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West Flanders

Books on Belgium

The Belgian Coastal Tram

Where’s the world’s largest coastal tram line? Belgium, of course. Jump aboard and off we go!

Walking where many had fallen

Two walks that take you through the heart of Flanders Fields to some of the most poignant World War One cemeteries.

Het Zwin Nature Park, Knokke-Heist, Belgium

Het Zwin Nature Park

Het Zwin Nature Park outside Knokke-Heist on the Belgian coast has been completely revamped. It’s a wonderful place to visit to learn about birds, and see them in real life. In the visitor centre you can learn all about bird migration, and then on the nature trail you can see the birds from special observation hides. Highly recommended for kids!

Walking the Belgian coast

Walking the Belgian coast

Blow away those cobwebs with a walk along the seashore. Start at Oostende and turn right. Walk a couple of hours along the beach until you reach the lovely seaside resort of De Haan where you can stop for lunch. Onwards then to Blankenberge. You can then catch the coastal tram back to Oostende.

Stretcher bearers at Passchendaele, August 1917

Canadians in Belgium: 1914-18

An exhibition at the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres focuses on the contribution of Canadian soldiers in the First World War

Shells from First World War

Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917

The Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 is dedicated to the horrendous bloodbath that was the Battle of Passchendaele. It displays numerous artefacts from the battle, a Dugout Experience that takes you underground into a mock-up of the British Army’s quarters, and reconstructions of trenches.

Soldiers relaxing in Talbot house

Talbot House: A shelter amidst the storm

Talbot House in Poperinge is one of the most evocative First World War sites in Belgium. It was used by soldiers for rest and relaxation before returning to the Front. It’s still very much as it used to be 100 years ago.

Where to go in Belgium?

An easy map to see all the places mentioned on Discovering Belgium