“Brugse Ommeland”

The hinterland of Bruges is an area brimming with history, known for its unique scenery, lush greenery and serene and peaceful settings and timeless villages. On September 19th we visited one of its great gardens in Oedelem and a fairytale neo-gothic castle in Loppem

Oostveld garden and the Castle of Loppem

https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/chris-ghyselen-belgium-garden

Report by Yves M. Boon:

Thank you again for organising yesterday’s NTAB event. As usual, everything was perfect: warm welcome with coffee and pastry, pleasant walk in the superb garden, excellent lunch and interesting visit of Loppem castle, all of this in fine weather.

A memorable day in good company.

25th September 2026Past Events

Farewell to Malcolm Pimm

It is with great sadness that we inform you that Malcolm Pimm passed away on 14th August. Malcolm was a member of our association for many years, and he will be well known to many of you from his regular attendance at our events in Belgium and on the UK trips.

25 Aug 2026

UK trip 2026

Our visit to Scotland’s South Eastern Highlands from 8-13 June was another memorable NTAB tour. A carefully balanced programme of gardens, historic houses, castles and spectacular scenery ensured that every day brought new discoveries.

10 Jul 2026Past EventsTravel Tips

Merksplas, a vagrant colony

Nelly De Clercq reflects on a remarkable and captivating outing—one that profoundly moved us and left a lasting emotional impression.

23 Apr 2026Past EventsTravel Tips

Nivelles, a most interesting visit

A brief report by Ginny & Jon Caldwell and a big “Thank You” to André & Carole for organizing such a surprising visit to Nivelles.

18 Mar 2026Past Events

Fashion and the British Connection in Antwerp

A report by Robert Adams on the NTAB visit to Antwerp on February 21.

28 Feb 2026Past EventsSuggestions

Brussels, Turn & Taxis and Town Hall

Nelly De Clercq tells us about NTAB’s visit to Brussels’ highlights: the Town Hall interiors and Turn & Taxis former postal and customs hub (Nov.15).

24 Nov 2025Past Events

Namur, Wallonia’s capital

Heather Charlton enjoyed and reports our exploration of Namur (May 17).

18 May 2025Past Events

A sunny day in Gors & Vliermaal

Johan Vanbrabant reports on a National Trust-style house renovation in Gors and a historic fruit growers’ farm in Vliermaal

3 May 2025Past Events

Liège, a cradle of the arts

Margaret du Maine reports on a visit to the Opera House and the La Bovery art gallery in Liège

25 Mar 2025Past Events

Pearls of Hageland

Joana Betson reports on an interesting outing to the castle of Horst and the city of Aarschot

22 Feb 2025Past Events

End of Year in Antwerp

For the 2024 NTAB End of Year event we were at Herita, the Flemish organisation responsible for the preservation of historic places in Flanders. Report by Heather Charlton.

15 Jan 2025Past Events

Farewell to Marc Servotte

It is with great sadness that we inform you that Marc Servotte, our former board member and chairman, passed away on November 28, 2024.

1 Jan 2025

Beveren: polders, power and port

A fascinating day out along the West bank of the Schelde, a windswept and largely unknown part of Belgium. A report by Nick Fern.

25 Nov 2024Past Events

A weekend in French Flanders (St. Omer)

On 5 & 6 October 2024 a group of NTAB members stayed overnight in St. Omer in French Flanders and visited La Coupole in Wizernes and the marais audomarois in nearby Salperwick. A report by Jean Trestour

18 Oct 2024Past Events

Mahymobiles and the Castle of Attre

Nick Fern reports on Transports of Delight in Hainaut

21 Sep 2024Past Events

Trip to Lincolnshire

Bo Dahlqvist’s literary report of our trip to Lincolnshire.

23 Jun 2024Past Events

Outing to Veurne & Abbey Ten Duinen

Veurne’s wealth was derived from their prestigious weavers who produced high quality cloth from English wool. By Ginny & Jon Caldwell

29 May 2024Past Events

Avant-garde art & an alpine rock garden

FeliXart museum in Drogenbos & rock garden ‘Bloemendal’ in Huizingen. by Nelly Cock-De Clercq

28 Apr 2024Past Events

Maaseik and Thorn

Two charming border towns on the meandering river Meuse. By Margaret du Maine

25 Mar 2024Past Events

NT trip to Devon & Somerset, Sept 2023

Some lines in verse by a Swedish poet

14 Sep 2023Past Events

Hercule Poirot

the Belgian connection in Agatha Christie’s novels.

16 Jul 2023

Farewell to Max Osterrieth

It is with great sadness that we learned that our founding chairman, Mr Max Osterrieth, passed away on April 13th.

20 Apr 2023NT News

Wordsworth back to Grasmere

A wonderful gift of poetry, by Nelly Cock-De Clercq

18 Jul 2022

NT trip to Northern Ireland, June 2022

A report by David & Wendy Humphreys, and some lines in verse by a Swedish poet

15 Jun 2022Past EventsTravel Tips

New Chair of the National Trust

The National Trust’s Council has appointed René Olivieri as new Chair of the National Trust. René appears to have a special link with Belgium.

15 Dec 2021NT News

The National Trust has needlessly provoked an ‘anti-woke’ campaign

Simon Jenkins, The Guardian columnist and NT chairman 2008-14, comments on a reassessment of colonial history of trust property.

15 Oct 2021NT News

Resurrection of The Bulletin as an online radio station

Last month, The Bulletin launched its own online radio station. This English-language pop-up service targets Belgium’s international community.