Lochnagar Crater

About

Lochnagar Crater is a living memorial to one of the world’s most devastating battles – the 1916 Somme Offensive. The crater, born from a 60,000‑lb explosive charge detonated by the 179th Tunnelling Company, remains the largest man‑made crater on Britain’s Western Front. Today the site serves as a place of remembrance, peace and reconciliation, drawing around 200,000 visitors each year, including school groups, veterans and families. At the heart is the “Lochnagar Memorial” where annual remembrance ceremonies are held on 1 July and 11 November, welcoming up to 1,500 people to lay wreaths, hear the Last Post and scatter poppy and cornflower petals around the rim. Visitors can walk the Trench Walk, explore the 3‑D “Lochnagar Labyrinth” of wall panels that narrate the battle, and witness the carefully maintained earthworks surrounding the crater. The visitor experience is free, open year‑round, and designed to accommodate wheelchairs and families alike, with a wooden walkway and clear pathways that lead to viewing platforms overlooking the wide, white crater rim. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a school group looking to bring lessons alive, or simply a traveler wishing to walk in the footsteps of soldiers, the site offers a quiet, powerful encounter with the past. The changing seasons add a different quality to the landscape – in spring and early autumn you’ll find fewer crowds and pleasant weather that enhances the sense of reflection. The Lochnagar Crater Foundation, founded by Richard Dunning MBE in 1978, ensures the preservation of the site, encourages community involvement, and hosts educational programmes that help young people understand the cost of war.

Good to Know

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 2 hours