Markets around Mons

Markets around Mons

Mons-Center

Friday, 8 am to 2 pm

At the Grande Place and Croix Place, Fish Market (all products) / Approx. 100 exhibitors

Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m:

Old Market: Place du Béguinage and Place Nervienne and next to the train station (all products)

Nimy: on the Place, Monday from 8 am to 1 pm (approx. 10 exhibitors).

Cuesmes: on the Place, Tuesday from 8 am to 2 pm (approx. 65 exhibitors).

Flénu: Sainte-Henriette site (Av. Du Champ de Bataille), Wednesday from 8 am to 2 pm (approx. 15 exhibitors).

Jemappes: on the Grand-Place on Thursday from 8 am to 2 pm (approx. 35 exhibitors).

Havré: on the Place, Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (approx. 10 exhibitors).

Ghlin: on the Place, Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm (approx. 20 exhibitors).

Soignies: On the square Tuesday morning till approx 11.30. Mainly Food produce.

 

Things to do; Bois des Reves

Bois des Reves is about a 40 minute drive away from SHAPE, near Wavre. We went over the Easter holidays and had a great time. It has an amazing enclosed park for children, great for all ages. Lots of picnic benches. Great place for a dog walk, cycle, jog and generally enjoy an afternoon. It is free!

There is a large lake, cafe and toilets (all open) and a vast woodland area which my children loved! Lots of hills to run up and trees to climb on. Dog loved it also!

There are many signposted footpaths and it also caters for people with reduced mobility. You can pick up a map at the help desk by the children's park.

Website; https://www.destinationbw.be/en/discover/must-sees/bois-des-reves/

Address; Allée du Bois des Rêves 1, 1340 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve

Map; CLICK HERE

Parking; Two car parks. We parked in the one near the play area. 'Parking du Bois des Reves 1' on the Sat Nav. Cost; 2 euro. There is another larger car park also about 3-5 minutes walk from the play park. We passed it as we drove there.

Distance from SHAPE; 42 minutes by car

Open; 6 - 8.00pm

Toilets; Yes, open at the play park and near the cafe

Cafe; Open and lots available to take away. We got hot dogs, waffles, hot chocolates and coffee (hungry family!) Prices good.

Dogs; Yes permitted (not in children's play area) Is also an area where you can let your dog run off the leash. Sign posted.

Buggy friendly; Yes

In the summer there is an outdoor pool which you pay for. This is currently being renovated.

From March to Dec, the pond is available for fishing enthusiasts.

The park also offers a 3 km closed circuit mountain-biking trail. There are also other paths designated for cyclists.

There is a health trail with fitness stops. Children had a good go on these!

Top tip; When the sun is out, these places can get busy, particularly the play park. Go early or on a slightly cooler day to avoid crowds.

Heatwave - How To Cope In Hot Weather

Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot for too long, there are health risks. When hot weather hits this summer, make sure it does not harm you or anyone you know.

For tips on coping in hot weather please click HERE

Things to do; Domaine de Claire Fontaine

 

Outdoor swimming area's One of our favourite is Domaine de Claire Fontaine; Only 25 minutes away, it has a beach area, large lake for swimming with pontoons and slides, children's paddle area, good playground, mini-golf, pedal boats, zip line and tree climbing course.

 

 

 

 

Outdoor swimming area's will also start to open up over the next two weeks. One of our favourite is  

 

Domaine de Claire Fontaine; Only 25 minutes away, it has a beach area, large lake for swimming with pontoons and slides, children's paddle area, good playground, mini-golf, pedal boats, zip line and tree climbing course.

 

Open; Playground opens 1st June, Bathing lake opens 15th June.

 

Website; https://www.domainedeclairefontaine.be/en

 

Map; https://www.google.com/.../50.../@50.48881,4.293195,14z...

 

Distance from SHAPE; 25 minutes by car

 

Cost; Prices can be found here. Prices are around 2.5 euro for children and 4.5 euro for adults. https://www.domainedeclairefontaine.be/en/fun-swimming-area/

 

Dogs; Are not allowed in the bathing area or park. They are allowed in other areas. 

 

FAQ; https://www.domainedeclairefontaine.be/en/faq/

For lots of other idea's of things to do this weekend, please see what's on, at the HIVE; http://shapehive.blogspot.com/search/label/What%27s%20On

Summer Bucket List - over 100 ideas for children

For other ideas of things to do over the summer

https://www.facebook.com/thebestideasforkids/posts/1297250240684709
 

Thins to do; Huy Town, Citadel and Cathedral

 

Huy - just near Namur is a great afternoon out.

The Citadel of Huy occupies a high position in the town, overlooking the strategic Meuse  river. The current fort dates to1818 during the period of Dutch rule in Belgium and took five years to build.

The Citadel was frequently used to house political prisoners. The citadel was a Nazi occupied prison during WWII holding over 7000 prisoners. Many were sent to concentration camps.

Huy cathedral has the largest circular stained glass window in wallonie. The museum is free entry. It was also the filming location for BBCs the missing with James Nesbit. 

There is also a grand place with lots of cafes and shops to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                Pictures of inside the Citadel

Citadel Prices; Adults: €4; Children (6 to 12 years old): €2. Free for all on the first Sunday of the month and on July 21.

Opening times; 9.30- 6.00 every day

More details on prices and opening times; https://www.huy.be/loisirs/musees/fort/horaire-et-tarifs

Map;  https://www.google.com/maps/place/Huy/@50.503281,5.0863724,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x47c1a914dcef9941:0x40099ab2f4d69a0!8m2!3d50.5187153!4d5.2396656

Distance from SHAPE; One hour by Car

Parking; https://www.google.com/maps/dir/50.5175071,3.9994516/parking+in+Huy/@50.5951978,4.0296069,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m1!4e1!1m5!1m1!1s0x47c1a99d5bdfd0e1:0xaa7dac99545a6159!2m2!1d5.2422674!2d50.5203506

Toilets and Cafes; Yes available. Cafes now open to sit outside, there are many available in the Huy Grande Place

Things to do; Belgian Beaches - De Hanne

 

Things to do; Belgian Beaches - De Hanne

 

Belgium has an enormous and amazing coast line. The vast beaches are beautiful sandy and clean. We love the beaches around De Hann (which are only 1.5 hrs away) particularly the quieter ones where the children can explore the endless sand dunes. 

 

We tied in our trip to De Hanne with a trip to Bruges, they are very close together. We booked a night in Bruges. 

 

The Centre of De Hanne has a long promenade to walk along with cafes, take away food, gifts and ice cream. There is a small park on the beach also by the promenade. Being the central resort naturally it is busier than other more quieter parts of the beach.

 

Distance form SHAPE; 1 hour and 28 minutes by car

 

Address; Zeedijk-De Haan 8420, De Haan

 

Map; https://www.google.com/.../@51.2782199,3.../data=!3m1!4b1

 

Cost; Free

 

Dogs; Check notice boards / signs especially in the summer season. If it is a quieter beach and out of season you may be able to let them off. Be sensible and considerate.

 

Toilets; There are public toilets on the promenade (have to pay 50c)

 

Buggy friendly; Beach not really. In De Hanne centre along the promenade you can easily walk with a buggy.

 

Places to park; You can find on street free car parking around the centre of DeHanne.

If you want to get further away from the centre here are some suggestions to park. We used both of these. Parking is free. https://goo.gl/maps/bj9jSynt2YW8Z5y8A

 

This parking spot is near a play park in the woods. From here we followed the path to the sea which took about 4 minutes walk. (We did have to cross a busy road and tramline.) https://goo.gl/maps/PjUcadsqL86eYZZx5

 

Top tip, the beaches are huge that even on a sunny day you can find a quieter spot away from crowds. 

 

 

Costco Membership For The Armed Forces

Costco Wholesale is a membership warehouse club, dedicated to bringing our members quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. We provide a wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of speciality departments and exclusive member services, all designed to make your shopping experience a pleasurable one. We are confident in the quality and value of our products, and we stand behind them with our guarantee of satisfaction.

For more information and to preview our warehouses visit:

www.costco.co.uk/join

Individual Membership:

The annual membership fee for Standard Individual Membership is £28 ex VAT (£33.60 inc VAT), which includes a complimentary card for your spouse or domestic partner. To sign up for membership in the warehouse, please provide your employee ID card or current payslip to prove your employment, PLUS one piece of photographic identification.

Women Veterans Only: Six Week Online Mindfulness Of Dream And Sleep Course

 

Thanks to funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, we have collaborated with Charlie Morley to deliver a series of six week online courses for veterans struggling to cope with the harmful effects that stress and trauma can have on the amount of time we spend asleep. 

Courses will be delivered over the coming year and the first course will be for women veterans only and runs from 13th May to 17th June. If you would like to register for this course please email Paula Edwards at paula@forward-assist.com.

For more information please click HERE

Things to do - Technopolis

Technopolis - just outside Brussels is a fantastic interactive science museum. 

 

Website; https://www.technopolis.be/en/

 

To reserve tickets; https://www.technopolis.be/en/visitors/buy-your-tickets/

 

Address; Technologielaan, 2800 Mechelen

 

Distance from SHAPE; One hour and 8 minutes by car. FREE parking.

 

For public transport details; https://www.technopolis.be/.../vis.../directions-and-contact

 

Opening times; CLICK HERE

 

Cost; CLICK HERE

You need to pre-book tickets; Buy your tickets HERE

 

Toilets and Cafe; Toilets - yes open. Cafe is open and the indoor picnic area (you can bring your own food) Cafe Information HERE

 

Top tips; Like most places in Belgium, get there early and enjoy a full day!

 

 

 

 

FREE Entry to Windsor Castle and The Royal Collection

FREE Entry to Windsor Castle and The Royal Collection

 

MOD90 or Armed Forces ID card holders can visit Windsor Castle with up to four friends or family for FREE after 12 noon. Be sure to check the Royal Collection website to plan and make the most of your visit :

 

Call ahead of your visit on 0303 123 7300 check that the castle is open to the public (no advance booking required).

 

Bring your MOD90 / Armed Forces ID with you to get you and up to four friends or family in for FREE. Please remember to take photographic ID too.

 

For summer 2021 MOD90 cardholders are eligible for tickets to the Garden at Buckingham Palace which is open between 9 July and 19 September 2021. 

 

Further details about The Garden at Buckingham Palace can be found at the link below. The Palace of Holyrood House and the Queen’s Gallery, Edinburgh will be re-opening to the public on Monday, 26 April 2021. 

 

The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle will be re-opening to the public on Monday, 17 May 2021.

 

Click the link below for more information:

https://www.rct.uk/

Things to do; Chateau d'Havre

Chateau d'Havre;

The Chateau is not far from Bois de Havre  (nice woods for a walk). The Chateau is in need of some repair but there are some small grounds to wander around and a play park and zip wire. (Fine for an hour out with kids) 

Map;  CLICK HERE

Distance from SHAPE; 12 minutes

Address; Rue du Château, 30, B - 7021 Havré

Website; https://chateaudhavre.be/

Dogs; Yes, on a lead

Toilets; No

Things to do; Abbaye de Villers

Abbaye de Villers; With the sun shining, this is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. Everyone who visits the abbey ruins at Villers, south of Brussels, wonders how they could never have been before. 

We went on Good Friday and really enjoyed our afternoon there. The kids can run about and climb alittle, lots of places to explore! This can easily fill an afternoon. 

 

What’s left of the massive 12th-century abbey that was once home to monks of the Cistercian Order makes for one of the most beautiful sites in Belgium.

Normally buzzing with all kinds of events and activities, corona means your visit is focused on the abbey and its gardens – which is no bad thing.

 

Distance from SHAPE; 40 minutes by car

 

Carparking; Free

 

Cost; Adults - 9 Euro. Children over 6 - 4 euro. Children under 6 - Free

 

Opening Hours; Everyday from 10 am to 5 pm.

 

Address; Rue de l'Abbaye, 55, 1495 Villers-la-Ville (Brabant wallon)

 

Map; CLICK HERE

 

Website; https://villers.be/en

Dogs; Yes on a lead

Toilets; Yes and open. Both at the start (where you pay) and in the grounds

 

Update 25/03/2021: The Abbey remains open everyday from 10 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm). No reservation necessary.

 

 

 

Things to do; Waux Hall Park

Waux Hall Park (Mons)

Waux-Hall is 5 hectares of landscaped parkland, home to many outdoor sculptures (19th to 20th century) located in Mons.

The park has been the property of the City of Mons since 1892, and offers many leisure possibilities: Boating, walks, small playground and tennis courts.

This is a space for leisure, relaxation, and nature for all the family. We visited here when we first arrived. Is a nice place to spend a sunny couple of hours for a young family. It is quite small. 

Website; CLICK HEREDistance from SHAPE; 19 minutes driveAddress; 22 Avenue Reine Astrid, 7000  MONSMap; CLICK HEREParking; We parked on a nearby street (Free)Dogs; Yes on a leadBuggy Friendly; YesCafe; YesToilets; Yes