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Things to do in the local area, October 17-18, 2020
Visit the Belgian coast
Highlight this week on Knokke-Heist and area
Even in Autumn and Winter time, you will discover numerous sites of interest on the Belgian coast. Put on your boots and windproof gear and explore one of the below suggestions:
The Zwin nature reserve
The Zwin is a nature reserve on the border of the Belgian-Dutch coast and a former tidal inlet. It was formed original ly by a storm in 1134, creating a tidal channel that reached some 15 km inland. The new waterway offered access to the sea to the inland city of Bruges, which consequently rose to become one of the foremost medieval port cities of Europe.
However, from the late 13th century onwards, the channel was affected by progressive silting, which ultimately caused the waterway to become unusable and cut off the harbour of Bruges from the sea. The present-day nature reserve is famous for its large variety in salt-resistance flora, such as sea lavender. It is also popular with bird watchers.
Visitors can walk or cycle the various trails inside the nature park. The roof of the visitors’ centre is accessible to visitors and gives a panoramic view over the reserve. Several observation shelters are spread inside the reserve. Dogs are not authorized inside the reserve.
Where: Graaf Léon Lippensdreef 8 in 8300 Knokke-Heist
When: Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Cost: Entrance tickets are at €10 per adult; €5 for youth 5 up to 17 years old; free under 5 years old. Prior registration and purchase of tickets is mandatory at https://www.zwin.be/nl/
tickets
Knokke-Heist Art City
Knokke-Heist is well known for its art galleries. No less than 80 art galleries can be visited most of them in town and some in neighboring cities.
To see a listing of all the art galleries CLICK HERE
The weekend of Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 50 of the art galleries will open for the 29th edition of Art Knokke-Heist,aiming at making art accessible to all.
You can also discover the 11 sculptures spread through town.
For Freedom museum
Dennis Jones, Normandy veteran from Crewe/Cheshire (UK) married a girl from Knokke-Heist in 1947. The military uniform that father Jones wore during his mar
riage will later form the first uniform of the collection. Ever since, the World War II collection has grown and every item in the museum has a personal story.
Where: Ramskapellestraat 91/93, in 8301 Knokke-Heist
When: Open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. up to Nov. 16, after which the museum is only open during school holidays and weekends (same times)
Cost: €10 per adult; €6 for children 7 up to 12 years old incl. the audio experi ence, or free without the audio experience. No prior registration needed. While there, go to Zeebrugge (6 km from Knokke Heist)
Seafront
The theme park Seafrontis all about sea, shipping, fish and fisheries. Real-like
sceneries, videos and images witness the hard life of fishermen over the years.
Learn about the wide range of fish in theNorth Sea, about the North Sea itself, about fish auctions and more. Visits can last up to 2 hours.
Where: Vismijnstraat 7in 8380 Zeebrugge
When: On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Open also during the Autumn break (same times).
Cost: €13.50 per adult; €9.50 for children under 12 years old; free for children under one meter.
Prior registration is required at http://www.seafront-zeebrugge.be/en/zeebrugge/
You can purchase your tickets on line or you can book your visit and pay your tickets upon arrival.
Fietskotje (25 km from Zeebrugge)
Ever had a meter long pancake? At “Fietskotje” (tea-room) you can get one or half a meter pancakes with either sugar, apple, egg, ham, cheese, and you name it...
Where: Zandstraat 69, 8450 Bredene
When: Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.
If the weather is bad, prior reservation is recommended at 059/323007
Note: On the way from Knokke-Heist to Zeebrugge, you can also visit the well known Sea Life in Blankenberge, Belgium’s famous aquarium and sanctuary for sea creatures. For information, go to https://www.visitsealife.com/blankenberge/en/
