Recommended: the Belgian coast

[porp]

We went for a few days this August. If you've got children, live in the South East, like clean and cared for sandy beaches with proper sandy sand, would definitely recommend.

Or if you are properly U75, if you like decaying 70s brutalism by the sea, with lashings of USA style ribbon development suburbs (and you also love a beach in your downtime) , would also recommend. Ostend felt like a weird concrete Marbella.

Cheaper, much cheaper, than say Bournemouth or Devon, better beaches, short drive from the ferry at Dunkirk or lots of rail connections. Lots of bike stuff and bike infrastructure, and a great tram that goes all along the coast

This is where Belgians go for their holidays, they were lovely people, friendly and helpful, but it's not designed for UK tourists. I'm not one of those people who make a fetish out of getting away from other tourists, but it was genuinely interesting to watch another country and their people at play.

 

[WouldBe]

Only been to Ostend so can't recommend any other coastal locations. Atomium in Brussels could be worth an educational visit.

 

[davesgcr]

Years ago we went to Sun Parks at De Haan (much cheaper than say Centre Parks) , it was great - you got a little house (car free) , great sandy beaches and a handy Coast tram for exploring a bit. Easy travelling and all the rest.

 

[Plumdaff]

Funnily enough, this is what we've pencilled in for next year's holiday (have booked somewhere we can cancel in De Haan), so good to know it comes with a recommendation! We planned to Eurostar it and hire bikes/use the tram once we got there.

 

[davesgcr]

Funnily enough, this is what we've pencilled in for next year's holiday (have booked somewhere we can cancel in De Haan), so good to know it comes with a recommendation! We planned to Eurostar it and hire bikes/use the tram once we got there.

De Haan is quite interesting for middle 20th century villa architecture , sort of Welwyn Garden City on sea ! .......(not at all like Pontins for sure !)

 

[The39thStep]

Whatever you do try and avoid traveling on the train when the Ostende FC /Royal Knokke derby is playing

 

[Pickman's model]

Whatever you do try and avoid traveling on the train when the Ostende FC /Royal Knokke derby is playing

The voice of unhappy experience

 

[technical]

De Haan is ace - great restaurants, beer cafes and a wonderful beach. Plus a whole town of intact Belle Époque architecture. And served by the world’s longest tram route. What’s not to like?

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Another vote for the Belgian coast, having had to spend time in Middelkerke, it's nice enough. Plus cheap snout if that's your thing. National dish being beer, moules, steak and chips. All my needs met.

 

[davesgcr]

De Haan has a reversing loop in a sand dune (or did) - I cannot express my pleasure at finding it , with a tram in it - driver having a short nap before his next run. Even my boys were impressed.....

 

[ska invita]

just looked it up on google street view

hmmm...i wont be going thanks

 

[porp]

just looked it up on google street view

hmmm...i wont be going thanks
View attachment 341277

Couldn't you find any bad bits?

 

[ska invita]

Couldn't you find any bad bits?

It was an injoke about stripey tops

 

[dessiato]

We often went to Belgium when we lived in Leatherhead. It's a great country. We used to rent the little houses in Sun Parks. We considered buying one, we liked it so much.

I strongly recommend the beaches. They're clean and, in our experience, not overcrowded.

 

[not-bono-ever]

The Ostend Riviera is ignored by Brits, but I don't mind it. There a great selection of 20th C Belgian built forts and stuff you can trudge around. And Chips

 

[ouirdeaux]

I have never trudged around chips. Is it fun?

 

[Plumdaff]

We did go, in August. Loved it, De Haan is a beautiful spot with the best tram station in the world. Ate lots of waffles, beer, and moules frites, lovely beaches and there's the Frites Museum in nearby Bruges.