The explosion was so powerful that the sound was reportedly heard in parts of London.
The mine was detonated specifically to destroy a German strongpoint known as 'Lochnagar' before the infantry advance.
The crater was purchased in 1978 by Richard Dunning to prevent it from being filled in and destroyed by agricultural development.
Over 100,000 visitors come to the site annually to pay their respects.
The crater represents only one of the many mines exploded simultaneously along the Somme front on the first day of the battle.
Remnants of original barbed wire and trench lines are still identifiable in the immediate vicinity.
The memorial site is privately owned by a non-profit foundation dedicated to preserving the memory of all those who served.
Lochnagar Crater is the largest man-made mine crater created during the First World War on the Western Front. It was formed on July 1, 1916, at 7:28 AM, two minutes before the start of the Battle of the Somme. The explosion resulted from 60,000 pounds of ammonal placed at the end of a 300-meter tunnel dug by the 179th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. The blast created a hole 100 meters in diameter and 30 meters deep, which is now preserved as a memorial. A wooden cross made from a tree trunk from the site stands at the center of the crater. The site is maintained by a charitable trust and is accessible to the public via a perimeter walkway. It serves as a permanent reminder of the scale of underground warfare employed during the conflict. The surrounding landscape remains scarred by evidence of trench warfare.
The highest point of the perimeter rim offers the best wide-angle view of the crater's full diameter.
Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear as the paths around the crater can be muddy or uneven.
Walk the full perimeter to see the varying perspectives of the depth and scale of the crater.
Visit early or late in the day to experience the site without large tour groups.
Do not attempt to pick up any metal objects found in the soil, as unexploded ordnance remains a risk in the Somme region.
Open year-round, but site access may be limited during extreme winter weather or periods of heavy rainfall for safety.
Maintain a quiet and respectful demeanor; do not climb into the crater floor as it is a memorial site.
