1982 Battlefields

The war between Britain and Argentina in 1982 is of interest to many visitors to the Falklands. Memorials are placed around the Islands and small museums contain artefacts from both British and Argentine military.

San Carlos

Visit the British military cemetery at San Carlos for a poignant look across San Carlos water where the British troops landed and a fierce battle ensued before the famous ‘yomp’ all the way across East Falkland to the capital, Stanley.

Today the atmosphere is notably peaceful and a small corral protects the graves of the few British soldiers buried on the Islands. The view from Sussex Mountain en-route to San Carlos is one of the best in the Falklands and gives a fantastic perspective of the whole area. Explore the peak, with land-owner permission, to discover look-out shelters.

Self-guided walking trails developed for Port Sussex include this area and accommodation is available at both Port Sussex and San Carlos. Day visits can easily be made from Stanley and Mount Pleasant.

Goose Green and Darwin

Around the Goose Green and Darwin area are many significant sites with memorials to British casualties in several different locations. The spot where Colonel H Jones fell is commemorated. above Darwin settlement.

The Argentine Cemetery, also overlooking Darwin has a memorial wall partly surrounding simple white crosses, hung with rosaries and flowers, marking out each grave.

One hundred and fourteen Falkland Islanders were held prisoner by the Argentines in the community building at Goose Green, easily recognisable in the settlement by its ‘tower’.

A small museum in Goose Green charts aspects of the 1982 war in detail, along with other items of historical interest. The museum is locked but the key usually available from Goose Green Galley Café.

Self-guided walking trails developed for these areas include various memorials. Day visits are easily made from both Stanley and Mount Pleasant with visitor accommodation for longer stays.

Stanley

Around Stanley are hilltop memorials for the last battles fought before the final surrender. Self-guided walking trails are developed for individual hills and a ‘pilgrimage trail’ which can be adapted to include a number of the hills and battlefield sites. Tour guides will lead walks and drives to key points and can customise to suit individual requirements.

HMS Glamorgan is remembered at Surf Bay and the Atlantic Conveyor alongside the Cape Pembroke Lighthouse. Memorial Wood and the Liberation Monument on Ross Road commemorate the 255 British servicemen who gave their lives.

Fitzroy

Fitzroy settlement, on East Falkland, has monuments to the Welsh Guards and seamen who lost their lives from the Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram. These memorials overlook the waters where the ships met their terrible fate. An additional memorial is located in Fitzroy settlement and links with the Welsh are demonstrated by the country’s flag.

Accommodation is available in the settlement and it is an easy day trip from Stanley and Mount Pleasant. Self-guided walking trails take in the monuments and other features of interest.

Around the archipelago

Elsewhere in the Islands are other memorials. HMS Sheffield is commemorated on Sea Lion Island. Pebble Island, temporarily requisitioned by the Argentines then recaptured by a daring SAS raid, has memorials including HMS Coventry.

Port Howard Museum contains war memorabilia and the remains of crashed aircraft are situated a short drive from the settlement. 

Captain Hamilton is buried in the local cemetery and a memorial on the hill commemorates the role of HMS Alacrity. Self-guided walking trails include the museum, grave and memorial.

Accommodation options are available at these locations.