Lee P Posted 28 January , 2018 Share Posted 28 January , 2018 We are going to Bruges in March for a few days. The plan is to visit Ypres for at least a day whilst there. Can anyone suggest some places that should not be missed whilst out there. I am driving so we are fairly flexible on where to visit. We are catching the ferry back from Dunkirk so plan to spend some time in Dunkirk the day we return so again any places not to miss would be helpful Thanks in advance. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonmate Posted 28 January , 2018 Share Posted 28 January , 2018 There COULD be a big list ! I will restrict my suggestions to : 1) In Flanders Fields Museum in the Cloth Hall on the Grote Markt http://www.inflandersfields.be/en 2) The daily, 8 pm, Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interested Posted 28 January , 2018 Share Posted 28 January , 2018 You could pop into St. George's chapel for a quiet moment, too. http://www.stgeorgesmemorialchurchypres.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithfazzani Posted 28 January , 2018 Share Posted 28 January , 2018 A walk around the ramparts and a visit to the Ramparts Cemetery by Lille Gate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 28 January , 2018 Share Posted 28 January , 2018 I agree with all the above posts plus a visit to Tyne Cot if you have time. (I stayed in Ypres for the Passchendaele Centenary last year). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted 29 January , 2018 Share Posted 29 January , 2018 I agree with all of the above. If it's a wet day, the museum in Zonnebeke is well worth a couple of hours. And if it's dried up when you finish there you are within easy reach of Tyne Cot and Passchendaele. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margosh Posted 29 January , 2018 Share Posted 29 January , 2018 (edited) I would definitely agree with all the above and add that the Passchendaele Museum at Zonnebeke is definitely worth a visit if you haven't been before. Enough to keep a family of all ages occupied and interested. I have done the day trip Brugge - Ypres area a few times now, sometimes repeating a visit, sometimes picking up a new family connection. Always more to see! Going in the other direction there is the new-ish museum at Nieuwpoort on the coast (I visited as my grandfather was there in mid 1917). Not a big museum but interesting. It is under the statue to Albert 1 which is a sight on it's own (you can walk round the top, great views) and opposite the British Memorial to the Missing. http://www.nieuwpoort.be/nieuwpoort/view/en/nieuwpoort/the_great_war Margaret 6 minutes ago, sassenach said: I agree with all of the above. If it's a wet day, the museum in Zonnebeke is well worth a couple of hours. And if it's dried up when you finish there you are within easy reach of Tyne Cot and Passchendaele. Ooops! You posted just ahead of me about Zonnebeke, didn't see until I posted mine. Edited 29 January , 2018 by Margosh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 15 February , 2018 Share Posted 15 February , 2018 You might find these useful. A "highlights" car tour: http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/battlefields/advice-on-visiting-the-western-front-battlefields-of-the-great-war/the-long-long-trail-guide-to-ypres/ypres-salient-day-highlights-tour/ and a walk around Ypres centre: http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/battlefields/advice-on-visiting-the-western-front-battlefields-of-the-great-war/the-long-long-trail-guide-to-ypres/one-day-walking-tour-ypres/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 15 February , 2018 Share Posted 15 February , 2018 TocH in Poperinge is not to be missed. A great little museum as you enter then move through to the house itself (not forgetting the garden either). We spent a good part of the day in there looking at everything and taking it all in. Thoroughly recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamRev Posted 16 February , 2018 Share Posted 16 February , 2018 (edited) Lee It is worth looking through the Battlefield Touring section of the forum because this question has been asked plenty of times before. For what it is worth, here is my opinion. if you genuinely only have one day then the best single museum is the Passchendaele Museum at Zonnebeke. Second choice - the little Hooge Museum is good, and the cafe and loos are excellent. Next door is Hooge Chateau Hotel, with trenches and shell craters that you can walk around - just put a Euro each in the honesty-box. If you have teenage children then Sanctuary Wood Museum is good - some actual trenches that are still there. Frankly, give the In Flanders Field Museum a miss unless you have the luxury of several days - it is interesting but nothing special these days IMHO. Tyne Cot is a must (50 cent coin to use good loos), and a walk along the Ieper Ramparts and Ramparts Cemetery is worthwhile. Heresy on this forum, but I am no longer a fan of the Last Post - you need to be there a full hour early (90 mins early is better if you are not tall) to get a good place under the gate, and if you are on a tight schedule this can be a waste of time. William Edited 16 February , 2018 by WilliamRev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted 17 February , 2018 Share Posted 17 February , 2018 I agree with all of William's comments. Regarding the Last Post, there is really no need to "see" anything. All you will see is people laying wreaths. Better to stand to the east of the Menin Gate, away from the crowd. You may not see much, but you can still hear the bugles and observe the silence, which is surely what matters. If you really must see it, one option is to apply to the Last Post Association to take part in the service and lay a wreath. You will then be in a reserved area (max 2 people per party). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdparker Posted 17 February , 2018 Share Posted 17 February , 2018 Lee Thought I could help with some sites for you to visit in Dunkirk on your return. We had a pass from the ferry company last year which gave us access to 2 museums, and a walking tour to the locations used in making the film Dunkirk.Admittedly these are all WW2 sites. However, when I looked up the leaflet , one museum doesn't open till 1st April, and the other early May! But if it is low tide when you are there you may be able to see the shipwrecks along the coast at Zuydcoote Regards Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted 18 February , 2018 Share Posted 18 February , 2018 On 2/15/2018 at 13:46, Pighills said: TocH in Poperinge is not to be missed. A great little museum as you enter then move through to the house itself (not forgetting the garden either). We spent a good part of the day in there looking at everything and taking it all in. Thoroughly recommended. Bear in mind it is closed on Mondays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee P Posted 19 February , 2018 Author Share Posted 19 February , 2018 Thanks for all of your suggestions. I will be planning our visit over the next week or so as I like to know where I am going to go and can share the route with the rest if the family prior to going. I am hoping to go to some of the places my great grandad was at on the route. Thanks again, Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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