WW1 Museums in the Ypres Salient, Belgium

There are a number of public and private First World War museums in the Ypres Salient area. They contain military collections ranging from rare battlefield relics and archive collections to original trench systems, dugouts and commemorative sites.

Coronavirus: Before you visit, please check on the relevant museum website for the up to date procedures on advance booking and social distancing measures that are in place.

Hooge Crater Museum

Hooge (4 kilometres east of Ypres)

50.846508966836

2.943735122681

Situated on the Menin Road this is a very good private museum with fine collections and exhibits. There is a large café with indoor and outdoor seating, and the museum provides good facilities and options of varied rates for group visits.

Hooge Crater Museum
In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres / Ieper

50.851152

2.885762

This award winning museum is located in the Cloth Hall (Lakenhallen) in central Ieper/Ypres.

As well as the main exhibition depicting scenes from Ypres Salient battles the Research Centre contains over 5,000 books on the First World War. A well stocked museum shop sells a wide range of First World War related books, guides, maps, postcards, CDs and gift items.

In Flanders Fields Museum
Lange Max Museum

Koekelare (30 kilometres north of Ypres)

51.116887

2.982348

Latitude N 51° 7' 0.793" ; Longitude E 2° 58' 56.45"

Website: www.langemaxmuseum.be

A museum opened in 2014 at the remains of the platform of the big German cannon called “Lange Max”. This gun was designed to bombard Dunkirk. Situated behind the German lines north of the Ypres Salient the museum tells the story of life and the military organisation behind the lines for the German troops here.

For visitors' information see the website or contact the museum by email or telephone:

Address: Lange Max Museum, Clevenstraat 2, 8680 Koekelare

Telephone: Gerdi Staelens +32 (0)475 - 58 50 51

Email: [email protected]
Lijssenthoek Visitor Centre

Poperinge (3 kilometres south of Poperinge)

50.827956

2.701381

The visitor centre focuses on the medical services in the Ypres Salient. A database is in the process of being compiled containing the details of over 10,000 named burials in the neighbouring British Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

Lijssenthoek Visitor Centre
Menin Road Museum

Zillebeke (3 kilometres east of Ypres)

50.846984

2.934787

Latitude N 50° 50' 49.141" ; Longitude E 2° 56' 5.233"

Website: meninroadmuseumvzw.weebly.com

A small museum on the Menin Road (Meenseweg), housed in the Canada café and Feestzaal. Groups and students are welcome. Please contact the museum in advance to make arrangements.

Admission charge.

Opening Hours

Daily 10.00-22.00 hours (except Tuesdays when it is open for pre-booked groups only).

Closed 24 December to 2 January.

For visitors' information see the website or contact the museum by email or telephone:

Address: Menin Road Museum VZW, Meenseweg 470, 8902 Zillebeke, Belgium

Telephone: +32 (0)57 201 136

Email: [email protected]
Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917

Zonnebeke (8 kilometres north-east of Ypres)

50.870798490

2.988667488098

Housed in a château at Zonnebeke this excellent museum focuses on the Third Battle of Ypres. It includes a life-size replica complex of bunkers and trenches built in the cellars of the château. There is an excellent replica trench constructed in the grounds of the museum for visitors to walk through.

Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917
Mesen/Messines Information Point

Mesen/Messines (10 kilometres south of Ypres)

50.76554508376

2.897686958313

Website: www.mesen.be

The Information Point provides the visitor to Mesen/Messines with the story of Mesen/Messines through the ages and the historic Mesen/Messines Abbey. There is a special focus on the First World War, the part played by the New Zealanders in this area during the battles and the Island of Ireland Peace Tower, which is situated on the south edge of the town.

The Information Point is free and open 08.30-17.30.

To visit outside these hours or book a group/guided visit please contact the Information Point.

Address: Markt 22, 8957 Mesen

Telephone: +32 57 22 17 14

Email: [email protected]
Plugstreet 1418 Interpretation Centre

Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing (13 kilometres south of Ypres)

50.736827

2.890137

Website: www.plugstreet1418.be

Situated at Plugstreet Wood and close to the British Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing.

Open daily 10.00 - 17.00 hours, except the first Friday of the month when the centre is open from 10.00 - 19.00, with the sounding of Last Post ceremony at 19.00 hours.

For visitor details, admission fees and reservations go to the website at:

Address: Plugstreet 14-18 Experience, Rue de Messines 156, 7782 Ploegsteert

Telephone: +32 (0)56 484 000

Email: [email protected]
Pond Farm near St. Julien

St. Julien (6 kilometres north-east of Ypres)

50.88523310700978

2.9472917318344116

Website: www.depondfarm.be

The farm near St. Julien was known as Pond Farm on British Army trench maps, and Kazerne Häseler on German military maps. After the Second Battle of Ypres in May 1915 the farm was in German occupied ground. By 1917 Pond Farm was one of many reinforced strongpoints in the German Army's defensive line. Three large bunkers, small bunkers, tunnels and cellars formed the fortifications at this place. A private museum at the farm includes a collection of antique items from the First World War period and many fascinating relics found on the battlefields around the farm.
Sanctuary Wood Museum (Hill 62)

Zillebeke (5 kilometres east of Ypres)

50.8368380376

2.9459452629

A rare site to see the layout of an original British trench system complete with a tunnel through which you can walk with suitable waterproof footware.

Sanctuary Wood Museum (Hill 62)
Talbot House (TOC H)

Poperinge (10 kilometres west of Ypres)

50.85611919405481

2.7229678630828857

Talbot House was founded in December 1915 by Padre Tubby Clayton as an Everyman's Club, where officers and soldiers could leave their rank at the front door and relax together in a house with homely comforts behind the fighting lines.

The house is a living museum but it is also a place where visitors can stay.

Talbot House (Toc H)
Tyne Cot Visitors' Centre

Passchendaele (3 kilometres south of Passendale - Passchendaele)

50.888435

3.000255

Visitors' Centre next to Tyne Cot Military Cemetery, the largest British military cemetery in the world.

Tyne Cot Visitors' Centre