Attractions and Places To See around Houthulst - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Houthulst include a blend of natural beauty and significant World War I history in West Flanders, Belgium. The region offers diverse landscapes, from dense forests to open nature reserves, alongside numerous historical landmarks. Visitors can explore sites commemorating the war years and enjoy tranquil green spaces. Houthulst provides a variety of points of interest for those seeking both historical insight and outdoor activities.
Best attractions and places to see around Houthulst
- The most popular attractions is Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle), Ypres, a historical site that was originally a significant trading center for cloth in the Middle Ages. This Gothic building, destroyed during WWI and meticulously rebuilt, now houses museums and symbolizes the city's historical importance.
- Another must-see spot is Menin Gate Memorial, a man-made monument commemorating British and Commonwealth soldiers who fell during World War I and have no known grave. Every evening, a Last Post ceremony is held here, honoring the fallen.
- Visitors also love The Blankaart Observation Tower, a viewpoint offering panoramic views of the De Blankaart nature reserve. This area is known for its rich fauna and flora, providing opportunities for bird watching and enjoying nature.
- Houthulst is known for its historical sites, natural features, and World War I memorials. The region offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from preserved trenches to serene forests.
- The attractions around Houthulst are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 500 upvotes and over 130 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Yser Tower and Pax Gate Memorial, Diksmuide
Highlight • Monument
From the top of the 84 meter high tower you have a wonderful panoramic view over Diksmuide and the Westhoek.
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Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle), Ypres
Highlight • Historical Site
Built into the mighty building is the belfry - you can also find it in numerous cities in Flanders as an expression of civic pride and self-confidence.
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Menin Gate Memorial
Highlight • Monument
Today you are standing in front of one of the greatest and most moving memorials of the First World War in the form of a Roman triumphal arch. During the inauguration ceremony in July 1927, the Somerset Light Infantry horns played the tattoo for the first time, and since 1928 it has been played every evening at 8 p.m., regardless of the crowd or the weather.
The vast white Portland stone walls of the Menin Gate contain inscriptions with the names of nearly 55,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who fell on the battlefield and have no burial place; son, father, brother. Indeed, the walls of the Menin Gate were not large enough: 34,957 other names of the last lost are written on the walls of Tyne Cot Cemetery east of Ypres.
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The Blankaart Observation Tower
Highlight • Viewpoint
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Ypres Ramparts (Fortifications)
Highlight • Historical Site
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Tips from the Community
the place is worth looking around, the tower is an awkward thing and disturbing in the nature experience.
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The Cloth Hall in Ypres is one of the largest Gothic-style civil buildings in Europe. Built between 1230 and 1304, it served as a covered market place for cloth, an important trade product in the Middle Ages. The 70-metre high belfry, which was built from 1250 onwards, emphasises the power and wealth of the city of Ypres at that time. During the First World War, the Cloth Hall was completely destroyed, but it was later meticulously rebuilt and completed in 1967. Today it houses the In Flanders Fields Museum and the Ypres Museum.
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There are a total of four lookout towers in the Blankaart. This one here is the highest: 10m. It overlooks the reed marshes and the wet hay fields. The inspiration for the design of the viewpoints comes from the reed marshes. Just as the bittern blends with its tall figure into the reeds, the towers blend into the open space of the Blankaart, while at the same time they are beacons in the landscape. The rising walls with sloping elements, openings and green plexiglass refer to the reed collars in which birds can hide and which still have a certain transparency. Source: https://pers.vlm.be/nieuwe-uitkijktorens-in-natuurgebied-de-blankaart
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The Cloth Hall (Flemish: Lakenhalle van Ieper) is a large, Gothic building complex located in the center of the Flemish city of Ypres. The complex originally dates back to the 13th century. The foundation stone is said to have been laid around 1200 by the Count of Flanders, and its construction lasted until 1304. The hall served as a transshipment and storage area for textiles (cloth hall). Part of the ensemble is a 70-meter-high belfry with a carillon that plays every half hour. On November 4, 1914, the German general Berthold von Deimling had the famous medieval Cloth Hall reduced to rubble and ashes without any military reason and against the express orders of his commander-in-chief, Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria. The Cloth Hall was reconstructed as faithfully as possible to the original from the 1920s to 1967. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building is made largely of sandstone from the Arras region. The upper floor and corner turrets of the belfry, as well as the corner turrets of the hall, are mainly built of the yellow brick typical of West Flanders. In contrast to many buildings of the Brick Gothic style in Flanders, the brick here is drowned out by the lavish stone decoration.
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Giant monument commemorating World War I.
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Nice square with many restaurants and cafes.
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Memorial and peace monument on the Yser. Inscription 'Never again War'. At the same time symbol or expression of Flanders' will for political independence (after the First World War). The tower and its associated crypt are Unesco world heritage. The old tower was built after the First World War but was dynamited in 1945-1946. The PAX gate was built with the rubble of the old tower. A new tower (84m high and 462 steps) was built (1951-1965) with a new crypt and now contains a 22-storey museum about the First World War (1914-1918).
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Beautiful old town, buildings worth seeing. Oppressive museum. Lots of interesting information in the tourist information office.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Houthulst?
Visitors particularly appreciate the unique blend of profound World War I history and tranquil natural beauty. The region offers moving memorials and meticulously rebuilt historical sites, alongside serene forests and nature reserves. The komoot community has shown strong engagement, with over 500 upvotes and more than 130 photos shared for the attractions around Houthulst.
What historical sites related to World War I can I visit near Houthulst?
The region is rich in WWI history. You can visit the Yser Tower and Pax Gate Memorial in Diksmuide, which houses a museum on the Belgian-German front and offers panoramic views. The Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres is a powerful tribute to fallen soldiers with no known grave, where the Last Post ceremony is held nightly. Other significant sites include the Belgian Military Cemetery at Houthulst, the Peace Windmill in Klerken (a former German lookout post), and the Drie Grachten Post in Merkem.
Are there any military cemeteries or memorials in the Houthulst area?
Yes, the Belgian Military Cemetery at Houthulst is a significant site, serving as the final resting place for nearly 2,000 soldiers who died during the liberation of the Vrijbos in September 1918. Additionally, the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres commemorates British and Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave.
What natural attractions can I explore around Houthulst?
Houthulst offers several beautiful natural areas. The Houthulst Forest (Vrijbos) is a tranquil green space ideal for recreation and remembrance. You can also visit the Blankaart Observation Tower, which provides stunning panoramic views of the De Blankaart nature reserve, known for its rich fauna and flora. The IJzerbroeken is another open landscape with diverse wildlife and historical traces.
Are there opportunities for wildlife spotting in the region?
Yes, the De Blankaart nature reserve, accessible from the Blankaart Observation Tower, is renowned for its rich fauna and flora, making it an excellent spot for bird watching. The IJzerbroeken area also boasts diverse wildlife.
Are there hiking trails near Houthulst's attractions?
Absolutely! The region offers numerous hiking opportunities. You can find trails like the 'View of De Blankaart Castle – The Blankaart Observation Tower loop from Woumen' or the 'Vrijbos Forest – Keunedreef, Houthulstbos loop from Houthulst'. For more options, explore the dedicated guide to Hiking around Houthulst.
Can I go cycling around Houthulst?
Yes, Houthulst is known for its cycling opportunities. There are various routes for different types of cycling. You can find mountain biking trails such as 'Langemark Church – Trail along Houthulst Forest loop from Merkem' or road cycling routes like 'Fintele Lock – Ypres Canal loop from Houthulst'. Check out the guides for MTB Trails around Houthulst and Road Cycling Routes around Houthulst for detailed information.
Are there family-friendly activities or attractions in Houthulst?
Many attractions around Houthulst are suitable for families. The Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle) in Ypres and the Menin Gate Memorial are listed as family-friendly historical sites. The Blankaart Observation Tower and the surrounding nature reserve offer opportunities for bird watching and enjoying nature, which can be a great family outing.
Are there wheelchair-accessible attractions around Houthulst?
Yes, some key historical sites are noted for their accessibility. The Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle) in Ypres and the Menin Gate Memorial are both listed as wheelchair-accessible, allowing a broader range of visitors to experience these important landmarks.
What is the best time of year to visit Houthulst's outdoor attractions?
The spring and summer months (April to September) are generally ideal for visiting Houthulst's outdoor attractions, as the weather is milder and more conducive to hiking, cycling, and exploring nature reserves like De Blankaart. This period also allows for better visibility from observation towers and more comfortable visits to historical sites.
Where can I find panoramic views of the Houthulst region?
For excellent panoramic views, head to the Blankaart Observation Tower, which offers beautiful vistas over the De Blankaart nature reserve on clear days. The Yser Tower in Diksmuide also provides a wonderful panoramic view over Diksmuide and the Westhoek from its 84-meter height.
What are some unique historical sites beyond the main WWI memorials?
Beyond the major WWI memorials, you can discover the Peace Windmill in Klerken, an openwork oil mill uniquely restored that served as a German lookout post during WWI. The Klerken Gedenksteen, De Zaaier, and De Beelden van Henri Covemaeker are also among the top historical pearls to explore in Houthulst. The Drie Grachten Post in Merkem, located on a canal, is another reminder of the war years and features an ecological visitors' center.
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