5 things to do in Flanders Fields in autumn

The volunteers buglers from the local fire brigade have been playing the Last Post every evening since 1928 (except during WWII), day after day, week in week out, to underline the importance of keeping the memory alive of those who fell during the Great War. Sun or rain, nothing can stop the Last Post Association from performing their tribute to the fallen.

Deep in the heart of Polygon Wood, stands Buttes New British Cemetery and the New Zealand memorial to the missing. 100 years ago, it was a bloody moonscape, but today it is a place of serenity and peace and much emotional reflection.

Rainy day? Head over to one of the “Her Side of the War” exhibitions, as the Great War was not an exclusively male affair. Women too played their part, although not on the battlefield.

Watch the trees lining Canadalaan – ‘Maple Avenue’- turn vivid shades of yellow, orange and red. The road, which was planted with maple trees after the war as a mark of respect for the Canadian sacrifice, will lead you up to the Canadian War Memorial Sanctuary Wood.

With its life representations of war scenes, the extensive collection of weaponry, the uniforms and pictures, you will have plenty of time to warm back up after your visit to the surrounding cemeteries and war memorials.