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Tyne Cot Cemetery & Visitors Centre: A Testament to Sacrifice

Pay tribute to WWI heroes at Tyne Cot, the world's largest Commonwealth war cemetery, a poignant memorial to the Battle of Passchendaele.

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Tyne Cot Cemetery, near Passendale, Belgium, is the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world, a poignant reminder of the Battle of Passchendaele during World War I. It holds over 11,900 graves and commemorates nearly 35,000 missing servicemen on the Tyne Cot Memorial. The adjacent visitors center provides historical context and panoramic views of the battlefield.

A brief summary to Tyne Cot Cemetery & Visitors Centre

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Visit the free visitors center for historical context and a panoramic view of the battlefield.
  • Allow ample time to wander through the cemetery and reflect on the sacrifices made.
  • Check the opening hours of the visitors center, as it is closed in December and January.
  • Consider combining your visit with the nearby Passchendaele Museum for a more comprehensive understanding of the battle.
  • Wheelchair access is available via an entrance at the rear of the cemetery.
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Getting There

  • Car

    Tyne Cot Cemetery is located approximately 9 kilometers northeast of Ieper (Ypres). Follow the N332 from Ieper towards Zonnebeke, then turn onto Tynecotstraat. Parking is available behind the visitors center. Note that the road in front of the cemetery is one-way. There is no fee to enter the cemetery or visitor center.

  • Public Transport

    From Ieper, take the De Lijn bus line 90 towards Roeselare. The bus stops at 'Passendale Tyne Cot', approximately a 10-minute walk from the cemetery. The bus fare is approximately €3. Buses depart every 30 minutes. Check the De Lijn website for the most up-to-date schedule.

  • Taxi

    A taxi from Ieper to Tyne Cot Cemetery takes approximately 13 minutes and costs between €24 and €29.

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Discover more about Tyne Cot Cemetery & Visitors Centre

Tyne Cot Cemetery stands as a solemn tribute to the fallen of World War I, particularly the Battle of Passchendaele. Located near the village of Passendale in Belgium, it is the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world. The name 'Tyne Cot' is believed to have originated from the Northumberland Fusiliers, who thought the German blockhouses resembled Tyne cottages. Originally a German defensive position, the site was captured by the 3rd Australian Division in October 1917. It became an advanced dressing station, and a small cemetery grew around it. After the war, the cemetery was greatly expanded, with remains brought in from the surrounding battlefields. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker, the cemetery was inaugurated in 1927. Today, Tyne Cot contains the graves of 11,961 Commonwealth servicemen, with over 8,300 unidentified. The cemetery also features several German pillboxes, remnants of the original fortifications. The Tyne Cot Memorial, forming the cemetery's northeastern boundary, commemorates nearly 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom and New Zealand who died in the Ypres Salient after August 16, 1917, and whose graves are unknown. A visitors centre, inaugurated in 2007 by Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Paola of Belgium, offers historical information, exhibits, and a panoramic view of the battlefield. The Cross of Sacrifice stands atop a large pillbox, and the Stone of Remembrance bears the inscription "Their Name Liveth For Evermore". Visiting Tyne Cot is a moving experience, providing a powerful connection to the past and honoring the sacrifices made during the Great War.

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