Feel like a Belgian tour...26th July - 9th August

PaulC70

PaulC70

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Never been to Belgium but quite fancy giving it a go, been to France so not first time abroad in MH.
Likely ferry to Calais and turn left with a stopover night in Dunkirk methinks. Then onto Ypres / Bruges / Lille / antwerp. But only because theyre the only places ive heard of lol.

Anyone else done Belgium and got any recommendations at all. Not cycling as wife uses mobility scooter, but most other things go, we like village / town / city stops mainly i guess.

My main concerns the language barrier, I know they speak German/ French / Dutch apparantly but theres a reasonable amount of english speaking too, bit like parts of france?
 
We did a circuit round Brussels one winter about 3 or 4 years ago.
Admittedly we were cycling, however, (with the exception of cycling through the trees) the unsual places we went were accessible for you, especially "Cycling through the lake". The "see through church" was via "rough" path but I wouldnt suspect an issue for a mobility scooter. I ll add links

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

See through Church

This church is an 800 m walk slightly uphill from the wide layby on the main road indicated on my map. As you walk round the church you can see into it at different angles. In the summer there is a cafe selling ice creams and soft drinks. Well...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Cycling through the lake

Just North East of Hasselt is a cycle route where the bridge is inverted so it sinks under the level of the water and you cycle through the lake. There is an aire which was being built and it looked as though it might cost 10 euros and should be...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Cycling through trees

We cycled out to this one from an aire against a canal and harbour at Leopodsburg for 10 euros a night including leccy and they sold Jupiler at 2.50. The Berg was at Lommelse Sahara which in the summer would be a swimming lake The cycling...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...king-on-water-and-heist-op-den-berg-aire.122/ Definitely remember wheelchair access here

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/journals/bilzen.172/ No idea if this is doable for you or not, but if one can cycle then it would be ok on the velorail as other may not be required
 
PaulC70 said:
Never been to Belgium but quite fancy giving it a go, been to France so not first time abroad in MH.
Likely ferry to Calais and turn left with a stopover night in Dunkirk methinks. Then onto Ypres / Bruges / Lille / antwerp. But only because theyre the only places ive heard of lol.

Anyone else done Belgium and got any recommendations at all. Not cycling as wife uses mobility scooter, but most other things go, we like village / town / city stops mainly i guess.

My main concerns the language barrier, I know they speak German/ French / Dutch apparantly but theres a reasonable amount of english speaking too, bit like parts of france?
Click to expand...
The Belgians are great linguists, lots of English spoken.
 
suavecarve said:
We did a circuit round Brussels one winter about 3 or 4 years ago.
Admittedly we were cycling, however, (with the exception of cycling through the trees) the unsual places we went were accessible for you, especially "Cycling through the lake". The "see through church" was via "rough" path but I wouldnt suspect an issue for a mobility scooter. I ll add links

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

See through Church

This church is an 800 m walk slightly uphill from the wide layby on the main road indicated on my map. As you walk round the church you can see into it at different angles. In the summer there is a cafe selling ice creams and soft drinks. Well...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Cycling through the lake

Just North East of Hasselt is a cycle route where the bridge is inverted so it sinks under the level of the water and you cycle through the lake. There is an aire which was being built and it looked as though it might cost 10 euros and should be...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Cycling through trees

We cycled out to this one from an aire against a canal and harbour at Leopodsburg for 10 euros a night including leccy and they sold Jupiler at 2.50. The Berg was at Lommelse Sahara which in the summer would be a swimming lake The cycling...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...king-on-water-and-heist-op-den-berg-aire.122/ Definitely remember wheelchair access here

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/journals/bilzen.172/ No idea if this is doable for you or not, but if one can cycle then it would be ok on the velorail as other may not be required
Click to expand...
Brilliant set of links, the velorail would sadly be beyond our capabilities which is a shame as it looks a good quirky day out!
 
Stopped for a couple of nights at the Jachthavn aire at Eeklo. A 12 pitch freebie spot (no svcs) adjacent to the canal for a pleasant stroll. Cafe/bar adjacent. About halfway between Bruge and Ghent.

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Not managed to get away this weekend as planned due to new van snags including the reverse camera not working so had to fit another from amazon temporarily :-/
Plan is down to Dover tomorrow for a Monday morning ferry then Dunkirk, Bruges, Eeklo, Ghent, Antwerp then not sure.
Thinking of Liege, is it worth visiting, seen some reviews online that don't rate it?
then heading back to ferry via Ypres possibly with a stop at Charleroi which looks nice but I've never heard of before?
 
chaser said:
Why was that?
Click to expand...

Noisy prats with no respect for others trying to sleep.
Arriving and departing for ferries and the tunnel at stupid o-clock, including the UK registered knobheads with 25 doors that they slammed that arrived next door to us at 4 in the morning !!!
 
We find the dover to Dunkirk route best , language will not be a problem
 
chaser said:
Why not try gravelines instead of Dunkirk?
You won't regret it (y)
Click to expand...
Only planning Dunkirk for the history to be honest but seeing Two on Tour 's experience made me check the reviews on SearchForSites which seem to mainly be positive. Might stay night before the ferry on way home.

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Been to Belgium a few times , Brussels and Ghent and a stop over from the Rotterdam ferry in De Panne as we were also doing some of Northern France this year. Both sites for the cities were easy bus rides into the city centre with bus stops right outside the campsite . About 30 mins for Brussels and 20 mins for Ghent , both nice sites and very good English spoken at both. We found bus drivers and restaurant staff spoke English .
Only downside is both cites are not the cleanest we have visited and Belgian roads take a bit of getting used to with rippled concrete surfaces 😉

We have been to Brugge but not camping , but noticed a large Aire just outside the city centre . Where all the tourist coaches park .

For Brussels

campinggrimbergen.be

Home - Camping Grimbergen

The ideal place for camping The campsite is located just outside the centre of Grimbergen, in the green belt around Brussels. It’s a small, family-run and friendly campsite in a quiet setting, surrounded by nature. Campers with a tent, caravan or mobile home are welcome. The campsite is based...
campinggrimbergen.be campinggrimbergen.be

For Ghent

urban-gardens.be

Urban Gardens in Ghent and Ypres - Camping & Glamping

Urban Gardens in Ghent and Ypres is to enjoy an oasis of tranquility with our camping and glamping formulas.
urban-gardens.be urban-gardens.be
 
This is a lovely stopover with a bus stop outside with frequent services to Bruges one way and Blankenberg the other. There is a hotel next door where you can eat, although we didn’t try it. The busses do appear accessible, on one journey we had a chap with a trolley with his oxygen cylinder in it.

www.camperparkzuienkerke.com

Camperpark Zuienkerke

Discover Camperpark Zuienkerke, the ideal campsite for camper van lovers in the beautiful Polders near Bruges. Book now and enjoy peace and nature.
www.camperparkzuienkerke.com www.camperparkzuienkerke.com

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cyberyacht said:
Eeklo is a nice spot although no services.
Click to expand...
yep saw that, but fancy it after seeing your suggestion of it, looks like an interesting wee place to explore.

CV20Bobby said:
Been to Belgium a few times , Brussels and Ghent and a stop over from the Rotterdam ferry in De Panne as we were also doing some of Northern France this year. Both sites for the cities were easy bus rides into the city centre with bus stops right outside the campsite . About 30 mins for Brussels and 20 mins for Ghent , both nice sites and very good English spoken at both. We found bus drivers and restaurant staff spoke English .
Only downside is both cites are not the cleanest we have visited and Belgian roads take a bit of getting used to with rippled concrete surfaces 😉

We have been to Brugge but not camping , but noticed a large Aire just outside the city centre . Where all the tourist coaches park .

For Brussels

campinggrimbergen.be

Home - Camping Grimbergen

The ideal place for camping The campsite is located just outside the centre of Grimbergen, in the green belt around Brussels. It’s a small, family-run and friendly campsite in a quiet setting, surrounded by nature. Campers with a tent, caravan or mobile home are welcome. The campsite is based...
campinggrimbergen.be campinggrimbergen.be

For Ghent

urban-gardens.be

Urban Gardens in Ghent and Ypres - Camping & Glamping

Urban Gardens in Ghent and Ypres is to enjoy an oasis of tranquility with our camping and glamping formulas.
urban-gardens.be urban-gardens.be
Click to expand...
Cheers for those links, will have a look. Buses may not be the best way for us due to the wifes mobility scooter, Im planning on plenty of walking and or train / trams which seem more mobility scooter friendly with a bit of planning.
ChrisL said:
Pop into Luxembourg to refuel before your return, it's usually the cheapest fuel in western Europe.
Click to expand...
Problem is it's a 200 mile round trip assuming I don't go to Liege and if I do it's still over 100 miles, doubt fuels that cheap.
Barryh said:
This is a lovely stopover with a bus stop outside with frequent services to Bruges one way and Blankenberg the other. There is a hotel next door where you can eat, although we didn’t try it. The busses do appear accessible, on one journey we had a chap with a trolley with his oxygen cylinder in it.

www.camperparkzuienkerke.com

Camperpark Zuienkerke

Discover Camperpark Zuienkerke, the ideal campsite for camper van lovers in the beautiful Polders near Bruges. Book now and enjoy peace and nature.
www.camperparkzuienkerke.com www.camperparkzuienkerke.com
Click to expand...
Will have a look, think we were originally looking at camping memling for Bruges though, but good to have options.
 
PaulC70 said:
Will have a look, think we were originally looking at camping memling for Bruges though, but good to have options.
Click to expand...
I’ve stayed at Memling and the aire and much prefer Zuienkerke.
 
I originally planned on the aire I have to admit due to its location as it would be much easier for the wife but think I'll skip it.
 
If you fancy something a bit different, the Strepy-Thieu boat lift near Mons is an amazing thing, well worth a visit.

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cyberyacht said:
Stopped for a couple of nights at the Jachthavn aire at Eeklo. A 12 pitch freebie spot (no svcs) adjacent to the canal for a pleasant stroll. Cafe/bar adjacent. About halfway between Bruge and Ghent.
Click to expand...
When did it become free? I've always paid when I've stayed there. The cost included water, electric and dumping of black waste. You could also use the showers and toilets in the restaurant. The sculptures there were fantastic as well.
 
Last edited:
Red Sonja said:
When did it become free? I've always paid when I've stayed there. The cost included water, electric and dumping of black waste. You could also use the showers and toilets in the restaurant. The sculptures there were fantastic as well.
Click to expand...
Don't know but it's listed as free on Search for Sites.
 
PaulC70 said:
Never been to Belgium but quite fancy giving it a go, been to France so not first time abroad in MH.
Likely ferry to Calais and turn left with a stopover night in Dunkirk methinks. Then onto Ypres / Bruges / Lille / antwerp. But only because theyre the only places ive heard of lol.

Anyone else done Belgium and got any recommendations at all. Not cycling as wife uses mobility scooter, but most other things go, we like village / town / city stops mainly i guess.

My main concerns the language barrier, I know they speak German/ French / Dutch apparantly but theres a reasonable amount of english speaking too, bit like parts of france?
Click to expand...
In Bruges at the moment, bargewel stelplatz, walking distance to town. Gets full up by mid afternoon, 30euros a night, free electric. Antwerp - city camping is handy, free ferry across to city. There is a parking bay just before city camping, holds about 20 campers..free!

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