Discover the best top things to do in Belgian Westhoek, Belgium including Tyne Cot Cemetery, Last Post ceremony, Saint Julien Memorial, Menin Gate Memorial, The Bluff Crater, The Abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren, Vladslo German War Cemetery, Museum Aan de IJzer, Hill 60, Ramparts Cemetery.
Restaurants in Belgian Westhoek
5.0 based on 1,440 reviews
It is now the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world in terms of burials. At the suggestion of King George V, who visited the cemetery in 1922, the Cross of Sacrifice was placed on the original large pill-box. There are three other pill-boxes in the cemetery. There are now 11,956 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in Tyne Cot Cemetery. 8,369 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to more than 80 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate 20 casualties whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. There are 4 German burials, 3 being unidentified. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker. The TYNE COT MEMORIAL forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery and commemorates nearly 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom and New Zealand who died in the Ypres Salient after 16 August 1917 and whose graves are not known. The memorial stands close to the farthest point in Belgium reached by Commonwealth forces in the First World War until the final advance to victory. The memorial was designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by F V Blundstone.
Extremely moving experience. Very sobering thoughts about the millions who lost their lives in the trench warfare of World War 1. Tyne Cot cemetery should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list.
5.0 based on 2,613 reviews
Everything that has been written about this Ceremony is true,if you can possibly make the journey to Ieper then you must experience this very moving tribute carried out at 8.00pm every night. I had the honour of laying a Wreath recently and this experience ranks as one of the most emotional moments in my life and one that I was honoured to have taken part in. We owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands of people who gave their life’s so willingly in the name of freedom.
5.0 based on 180 reviews
This site commemorating Canadian Soldiers repelling the first gas attacks in World War 1 is a beautiful garden surrounding a very poignant monument.
5.0 based on 4,861 reviews
Ypres (now Ieper) is a town in the Province of West Flanders. The Memorial is situated at the eastern side of the town on the road to Menin (Menen) and Courtrai (Kortrijk). The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927. Each night at 8 pm the traffic is stopped at the Menin Gate while members of the local Fire Brigade sound the Last Post in the roadway under the Memorial's arches.
Anyone can apply to lay a wreath at one of the 8pm ceremonies that have run every night for 90 years at this extraordinary memorial, thanks to the dedication of the Town's volunteers, including the buglers who play Last Post and a version of Reveille. On this evening there were children and youths from about ten schools, alongside the Royal Artillery Association standard bearer, here to present the standard to the Town in recognition of its extraordinary efforts to remember the fallen. Arrive early if you want a close to the arch front row position.
4.5 based on 209 reviews
You are not allowed entrance into the area without setting up an appointment first. Anyway, defintely worth to visit the place that makes "the best beer in the world", and enjoy the Westvleteren beers at the nearby restaurant "In de Vrede". A must visit when in Belgium.
4.5 based on 153 reviews
We wanted to have a look at the statues made by Kathe Kollwitz which are so impressive. They symbolize the grief of parents for their sons who died in battle. Her son Peter is burried just in front of the statues. The cemeteries also has two graves of British soldiers. There are a lot of allied cemeteries, maybe a good idea to visit one the German ones. They were also just young guys who could have had a future.
4.5 based on 346 reviews
The MUSEUM AT THE YSER is a museum with a message. This message is PEACE, FREEDOM AND TOLERANCE and the idea that violence never brings peace. The museum has 22 floors. Entrance Fees Per person € 8,00 ; CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Younger than 7 free ; 7-17 year € 4 The Museum at the Yser (the Yser Tower) is open daily January - February - March - October - November - December: from 9.00 to 17.00 (Sat., Sun-. and Bank Holidays: from 10.00 to 17.00) April - May - June - July - August - September: from 9.00 to 18.00 (Sat., Sun. and Bank Holidays: from 10.00 to 18.00) Closed on 24/25/26/31 December , on 01/02 January + 3 weeks after the Christmas holidays. => The domain is accessible up to 1 hour before closing time. => Dogs are not allowed (except guide dogs).
After a very powerful short film, you get the lift to the 22nd floor, for a great panorama of Diksmuide, then decend a floor at a time to look at the very many artefacts of, and detailed information on, the First World War. Quite gripping, and an absolute 'must' to visit if you are anywhere near the area.
4.5 based on 600 reviews
We were fortunate to visit with a BBC war journalist and he was able to share the story of this site in incredible detail... be sure to research prior to, or during, your visit.
4.5 based on 443 reviews
An easy 10 minute walk from Menin Gate along the Ramparts through pleasant wooded area. Actual cemetary is in a peaceful spot overlooking a lake and as expected very well maintained . Very moving to read headstones of our brave young men dying so early in life.
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