would have liked more time to read the commentaries on display as we were shown around but would be happy to go again. To be fair sometimes the guides on this kind of military museum/memorial can be over enthusiastic and provide too much specialist detail, however, our guide got it just right and I liked the personal anecdotes. The whole exhibition is well presented and informative and we were moved almost to tears at some points. We came out feeling how lucky our generation is that we have never had to face the horrors that our parents and grandparents endured.The concessionary cost of admittance was £4.50 each. Afterwards we had lunch at the delightful little cafe. Beautifully clean and bright with lovely home cooked food. Again inexpensive and very good value. We will certainly go back and would not hesitate to recommend it to visitors to the centre and also walkers using the Ulster Way path which is close by. I understand that the Somme Centre is run as a charity but the directors do themselves little favour by the lack of a proper web presence or prominent banners on the main road. I think they are missing a huge opportunity to promote their good work and could have made more of the hundred year anniversary. The Somme Centre deserves to attract much more attention than it does at present so please do go along.

Surprised not more people know about this place - visited here with our kids in July 2014 for the 2nd time as we were so impressed by our first visit a few years ago - still well worth a visit, although we would have liked to have been allowed more time in each of the exhibits - it did feel like the guide was in a hurry to get finished; other than that, our guide was good & very knowledgeable. Terrible to hear of kids as young as 14 ending up in this war & a bit of a shock to our own kids; a very important place, I hope it continues it's great work, as it's a reminder to young & old about how horrible war is. On a different note, it would be great if the Centre had a better website that visitors could keep in touch with...

The attraction is an exhibition of WW1 from a Northern Irish (mostly) perspective. A look at how soldiers of the Great War had to overcome the various pitfalls which the had to overcome, the weapons used and at mock up of how the typical trench might have looked. A great experience which I am looking forward to returning to . Allow a good few hours to take in all that is on offer