The best MTB trails around Vleteren

A magnificent viewpoint on the edge of the nature reserve. Climb this platform and be tempted to dive into the dunes. Hiking trails lead you through an oasis of tranquility.

Centuries ago, one of the two mills of Ten Duinen Abbey stood here, and today stands the South Abbey Mill. The current South Abbey Mill of Koksijde dates from 1773 and originally stood in Houtem near Veurne (the Lootvoet mill). It was demolished there in 1951-1952 and rebuilt in Koksijde in 1953. Miller Patrick Geryl remains the only remaining full-time miller in Belgium. Anyone who visits the mill will be captivated by his every word: he'll happily give you a tour of his habitat: the South Abbey Mill. Feel the wind play with the mill, see how the grain is ground into flour, and smell the history. Highly recommended! Practical information: Individuals can visit the South Abbey Mill during regular opening hours from April to September. €2 for an adult, €1 for minors. Mill address: Jaak Van Buggenhoutlaan 120 (near the Abbey Museum). Intrigued? Click through to https://www.tenduinen.be/nl/beklim-de-zuid-abdijmolen

During WW1 this is where soldiers condemned to execution were shot. There are detention cells here as well as the location of the post. Chilling but also a must see if you’re in this area and interested in military history.

The Old Military Cemetery contains 450 Commonwealth burials and memorials from the First World War. Twenty-four of the graves are unidentified, but there are special memorials for seven victims known or suspected to be buried there. Source: https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/55601/poperinghe-old-military-cemetery/

In the town hall courtyard, an execution post commemorates the atrocities that took place here during World War I. At least eight soldiers faced the firing squad here. From 1916 onwards, the adjacent police cells were converted into "death cells," where the condemned soldiers spent their last night. At dawn, these soldiers were executed here (shot at dawn). To enhance the experience even further, text panels and a soundtrack explain the "shot at dawn" phenomenon. You can also visit the site with a guide. More information via toerisme@poperinge.be.

An accessible site consisting of cells and an execution post in the courtyard of Poperinge Town Hall, with various memorials and information boards. The town hall is located at Grote Markt 1-4, with a side wall overlooking Guido Gezellestraat. At least eight men were executed in the courtyard of Poperinge Town Hall: Botfield, Simmonds, Poole, Fryer, Stadman, Wall, Morris, and Gore. Perhaps Crampton and Wang Jungzhi should be added. It is also possible that several others buried in Poperinge New Military Cemetery, and perhaps also McFarlane, buried in Nine Elms Cemetery, appeared before the firing squad here. Several soldiers were also arrested here and held in police cells until they were returned to their units to appear before a court-martial: Byers, Eveleigh, Nelson, Roberts, J. Smith, Hyde, Welsh, and Hughes. Thousands of others of various nationalities stayed here briefly because they were on the streets without permission, drunk, or involved in fights.

22 First World War dead from the United Kingdom are also buried here

At the beginning of the 14th century, Flanders as a whole enjoyed a flourishing cloth industry. The major centers of Ghent, Bruges, and Ypres wanted to protect their own markets. An initial privilege had already been granted for Ypres on October 28, 1322, but it was insufficient. Louis I, Count of Flanders, amended this privilege for Ypres on February 7, 1324. "From then on, no cloth was to be woven, sheared, or dyed within a three-hour radius of Ypres; failure to comply resulted in a fine of 50 pounds and the confiscation of the looms." This proved very unfortunate for Poperinge, which is only 12 km from Ypres. The people of Poperinge resisted this privilege by continuing to produce cloth or engage in other activities related to the cloth industry. According to several "clever" cloth weavers, it was more than a three-hour walk from Poperinge to Ypres. This led to a fierce battle between Poperinge and Ypres. The three Flemish cities launched an army to silence the people of Poperinge. This occurred in May 1341. Both sides lost their leaders in the battle: Jacob Bets at Poperinge and Jan de Houtkerke at Ypres. Poperinge was powerless against the overwhelming force. From then on, cloth would no longer be woven in Poperinge. What was forbidden, however, did happen: cloth production continued in Poperinge. A lawsuit followed, which was lost. This left the feud between Poperinge and Ypres far from over. The people of Poperinge sought a playful way to take revenge. They used the weapon of mockery. The Guild of the Stone was founded in Poperinge (1372), led by Master Ghybe. To this day, a kind of rivalry between Poperinge and Ypres still remains. Hops were grown as an alternative to the defunct cloth trade. Who? Master Ghybe is something of the Don Quixote of Poperinge. He sat backward on a donkey with an 83-pound boulder on a cushion in front of him. He carried pots and pans as armor. He was armed with a ladle and a spit. Along with his followers, dressed like him, he participated in processions and parades. Ghybe wasn't chosen at random; he was the symbol of the three major cities: Ghent, Ypres (Ieper), and Bruges. His donkey represents Flanders, which was poorly governed. The boulder he carried is the symbol of the people of Poperinge. They are also called "keikop" (stone head). Source: Wikipedia