Camping La Chaumière

Watch the cows graze among the ruins at Abbaye de Clairmarais (10 minutes' drive), and see how traditional country living is still alive and well at Cassel (15 minutes), a town with classic Flemish features and a long-standing windmill. You might find a suitable souvenir deep in the markets of Hazebrouck (20 minutes) or Saint-Omer (20 minutes), where museums and ruins of an old abbey also offer a deep dive into the area’s history. Unusually, in Gravelines (40 minutes) the best way to explore the city’s moats and ramparts is by pedalo. Fuel up on local seafood in the harbour before you set off. Meanwhile, a city once turned to rubble in World War I, Ypres (50 minutes) is now a minefield of monuments, museums, and cathedrals. If you’re longing for something more fast-paced, take your pick from the rumble of rollercoasters to gentler carousels and bumper cars at Dennlys Parc (45 minutes).