The CWGC Experience
An extraordinary organisation, an extraordinary experience
Current government advice means that is not necessary to present a health pass to visit The CWGC Experience in Beaurains, however please continue to wear a mask during your visit.
The CWGC Experience is a unique new visitor attraction in Beaurains, near Arras in France 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 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 war 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.
![RECOVERY AND REBURIAL](/media/zoulx4n2/helmet-resize.jpg?v=1d7d0adf04eba90)
![MAINTENANCE TEAMS](/media/qm4jxszn/headstone-resize.jpg?v=1d7d0adebee46a0)
![MASONS, CARPENTERS AND BLACKSMITHS](/media/nhzjgjuv/blacksmith-resize.jpg?v=1d7d0adcfa16720)
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 French war graves and locations on the Western Front.
Download our map and visit some of the key cemeteries and war 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 and during December and January for maintenance - the final day of operations will be Tuesday 30 November 2022. Please note that the centre will also be closed for public holidays from 15 to 18 April, on 29 April, 6 May, 6 June, 15 July and 31 October .
Facilities
Toilets, a gift shop and vending machines are available at the centre.
Accessibility
The CWGC Experience is open to all and we strive to ensure that all of our visitors can enjoy as much of our centre as possible.
If you have any questions or want to know how we can support 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.
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
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.