Campsites in Ypres for historical holidays by the Belgian border
Travel to Flanders fields and have a holiday in one of Europe’s most historical hotspots with a stay at one of these cracking – and conveniently located – campsites in Ypres.
As well as being set within driving distance of all the World War I battlefields, museums and cemeteries, there’s something to suit every travel taste in this selection – from basic tent pitches in pretty fields to cosy glamping accommodation.
Campsites in Ypres: put your tent up next to a chateau or your feet up in a farm
Campsites in Ypres are generally within driving distance of town, out in the green surrounds, making them excellent choices for relaxing in between all the historical explores.
But what type of accommodation is on offer hereabouts? Well, you could dawdle down to a working farm in Flanders for a rural hol – there are campsites near Ypres where your main neighbours will be sheep, cows and goats, along with fancier spots giving access to swimming pools and outdoor fitness facilities.
As Ypres is so close to the border with France, pitching up in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region is also possible. Be right in the thick of a walkers’ paradise amid spectacular scenery by staying at camps in the Regional Natural Park of the Caps and Opal Marsh (and make like the locals by taking part in games of pétanque on site).
The food – and of course, the drink – is also a treat in this area, so why not stay at a campsite in Ypres with a bar on base for a guarantee there’ll be somewhere to sip a few Belgian beers after days out?
Attractions to yomp around when camping in Ypres
Despite being completely destroyed in the Great War, Ypres is a bit of an eye-catcher, having been rebuilt in its original style as a living memorial to those who were killed during WWI.
Begin your explorations at the Menin Gate, paying tribute to the 54,896 soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient area and have no known graves, then roam over to the restored Cloth Hall, first built around 1200 and finished again in 1962 after being obliterated in the First World War.
Enter through the door for access to the Flanders Fields Museum and an immersive introduction to what life was like for the soldiers in WWI, then climb up to the belfry to take in views across town.
Out in the Ypres surrounds, you’ll see the effect of the First World War during visits to some of the more than 100 cemeteries, including the largest of the lot, the Tyne Cot Commonwealth Cemetery in Passendale.
Another impactful place to put on your agenda? The Memorial Museum Passchendaele. This fascinating establishment, made up of displays taking you through World War I events chronologically, also has a replica dugout so visitors can have a taste of what it was like in Flanders Fields during 1914-18.
For a short break from the heaviness of the historical sites, there are lots of walking trails and cycling paths to explore. And if you’d like to tick off a bucket-list experience, Ypres is one of the top places on the planet for hot-air balloon rides. Drift through the sky on a flight over the battlefields and stare down at a landscape scattered in bomb craters, trenches and cemeteries.
Back on ground level, the impact of the war is also clear during visits to spots like Zwarteleenstraat, a battle site strewn with ridges from all the tunnels dug up here, as well as a memorial to the 1st Australian Tunnelling Co studded in bullets from WWII.
If you’re enroute to Ypres from the UK, it’s worth having a look at campsites around Calais for more history (as well as a convenient place for a stopover near the ferry port).
