An's Tips & Trips

• Until the end of 2017, the local Ten Duinen Abbey Museum has a special exhibit on the many grounds and farms scattered throughout the area that formed part of its medieval domain. Worth a visit. As a qualified guide for the Abbey Museum, An can give you some inside tips and help you plan a bike ride to go and see some of the surviving farms.
• In 2013 Unesco added shrimp fishing on horseback in Oostduinkerke to the UNESCO list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. During the summer, specialist fishermen take their horses to the water and cook their catch on the beach for you to taste. Find the timetable on http://visitkoksijde.be/en/shrimpfishermen-horseback
• 2017 is the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele, an opportunity for an extensive programme of remembrance activities. To find out more go to http://peacevillage.be/en/news/1917-2017-commemorations. All sites are easily accessible by car from Annaweg6

For a full calendar of local activities, visit the Koksijde website http://visitkoksijde.be/en

• the tram around the corner from Annaweg 6 covers the longest distance of any tram in the world? Its total length of 67 kilometers , or 42miles, links Knokke, close to the Netherlands, with De Panne, next to the French border.
• Chelsea and Koksijde have something in common. No, it is not a top spot in the Premier League. It is all in the name…. Both Chelsea and Koksijde refer to a ‘safe haven for ships’… In Chelsea’s case on chalky ground (Chelchith), in Koksijde’s (Coxyde) case probably a wharf owned by someone called ‘Cox’ or riddled with cockles. Who knows? Both names are based on the root ‘Hyd’, surviving most visibly in the name of Hythe in Kent, but also in old street names like Queenhithe, at the Millennium Bridge in London, so called when Queen Matilda was granted duties on goods landed at that particular dock in the 12th century.
• Richard Lionheart on his return from the crusades in the late 12th century granted grounds in England to Koksijde’s Abbey Ten Duinen. Local lore has it that the abbot helped negotiate the ransom for Richard’s release, when he was captured by one of his old allies, the Duke of Austria. The land was sold long ago by the Abbey to pay for repairs in the early 1300’s, so no Brexit worries there!

• Walking : explore the area on foot, following a sign-posted trail such as the artist’s walk or de Doornpanne walk. Alternatively, make your way through the winding paths of the dune reserves and villa streets, or stroll across the beach to the neighbouring resorts and make your way back by foot or tram.
• Cycling : the Veurne-Ambacht cycling route passes close to Annaweg 6 and takes you through the fields to the surrounding towns and villages offering interesting visits (e.g. The Brewery museum in Alveringem, the war graveyard in Oeren) as well as tasty rest stops along the way. Bring your own bikes, or An can help you rent them locally.
• Watersports: : the beach is monitored during the summer months so swimmers can be safe. With its three water sport clubs, Koksijde is one of the most active surfing beaches. Surfing; kitesurfing , windsurfing, stand-up paddling are all local pastimes. Contact An for information or consult the club websites http://www.surfclub-windekind.be; http://www.sycod.be; http://www.kyc.be
• Art & Culture: Koksijde is blessed with museums. An’s top three are the Ten Duinen Abbey Museum, the Delvaux Museum and NAVIGO. They each highlight a unique aspect of this area: its medieval history, the inspiration it provides to artists and the wealth and risks of fishing grounds. The tourist office organises regular guided tours as well as nature and heritage walks featuring the early tourist developments and many artworks in the area. Do not miss the listed 50’s church, a gem of 20th century architecture.

• Rimini
• La Piazetta (also home delivery!)
• L’atelier de Mathilde
• Bistro de la Mer

• Carcasse
• Julia
• Ten Bogaerde

• Het Dorstig Hart (Wulpen)
• Lowie (Veurne)
• De Pastorant (Booitshoeke)
• Aux Coquillages (Braydunes)