Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
44 within 3 miles
Attractions
57 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- DavidLille, France1,899 contributionsVery well kept and inspiring.I was fortunate to visit this cemetery as part of a memorial event. As ever, the CWGC do a great job honouring the fallen of many nations. Unfortunately, the museum appeared closed so at the time so I could not visit.Visited October 2023Traveled on businessWritten October 14, 2023
- Monica McGowanAdelaide, Australia6 contributionsLissenthoek Military CemeteryHighly informative, peaceful and a sombre reminder of the very high cost of war. Almost 11,000 graves - Australian, New Zealand, French, British and American. Went to pay my respects to my great uncle who is buried there. Excellent mini museum which was very interesting. Lovely grounds - those that rest there are surely at peaceVisited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 12, 2024
- Travel_Girl_ReviewsLondon, United Kingdom698 contributionsIncredibly humbling....If you find yourself in this part of Belgium, make sure to spend some time here—you won’t regret it. The cemetery is both humbling and profound, with over ten thousand graves representing countries from around the world, including South Africa, the UK, France, Israel, and Canada. It's a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by so many young people for our freedom. There’s also a small museum attached, which is incredibly informative and adds depth to the experience. The grounds are immaculately kept, reflecting the respect and care given to this sacred place. Practical amenities like a restroom are available as well. We brought our children to help them grasp the enormity of the sacrifices made, and it left a lasting impression on all of us.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 14, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
278 reviews
Excellent
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66
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David
Lille, France1,899 contributions
Oct 2023 • Business
I was fortunate to visit this cemetery as part of a memorial event. As ever, the CWGC do a great job honouring the fallen of many nations.
Unfortunately, the museum appeared closed so at the time so I could not visit.
Unfortunately, the museum appeared closed so at the time so I could not visit.
Written October 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin97uk
High Wycombe, England, United Kingdom180 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
The cemetery here holds nearly 10,000 British and Commonwealth graves from the First World War as well as nearly 900 French, Belgian and German graves. It is the second largest Commonwealth cemetery in Belgium (Tyne Cot is just a little larger). The identities of the vast majority are known (unlike many war cemeteries), as this cemetery was associated with a large evacuation hospital.
The visitor centre helps understand the context and history of the site, making a visit much more than just a visit to see a lot of graves. A key part of the display illustrates the history of the hospital (and cemetery) in relation to events happening nearby at the time. This is also reflected in a row of 1,392 posts on the path into the cemetery, each representing one day in the history of the hospital and cemetery and indicating the number of casualties that day. On some days there are very many!
The visitor centre helps understand the context and history of the site, making a visit much more than just a visit to see a lot of graves. A key part of the display illustrates the history of the hospital (and cemetery) in relation to events happening nearby at the time. This is also reflected in a row of 1,392 posts on the path into the cemetery, each representing one day in the history of the hospital and cemetery and indicating the number of casualties that day. On some days there are very many!
Written November 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
p.lm_123
Shipston on Stour, UK71 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Visiting Lijssenthoek was a very personal experience for us, visiting the final resting place of Albert Edward Harper who died at the hospital in June 1917 aged 18. We were met by the curator of the museum who guided us through the beautifully tended cemetery. This is the second largest commonwealth military cemetery in Belgium, not as formal as Tyne Cot but well worth a visit. Highly recommended even if you don't have a family member resting there.
Written June 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SarahJade90
Sheffield, UK31 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
First visit here and really impressed with the visitors centre- very informative and tells a different story of the front lines. The fence is also a clever and sobering memorial showing how many people died there at different points during the conflict- will be useful to help students contextualise their learning when I return in the summer. Also, the fact that there are graves of people from lots of different nationalities helps to demonstrate how it really was a 'world war'.
Written October 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer Z
Racine, WI68 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
We had already visited Tyne Cot and Ieper (Ypres) so I wasn't expecting a lot. It was really great. The welcome center was very informative- this was a field hospital. I highly recommend it.
Written March 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mrs_Gannon
West Yorkshire43 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
When you go into the visitors centre make sure to press the E button for English translations and if you wish to keep a copy of the screen shot use the print button to the RHS of the image.
Written September 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OohArrAdventures
Newquay, UK22 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
This is a fascinating cemetery due to its location and origin as a evacuation hospital and site of four field hospitals. The information centre is great and full of facts and knowledge about the hospital's vital role in WW1. The entrance to the cemetery has one of the most poignant installations with hundreds of metal posts lined along the pathway that each show a date and a number of cut-out slits that mark the number of deaths on that date on one paticular year during WW1. When the sun shines, rays of sunlight shine through the slits and produce a shadow on the pathway ground. Very moving before you even enter the cemetery.
The cemetery itself is beautifully-cared for by gardeners and features commonweath graves as well as the graves of some hinese labourers. There is also one female grave of a nurse, Well, the only official female grave. Ask a tour guide about the "secret female" grave in the cemetery.
A somber place but one that also saved thousands of lives of the brave soldiers. Well worth a visit.
The cemetery itself is beautifully-cared for by gardeners and features commonweath graves as well as the graves of some hinese labourers. There is also one female grave of a nurse, Well, the only official female grave. Ask a tour guide about the "secret female" grave in the cemetery.
A somber place but one that also saved thousands of lives of the brave soldiers. Well worth a visit.
Written November 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller51_11
North Essex, U.K.1,615 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Whenever we travel to pay homage to lost relatives on the Somme, we always make a detour to this Cemetery – because it holds a Gt. Uncle of mine, amongst its 10,785 inhabitants. Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery is the second largest WW1 cemetery in Belguim, behind Tyne Cot Cemetery which contains 11,954 burials. Apparently, both cemetery plots are similar in size but nearly all burials at the former are identified whereas approx. 70% at the latter are not.
When we last visited in October 2012, I posted a review mentioning the virtues of an ingenious timeline ‘wall’ of 1392 metal poles that had been erected along the length of the cemetery's frontage. I wrote “Each pole represents a day in the history of the Clearing Hospital and each pole bears a certain number of slots - when the sun shines on the poles, a graph appears on the pavement. Each slot represents a death occurring at the Clearing Hospital on that day and, thus, a burial in the cemetery.”
I posted a pic to demonstrate just how poignant and effective these posts were – even when the light was not so bright, the timeline deaths were there to make their mark on the path….. well, sadly, not anymore …. because, since our visit two years ago, a hedge has been planted in front of the poles!
Whilst there, we helped a British couple out who had been stranded at the un-manned Visitor Centre, by taking them to Poperinge to rendezvous with their tour coach …. they had visited the cemetery to pay their respects to the lady’s relative for the first time. En route to Poperinge, we asked if they had entered the cemetery from along the front … they had. The significance of the ‘wall’ was lost to them – all it had been was a row of poles with bits of hedge poking through …. as they passed by (oblivious) to the pole special to their relative. I’ve emailed CWGC and Lijssenthoek – I would like to hope that someone who can make a difference will reverse the hedge decision – it will save money on upkeep for a start, if it could be ripped out forthwith.
I would say that whoever thought up the pole-wall concept did so with great imagination and inspiration but whoever decided to plant the hedge did so void of these two attributes!
All that aside, the evolving Visitor Centre has a few interesting changes since we were last there so it is always worth looking in en route from the car-park to the cemetery.
When we last visited in October 2012, I posted a review mentioning the virtues of an ingenious timeline ‘wall’ of 1392 metal poles that had been erected along the length of the cemetery's frontage. I wrote “Each pole represents a day in the history of the Clearing Hospital and each pole bears a certain number of slots - when the sun shines on the poles, a graph appears on the pavement. Each slot represents a death occurring at the Clearing Hospital on that day and, thus, a burial in the cemetery.”
I posted a pic to demonstrate just how poignant and effective these posts were – even when the light was not so bright, the timeline deaths were there to make their mark on the path….. well, sadly, not anymore …. because, since our visit two years ago, a hedge has been planted in front of the poles!
Whilst there, we helped a British couple out who had been stranded at the un-manned Visitor Centre, by taking them to Poperinge to rendezvous with their tour coach …. they had visited the cemetery to pay their respects to the lady’s relative for the first time. En route to Poperinge, we asked if they had entered the cemetery from along the front … they had. The significance of the ‘wall’ was lost to them – all it had been was a row of poles with bits of hedge poking through …. as they passed by (oblivious) to the pole special to their relative. I’ve emailed CWGC and Lijssenthoek – I would like to hope that someone who can make a difference will reverse the hedge decision – it will save money on upkeep for a start, if it could be ripped out forthwith.
I would say that whoever thought up the pole-wall concept did so with great imagination and inspiration but whoever decided to plant the hedge did so void of these two attributes!
All that aside, the evolving Visitor Centre has a few interesting changes since we were last there so it is always worth looking in en route from the car-park to the cemetery.
Written November 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David D
Cox, spain178 contributions
May 2014 • Family
A large well kept cemetery. Long walk from a small car park to gate. Coach loads of unsupervised children showed little respect. A memorial to great sacrifice spoiled by a few.
Written June 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fasteddie69
Alnwick, UK67 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
A must see if visiting the area as are all the CWG as they are kept immaculate and represent the many lost including Nelly Spindler
Written September 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taxi from Ypres to Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Do you know how much it would cost? Bus number 60 doesn't run very frequently.
Written October 14, 2019
Hi. We walked from Poperinghe
I am sure you could find a taxi quote from Ypres.
Or get train to Pop and then walk?
Written October 15, 2019
Taking a tour stopping in brugges and brussels. Possible to get transportation to cemetery to see grandfathers grave?
Written January 1, 2019
You could take one of the frequent trains from Brugge to Ieper/Ypres. Then take a taxi to the cemetery which is about 10 Km distant from the train station.
Written January 1, 2019
Hi, best way to get there from brugge? Public transport? Car hire? Travel company? Cheers, Malcolm PS My grand uncle William Harold SIMCOCK is buried there
Written March 7, 2018
Best travel is by car as the cemetery is near the French border. About 45 min drive. Take the chance and visit Ypres as this is quite near.
Written March 10, 2018
I am trying to find a travel company who have a visit to the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery on their in
itinerary. One Travel Company, Door2Door did it this year, but are not doing it next year. I hope to visit Ypres and have been told I can get a train from there Poperinge, then a taxi to the cemetery. However, this is fraught with connection and time problems. I am hoping to visit end June/beginning July next year. If anyone has any information that would be helpful, I would be most grateful. Many thanks. Bill Jones
Written December 6, 2015
Bill
We were travelling in our own car, so can't help with the name of a tour company, but I'm sure there was a tour bus in the car park - maybe it was Battle Honours, I must admit I didn't take any notice,
Another option would be to ask the Poperinghe Tourist Office for help - we went in whilst we were there, and found the staff very helpful.
But do make the effort, it is well worth it.
Written December 13, 2015
How do I get there using public transport from Lille?
Written February 4, 2015
There is no public transport to the cemetary. You have to travel to Poperinge and then take a taxi. The address of the cemetary is: Boescheepseweg 35A
Written February 6, 2015
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