Pondfarm private collection -by appointment only — Local services in Langemark - Poelkapelle

We made an appointment to visit to the working farm - Pond Farm, on 22nd of August 2018. This was the 101st anniversary of my wife's Grandfathers death, fighting for the 2nd Gloucesters at Pond Farm.

Stijn gave us a very warm welcome and then explained the farm's position during the Great War.

He showed us where the German and British Expeditionary Forces were in relation to the farm and how Pond Farm almost dissected the opposing lines.

On the tour of the farm Stijn showed us some of the war detritus that had been found; from coils of barbed wire to spent armaments and shells. There was also a cage of unexploded shells that the Belgian Authorities take away and deal with every so often.

Stijn also showed us his private museum, again a selection of armaments, small arms and rifles. He also had effects donated by families whose fathers, brothers or sons had fought and often died at Pond Farm. He also has a tree trunk recovered from the battlefield where visitors can sign their remembrances.

In another part of Stijn's museum he showed us the replica British WW1 field tank he built, absolutely amazing! Outside he showed us a field gun he also built out of spent shells.

Throughout the tour Stijn was kind and very respectful of our emotional visit. He was also very enthusiastic and knowledgeable of war at Pond Farm.

I started this review last year, but our gratitude to...

Pond Farm Review My wife and I recently visited Pond Farm Museum near Ieper Belgium. We strongly recommend going out of your way to visit this unique venue. Pond farm is located in the thick of where the World War One fighting was. As our guide pointed out, we could see the place where the Germans first used poison gas in the war. The farm had a German headquarters and hospital. Our guide gave us so much information about the farm, I couldn’t begin to relate it here. As you see the large assortment of artillery shells, shrapnel, bullets, cartridges, tank and tanker parts in the museum, you become even more impressed with the fact that they came from the farm. All the exhibits were explained by our guide in such a way to make history come alive. Externally, their tank is wonderfully done. I was impressed by the thickness of the steel, and the correctness of the details. Additionally, there is an actual unditching beam you can compare to the replica on the tank. At Pond Farm, we gained a better feel for the battles in Belgium than anyplace else in the Ieper area.

Tennessee Travelers United...

Absolutely brilliant we had Stens mum as our guide. What a lovely lady very friendly and her passion for their farm was wonderful. We were there on our guided tour for abt 45mins to an Hour. We had this organised for us by our guide, so I don't know how you exactly go about getting a visit. Our Son loved it as he had seen Pond farm on a Combat Dealers episode when Bruce visited.... Brilliant little private...