Hougoumont Farm — Attraction in Braine-l'Alleud

During our recent trip to the Waterloo battlefield from Dublin, Ireland, one of the absolute highlights for my wife, my son and me was our visit to Hougoumont Farm. As a key location in the Battle of Waterloo and a place rich with historical significance, it completely exceeded our expectations.

The moment we stepped inside the gates, we were struck by the atmosphere of the place. It has been beautifully restored while preserving its authenticity, and you can truly feel the weight of history in the air. Knowing that this small, fortified farm was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting during the battle made our visit all the more powerful.

The multimedia presentation in the barn was incredibly well done—immersive, emotional and informative. It helped us imagine what the soldiers endured here, especially the heroic defense by British and Allied troops against overwhelming French attacks. My son, who is passionate about the Napoleonic era, was completely captivated. He had read about Hougoumont before, but seeing it in person gave him a whole new appreciation for its importance.

Walking through the courtyards, the chapel and the orchard gave us a clear sense of how the battle unfolded. We were particularly moved by the restored chapel and the story of the closing of the North Gate, which was a turning point in the fight. The original gate is still there, battered but standing, and it's one of those details that really connects you to the past.

The staff at Hougoumont were friendly and welcoming, and the signage was informative without being overwhelming. Everything was clean, well-maintained and thoughtfully laid out. The farm also offers a quiet, reflective space amid the larger battlefield site—a perfect balance between education and emotion.

In short, visiting Hougoumont Farm was a deeply memorable experience for our whole family. It is a must-see if you are exploring Waterloo or have even a passing interest in European history. For us, it was more than a site—it was a story, a symbol of resilience and a deeply human chapter of the battle....

Visited in June 1815 as part of a group trip from England. Travel arrangements were smooth with a lively march through Belgium and a warm welcome at Hougoumont. The locals were extremely enthusiastic and put on a grand display of fireworks musket fire and even a few cannon.

The grounds were excellent with high walls shady gardens and a sturdy farmhouse that offered plenty of opportunities for climbing running and defending narrow gateways. Activities included constant musket volleys hand to hand wrestling with very determined French guests and an especially memorable session when they tried to burn down the North Gate. Our hosts from the Coldstream Guards did a marvellous job keeping spirits high and ensuring none of the guests overstayed their welcome.

Highlights included the orchard skirmishes the brave stand at the walls and the sheer number of cannonballs that arrived free of charge. Catering was somewhat limited to bread cheese and powder smoke but the atmosphere was unbeatable.

Would recommend to anyone looking for an energetic Belgian getaway with plenty of action and a guaranteed story to tell the...

Went there as part of a visit to the Waterloo battlefield during the anniversary weekend, when there is a major re-enactment with canon, cavalry and even a Napoleon impersonator doing the rounds. It was excellent.

I was also lucky enough to bump into the excellent people from Waterloo Uncovered. Look them up if you don't know what they do and watch their YouTube channel which has loads of great information about Hougoumont and the battle of Waterloo.

Minor criticisms of the visitors site as a whole were that food and drink can be pricey and there is nowhere to refill water bottles leaving you having to buy water from the vendors on site with all the extra expense and plastic waste that creates.

If you go specifically for the re-enactment be prepared that there was no English commentary so you need to have a good grasp of the events of the battle before you go, otherwise it can all be a bit confusing.

Overall though a really good...