Ocean Villas

June 21st - 22nd 2011

A brief visit overnight to Auchonvillers, the Somme - or 'Ocean Villas' as the WW1 British Tommy called it.

Our friend Thomas, from the Black Forest, having spent a few days in England visiting his mates, was going back to Germany via Dieppe. So why not have a little ride-out with him as far as the Somme?

Avril Williams guest house incorporating the Ocean Villa Tea Rooms.

The front sunken garden with replica observation post facing the position of the front line which would have have been just a few hundred yards away.

 

The original garden well that Avril hasn't quite got to the bottom of!

Auchonvillers is one of the many villages on the Front Line at the time of the Battles of the Somme which took place from 1st July to November 1916.
 

Avril has a museum of WW1 and WW2 exhibits just over the road from the guest house, plus dozens of items on display in the house and tea rooms.

Coffee in the farmhouse in the evening, surrounded by history.

Restored WW1 trenches in the back garden and a view of the rear entrance to the cellar which was used as a first-aid dressing station.

Thomas and Wil - Duck or Grouse!