Location: Koekelare
Top Things to do in Koekelare
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Koekelare, Belgium
Koekelare (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈkukəlaːrə]) (West Flemish: Kookloare) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Bovekerke, Koekelare proper and Zande. On January 1, 2006 Koekelare had a total population of 8,291. The total area is 39.19 km² which gives a population density of 212 inhabitants per km².
Restaurants in Koekelare
1. Lange Max Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
The Lange Max Museum is a must-see place for the World War I tourist on the German side of the western frontline. The farmyard is the centre of this curtural and touristic location. A long lane takes you from the farmyard to the remains of the artillerie platform of the former German cannon 'Lange Max'. In a brand new contemporary museum, the visitor learns all about the huge cannon that was designed to bombard Dunkirk. The German occupation of Koekelare gets full attention. A unique exhibition tells you all about the organisation behind the frontline. The production of army goods ran at full speed in Koekelare. The little bakehouse still contains traces of the German presence and is redesignated as a multi-media room. You can relax on a cosy Terrace enjoying a 'Kanonbier' or homemade pancakes.
Reviewed By AmarilisVos - Jabbeke, Belgium
We visited this museum on September 21st. In front of the museum is a free parking lot. There is an entrance fee with or without audio guide. When we visited there was a temporary exhibit about the consequences of the flooding (inundation) by the Belgian Army for the Germans during the Great War. Be aware that till the end of November you will not be able to visit the artillery platform where the Long Max stood.
There are 2 parts in this museum: one about the daily life of the inhabitants of Koekelare and the German occupier, and the other one about the Long Max, a big gun.
2. Dodengang (Trench of Death)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By Martin G - St Ives, United Kingdom
This trench complex is just outside of Diksmuide at Dodengang alongside the river Yser. They are known as the Trench of Death and was the frontline between Belgian and German forces.
The small museum is informative and there is a viewing platform which provides great vistas of the surrounding countryside and the trench positions along the river. Entry is only a very modest 4 Euros but this must be paid in cash as no card sales are taken.
There is about 400m of trenches which you can walk out and back to experience what life in the trenches must have been like. At the end is a demarcation stone which shows the limit of furthest advance and the helmet depicted atop the stone provides the information of whose demarcation line this is - in this instance it is the Belgian front line.
This is well worth a visit and you can easily accomplish this after visiting the Diksmuide Tower as we did.
3. Het Kakelend Kippenmuseum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Eric C - Brugge, België
Waarschijnlijk een uit de hand gelopen hobby. Een verzameling van hokken, afgebakende perken, een beetje wanorde en toch
Wat een verzameling aan kippen, duiven, eenden, zwanen en naast pluimvee ook andere bijzondere dingen, lama's, schapen, geiten, konijnen, hangbuikzwijnen, een zowaar een zebra-ezel en een dromedaris.
De kinderen amuseerden zich kostelijk, kakelden soms meer dan het ander pluivee - hou ze in de gaten of je bent ze zo kwijt.
Een aanrader
Er is ook een ruime cafetaria, maar daar hebben we niet echt gebruik van gemaakt.
4. Vladslo German War Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By Stuart F - Rotherfield, United Kingdom
I visited this site early in the morning, when the temperature was -2 degrees centigrade. The frost on the ground and in the trees made the experience even more meaningful. Since the First World War, this cemetery has been added to and now holds nearly 26,000 German soldiers. The graves are marked by regimented lines of flat, black stones, each bearing the names of twenty soldiers, with just their name, rank, and date of death inscribed.
The cemetery contains a sobering pair of sculptures by the Expressionist Käthe Kollwitz. Finished in the 1930s, "The Grieving Parents" is a tribute to her youngest son, Peter, who was killed in October 1914. The father figure looks to where his son is buried in the cemetery. I first saw a picture of this work when I was a teenager; I was very moved to have stood in the freezing cold and seen the real thing.
5. Kathe Kollwitz Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By conrad57 - Ieper (Ypres), Belgium
This museum is linked with the world famous statues "Parents in mourning" standing in Word War 1 German Cemetery at Praetbos Vladslo (near Diksmuide). Artist Kathe Kollwitz lost her 18 year old sun Peter in Nov 1914. The museum gives an introduction on the short life of Peter Kollwitz and on the life of artist Kathe Kollwitz and her social engagement. We were disappointed to see only a few drawings of her art collection and no plastics at all. Most of the information can be found on internet. There should be a better link with the Kathe Kollwitz museum in Köln and house in Berlin to have at least more of her art to show. The museum is situated in a beautiful restored brewery and there is space enough to enlarge the Kathe Kollwitz rooms (only one room). So far a missed chance and as it is now to much energy needed to drive down to this place from the German cemetery. I advise to stay longer near the original statues in the cemetery and read all info on internet before you make your visit. This official museum should make more efforts to show pieces of art, to have at least a few originals (in loan) linking with Köln and Berlin and extend the actual given space. The visit was rather disappointing for the art and history lover!
6. Houthulst Military Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Gene W
Nestled in the countryside near the Poelkapelle military base. It is quiet and tranquil. And as is the case for all Military Cemeteries here in Belgium, beautifully and carefully maintained. Note that there is heavy road construction at the moment.
7. Bowling De Goe Smete
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Dominique C
Heel leuk om hier even wat ballen te kunnen testen. Aangename ontvangst van een sympatiek team. Parkeer mogelijheid genoeg op de privé parking. Welkom voor verjaardags feestjes en grill parties.
8. Yser Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 171 reviews
Reviewed By DrDarwin - Newark
One of the highlights of our Flanders cycling sortie ... ascend 22 floors in the lift, climb 2 more via the stairs for spectacular panoramic views over Flanders, then descend 22 floors of the marvellous museum on foot to fully appreciate the Belgian Western Front. One of the best museums on the Western Front.
9. Museum Aan de Ijzer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Entrance Fees Per person €8,- Children 7-17 €2.5 Opening hours 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 2016, on 01/02 January and from 9th January until 29th January 2017.
Reviewed By Iain S - Bethesda, United Kingdom
A must visit if you are interested in 1 st World War history.Twenty two floors of history with a magnificent view at the top.Well worth the 8 euros admission charge.Experience a history lesson and marvel at the exhibits explaining life as it was for the average person during those terrible times.
10. Het Huis Van '40-'45
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Dit museum werd volledig ingericht in de stijl van de jaren ‘40. De unieke sfeer neemt je mee naar de tijd van toen. In dit huis zijn de verhalen van ‘den Tweeden Wereldoorlog’ tussen de muren blijven hangen. Kom en trek de kleerkast open, gluur eens in de koffer, kijk de kamers binnen en ontdek de verhalen. Voel, hoor, zie en proef de sfeer van toen… Welkom in het huis van ’40-’45.
Reviewed By Irene B
"Het Huis van 40 - 45" was a highlight of our trip to Flanders. We were there for 2 hours viewing 8 to 10 rooms, each of which contain war time military and / or domestic items, for example uniforms, a printing press, food packaging and newspaper articles. There is a 1940 style cafe where you can buy drinks. We visited by arrangement in an evening and were shown around by Brecht, who created the Het Huis. The museum is suitable for all ages, including school-age children.
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