Where to stay in the Ypres
Salient
(More places to follow during the summer)
This section gives details of accomodation in the Ypres (Ieper) area. Non-italic type indicates that I am the author of the descriptive text, writing from personal knowledge. Italic type indicates that I'm using information which has been sent to me.
Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast on the old Passchendaele battlefield. "Varlet Farm" was the name given to this farm by British troops during the war, and it appears under this name on trench maps of the period. By the time of the Armistice, the farm had been completely destroyed and the present farmhouse was built in 1920 close to the ruins of the original buildings, which were strongly fortified by the Germans and which were captured by the Royal Naval Division on 26th October, 1917. Dirk and Charlotte Cardoen-Descamps work the farm now, and they have recently furnished three rooms for guests. All three rooms are very comfortable and attractively furnished, with most of the furniture being purchased brand new. There is also a "sitting room" for guests where they can make themselves hot drinks and use the excellent little library which is there for them. The Varlet Farm Visitors' Book also lives here, and it is full of appreciative comments from visitors from all over the world. Visitors to Varlet Farm receive a truly sincere and genuine welcome - not only when they arrive, but throughout their stay. Excellent English is also spoken at Varlet Farm. It is a well-known fact that the farmers who live and work on the old Great War battlefields still (even after eighty years) plough up relics of various kinds. Charlotte and Dirk have set up a small museum in their barn, which contains a remarkable display of "found objects" ranging from tiny shrapnel balls to a whole German Maxim machine-gun. Visitors are always invited to take some small thing home with them as a souvenir of their stay. (But not the machine gun.) Because Charlotte and Dirk are working farmers, they don't provide evening meals. I see this as an advantage, because it means that guests do not have to return at a particular time in the evening and this allows more freedom. (There are some excellent restaurants in Ypres and in the nearby villages.) My wife and I recommend Varlet Farm very highly. Varlet Farm is 5 miles (9 km) from Ypres and close to all the major battle sites, memorials and cemeteries.
Click here to visit the Varlet Farm web-site
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Varlet
Farm Tel/Fax: 00 32 51 77 78 59
Update - 15th October 2002
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Right Beside Tyne Cot Cemetery If you've ever visited Tyne Cot Cemetery, then you've passed right by De Klaproos, because it's the house next door! This makes it very easy to find.
Rosa and Daniel Decaestecker-Demeyere have made and furnished a very comfortable self-catering apartment which offers accommodation for a family or a small group. There are two bedrooms, one with a double-bed and another with two single beds with room for a third if needed. A cot is also available, and the couch in the living-room converts into a further double bed if required.
The apartment has its own bathroom and sun-terrace, which is a balcony overlooking Tyne Cot.
Linen and towels are provided, and there is even the use of two bicycles thrown in.
For those who might have to build their battlefield visit around the needs
of a young family, I think De Klaproos could be just right. For more information, including prices and a booking form, go to De Klparoos website.
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De
Klaproos Tel/Fax: 00 32 51 77 87 53
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