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

Things to do; Freddy's Woods off Rue d'Ath

Freddy's Woods

I call them Freddy's woods. We go here regularly as they are only a 5 minute drive from SHAPE, usually quiet and you can do a gentle 40 minute to one hour loop (if with kids) or a longer walk if you prefer. This is a great place for walking dogs!

There are lots of trees to climb on.. and if you explore you may spot the HUGE crater!! That will keep the kids/ dog busy for a while or two!

Where; From the Main Gate turn right. Keep going to the speedy garage junction/ lights. Turn right onto Rue D'Ath. Go under the viaduct and past the pharmacy on your left. 

When you see the Bakers/ Charcuterie on the left with a photo shop next to it turn left. This road is called Rue des Nations. Drive right to the bottom. The woods are there. 

Map; You can park here, and you will see the woods; https://www.google.be/.../data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4...

Distance from SHAPE; 6 minutes from SHAPE by car

Buggy Friendly; No

Dogs allowed; Of course!

Toilets; No

Cafe; No

Notes - Can be muddy in parts when bad weather, wear good footwear! 

You can do a loop round. 

From where you park and enter the woods, walk straight till you get to the road - around 10-15 mins, then turn right stay on the main path, (on your left is the railway line) 

Keep going follow the main path round again to the right. At the cross roads keep to the main track again, turning right again. 

Keep going you will eventually end up on the first path you came in on. Turn left and this will take you back to where you have parked. (You have walked around pretty much in a square)

Things to do; Commune de Jurbise Park

Commune de Jurbise Park

This small park is tucked away behind the magnificent building of the Commune de Jurbise. The building is beautiful and the enclosed play area great for little ones. There is also a large grassed area for a kick about, a volley ball court, ping pong tables, a bowls area and outdoor bbqs and benches to use.

There is a little track around the park which my kids loved riding their bikes around. There are exercise stops around the track if you wanted to combine these with a short run. In the summer we would often take a little picnic with us here.

Pre-Covid the town hall would often hold farmers markets, craft fairs and carnivals.

Distance from SHAPE; 12 minutes by car

Map; https://www.google.com/.../data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4...

Address; Rue du Moustier, 8 - 7050 Jurbise

Dogs; Yes - On a lead

Cafe; No

Toilets; No