Top Things to do in Belgian Westhoek
Things to do in Belgian Westhoek, Flanders: The Best Museums
Discover the best top things to do in Belgian Westhoek, Belgium including Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, Pondfarm Museum (by appointment), MuseOs, In Flanders Fields Museum, Hooge Crater Museum, Museum Paul Delvaux, Openluchtmuseum Bachten De Kupe, Abdijmuseum Ten Duinen, Museum Aan de IJzer, Hotel-Museum Arthur Merghelynck.
Restaurants in Belgian Westhoek
1. Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 996 reviews
The Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 presents the historic story of the First World War in a poignant and vivid way, with a particular emphasis on the Battle of Passchendaele. This battle in 1917 is known as one of the most horrific battles from the First World War, with more than half-a-million casualties for a territorial gain of merely eight kilometres. ‘Passchendaele’ not only became a concept in the history of the First World War, it also became a symbol of the great futility of the violence of war in all its horror. The Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 combines the interactive design of a modern museum with the exceptional aspect of experiencing the Dugouts & Trenches. Last admission at 16:30.
Reviewed By earlro - London, United Kingdom
Amazingly well presented experience including realistic reconstructions of deep underground bunkers and then both British and German trenches outside. A must and very good value.
2. Pondfarm Museum (by appointment)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
The Pondfarm collection can only be visited by early appointment via the contactpage of the website! Thank you!
Reviewed By Boabdil07 - Croydon, United Kingdom
For some reason I have never got around to leaving a review for Pond Farm before although I have visited 3 times now. I would recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Stijn is always extremely welcoming and gives you a great tour of his museum and the German bunker near the farmhouse. Virtually everything in the museum has been found on the farm and it is an amazing collection. He is also building a WW1 tank which is now in working order - no gunfire though! You have to book in advance - and donations are always appreciated. This is a working farm so be careful to look out for the cats as you drive in/out.
3. MuseOs
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Kindvriendelijk natuurhistorisch museum gespecialiseerd in schedels, skeletten en fossielen van gewervelde dieren uit heel de wereld. Interactieve zoek- en doe-opdrachtjes voor jong en oud. Gratis koffie. Persoonlijke ontvangst door de stichters Luc en Leentje. Openingstijden: in schoolvakanties zo-ma-woe-do van 10h00 tot 17h00 doorlopend. Alle andere dagen van het jaar op afspraak.
4. In Flanders Fields Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,564 reviews
The Ypres region was the backdrop to on of the bloodiest battles in history, 100 years ago. Now the last witness have died too, the In Flanders Fields Museum is more than ever the gateway to the First World War in Flanders. The In Flanders Fields Museum confronts the visitor with the consequences of the Great War. Old and young are faced with life and death in the Ypres front region. The exhibition with touching video projects, unique sound fragments and the most up-to-date multimedia applications immerse you in the life at the front. each visitor also receives a poppy bracelet that enables him/her to discover four personal stories of 'Joe Public' in the Great War. By logging in you can meet your peers in the war, a century ago.
Reviewed By GemsNI - Armagh, United Kingdom
The In Flanders Fields Museum is housed in a beautiful historic building in the centre of the main square. Ypres was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in First World War in Flanders and the exhibitions show how the battle progressed, how the soldiers survived in the trenches and the senselessness of death in battle. The In Flanders Fields Museum gives the visitor a Poppy bracelet to wear which allows you to interact with the exhibits and read more information - this allows you to immerse yourself in the exhibits and makes the experience more 'personal'. The living history videos with first hand accounts were excellent. I cried several times throughout the museum as it was so personal/real. A Must see museum- the more you immerse yourself into the exhibits, the more emotional it becomes.
5. Hooge Crater Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 742 reviews
Full scale reconstructions of war scenes, an extended collection of weapons, war equipment and photos make this museum to a true must-see!The chapel, in which the museum is located, dates back from the early twenties. This chapel was built directly across the Hooge Crater cemetery in memory of the many fallen soldiers on the battle fields of ‘Hooge’ over a period of 4 years. Rare military clothing of the troops, that where fighting in the ‘Ypres Salient’ (Ieperboog) are exposed in glass displays. Also you can see some full scale scenes of the Great War battle fields, very authentically reproduced. The theme of the scenes is very divers: German bunkers, British trenches and full scale horses with cavalry troops on their backs.
Reviewed By TopTraveller18 - Four Marks, United Kingdom
Hooge Crater Museum is an interesting and informative museum, which really helped me understand some of the features of the warfare in World War One. There were many visual elements to the museum, with plenty of artefacts and objects that helped explain the key features of the warfare. The museum was a lovely tribute to those who had died and served in the war. There is a café and also a small gift shop, where, amongst other things, bullets found in nearby battlefields can be bought for a very reasonable price. The museum is well kept and a must - go if you are in the area.
6. Museum Paul Delvaux
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Reviewed By Sixtine96 - London, United Kingdom
We were fortunate to have one of the ladies working for the museum giving us insights on the frescoes Paul Delvaux created for the Périer House. Reproductions are part of a temporary exhibition. Fascinating story about the vision of an art lover, Mr Périer, immortalised with his wife and daughter on the frescoes. The Périer House is still in private hands. The museum gives you a good idea how the house looked after Delvaux finished his master piece. The permanent collection shows the artist’works from his early beginnings until 1989 when he stopped painting following the death of his wife and declining vision. Beautiful love story. Love defying time and old promises. Well laid out museum.
7. Openluchtmuseum Bachten De Kupe
8. Abdijmuseum Ten Duinen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By Hendrik3078 - Leuven, Belgium
In the visitor site you see information about the history of this important abbey in the middle ages, his impact and decline. The live in an abbey, ... also artefacts found in the ruins, a huge Lego model of the abbey, ... Afterwards you can visit the ruins and get an impression of the size of this abbey.
9. Museum Aan de IJzer
Overall Ratings
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).
Reviewed By Michael-Aylesford - Aylesford, United Kingdom
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.
