West Front Newport — Attraction in Nieuwpoort

Again, one of the further flung places to go. We arrived via the coastal tram that runs the length of the Belgian coast (which for €14 gives you a day ticket which allows you to hop on and off where ever you like).

The west front in Nieuwpoort is only five minutes walk from the main tram stop in the town. It its own right, it is a grand monument, which affords good views of the town from the top. The fit can use the 180 or so steps, the bone idle can use the lift.

The visitor centre is fascinating in that it gives a very detailed account of the town's role in WW1, in particular how the lock gates were opened during WW1 to flood the polders thus preventing the German forces from advancing. In addition, it gives some insight into the rebuilding of the town after the war.

There are also a number of images from 'Ye Berlyn Tapestrie' - the highly amusing satirical work by John Hassall.

As ever, we didn't really allow enough time, and it has gone our list of...

We visited the monument a number of years ago when it was being reinvented. So I didn't get to see all that much. This time it was fully open and had a number of presentations on, the first being by a local statue maker from the 1890s much of his work was damaged during the first world war. The event was Ok but it sort of overshadowed the first world war presentation. The first world war exhibit was a little lacking in things to see and do . In the main hall was a film by two artists making displays by hand and in black and white this was very watchable. The view from the top of the memorial was absolutely stunning. Aided by the great...

Quelle tristesse! I have heard a lot about this monument and have seen a many pictures that sharpened my expectations. Unfortunaltely this Royal Monument does not meet expectations (for me). First of all, the surroundings, yet that's not on the account of the monument. Beer cans everywhere, however, is. There is not a shred of 'grandeur' apart from the architecture. As if Belgians are not/no longer proud of there heritage. The visitors center isn't inviting either. I did not visit (because of that reason) so it would be unfair to comment on that. The overall atmosphere for a casual visitor, however, is one of sadness and lack of...