Sacred Monuments in Belgium
A guide to 434 Sacred Monuments in Belgium — with descriptions, photos and traveler visits from the NextOnTrip community. Locations spread across 170 cities and towns. Most visited by the community: Abbaye de Saint-Denis-en-Broqueroie, Mariapark, Roeselare Communal Cemetery.
-
Potijze Château Grounds Cemetery
Ypres
Potijze Château Grounds Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial ground located on the eastern edge of Ypres, in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The site sits within the former Ypres Salient, the bulge in the front line that Commonwealth forces held for almost the entire duration of the First World War. Where exactly is the cemetery located? The cemetery occupies part of the former Potijze Château estate, a nineteenth-century country house standing in the village of Potijze, directly behind the Allied trench lines. Although the village itself was never captured by German forces, it remained within range of enemy artillery throughout the war, meaning that even this rear-area position was under constant threat of shellfire. What role did the château itself play? The château building, though badly damaged by continuous shelling, remained occupied and in use by Commonwealth troops for the whole of the war. In the spring of 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres, it served as the headquarters of the 27th Division, then commanded by Major-General Thomas D'Oyly Snow. That a divisional headquarters operated so close to the front line underlines how vital the Potijze area was as a command and logistics point in the defence of Ypres. When was the cemetery established and how did it grow? The cemetery on the château grounds was used from May 1915 to September 1918 — effectively for as long as the surrounding area stayed in Allied hands. During that period, 241 soldiers were buried in what is known as Plot I, most of them casualties from fighting in the immediate vicinity. After the Armistice in November 1918, a second section, Plot II, was created through the concentration of graves: the remains of 225 soldiers were brought in from isolated battlefield graves and small burial grounds scattered across the countryside to the north-east of Potijze. This kind of post-war consolidation was common practice across the Ypres Salient, where hundreds of small, scattered burial sites were gathered into larger, permanently maintained cemeteries. What does the site represent today? The land on which the cemetery stands was granted to the United Kingdom in perpetuity by King Albert I of Belgium, in recognition of the sacrifices made by the forces of the British Empire in the defence and liberation of Belgium during the war. Today, Potijze Château Grounds Cemetery forms part of the wider network of CWGC cemeteries surrounding Ypres, visited by descendants of the fallen, historians, and travellers following battlefield trails through the Flanders region. Frequently asked questions Where is the cemetery situated? On the eastern outskirts of Ypres, on the grounds of the former Potijze Château estate in the province of West Flanders, Belgium. Since when have soldiers been buried here? Burials took place from May 1915 to September 1918, with a second plot added after the war from graves concentrated from the surrounding countryside. How many burials are there? Plot I holds 241 wartime burials, while Plot II, created after the Armistice, holds a further 225 — 466 graves in total. What was Potijze Château? A nineteenth-century country house that, despite heavy shell damage, served Commonwealth forces throughout the war, including as headquarters of the 27th Division in spring 1915.
-
Aeroplane Cemetery
Ypres
Aeroplane Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial ground located near Zillebeke, in the Ypres (Ieper) area of Belgium, on what was once the Western Front of the First World War. It is one of dozens of cemeteries scattered across the Ypres Salient — the stretch of front line that saw almost continuous fighting between Commonwealth (and, for a time, French) forces and the German army from October 1914 until the summer of 1918. Where does the name come from? The ground on which the cemetery now stands was No Man's Land until 31 July 1917, when the 15th (Scottish) Division, with the 55th (West Lancashire) Division on its left flank, captured the nearby villages of Verlorenhoek and Frezenberg. The cemetery itself was started the following month, in August 1917, by the 15th Division together with the 16th (Irish) Division, during the Third Battle of Ypres — better known as the Battle of Passchendaele. It was originally named New Cemetery, Frezenberg. Within a few weeks, though, the name changed to Aeroplane Cemetery, after the wreck of a crashed aircraft that lay close to the earliest graves. That chance detail gave the site the name it still carries today. What happened here during the war? Fighting units continued to use the cemetery until March 1918. The area then fell under German occupation for a period, before returning to Commonwealth control; burials resumed here from September 1918 through to the end of the war. Where were the buried soldiers brought from? After the Armistice, the cemetery grew considerably as graves were concentrated here from smaller burial grounds nearby that were subsequently closed. Among them were 20 graves brought from Bedford House Cemetery Enclosure No. 5 in Zillebeke, and 23 graves — including two German soldiers — from Lock 8 Cemetery in Voormezele. This kind of postwar consolidation, merging small, scattered burial sites into larger cemeteries that were easier to maintain, was standard practice for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission across the entire Ypres Salient. How many people are buried here? Aeroplane Cemetery now holds the graves of, or commemorates, 1,105 Commonwealth servicemen from the First World War. The site remains under the permanent care of the CWGC, alongside dozens of other cemeteries spread across the Ypres region — a lasting record of the losses suffered in the fighting over this stretch of the Western Front. Frequently asked questions Why is it called Aeroplane Cemetery? Because the wreck of a crashed aeroplane lay close to the first graves, established in August 1917. The name replaced the original one, New Cemetery, Frezenberg, within a few weeks. When was the cemetery founded? In August 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), by the 15th (Scottish) Division and the 16th (Irish) Division. How many soldiers are buried at Aeroplane Cemetery? 1,105 Commonwealth servicemen from the First World War, including graves relocated here after the war from smaller cemeteries that were later closed. Where exactly is the cemetery located? Near the village of Zillebeke, in the Ypres (Ieper) area of West Flanders, Belgium, within the former Ypres Salient.
-
Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery
Ypres
Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery is a Commonwealth war cemetery located roughly 2 km southwest of the centre of Ypres, on a road called Omloopstraat, leading off the Dikkebusseweg. The name dates back to 1915, when three batteries of Belgian field artillery were stationed at this road junction, giving the spot its distinctive designation. How did this cemetery come to be here? The cemetery was begun by the 8th Division in June 1917, following the Battle of Messines, although one grave in Plot III, Row A, predates that formal opening. The site continued to be used for burials until October 1918, primarily for soldiers who died at a dressing station set up in a nearby cottage. How many graves are at the cemetery? Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery contains 573 Commonwealth war graves from the First World War, of which 7 remain unidentified. Among those buried here are 121 members of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), making the site a notable stop for Australian visitors tracing the history of the Great War in Belgium. What is the historical background of the site? The cemetery's name and location are tied directly to the artillery positions established at this crossroads in 1915, when Belgian field batteries operated from the spot. Although the cemetery itself was not created until two years later, the name endured, reflecting the site's earlier military significance before British and Allied forces — including Australian units — took over its use through the later years of the conflict. Can visitors access the cemetery? Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery is permanently open, with no restricted visiting hours. It forms part of the wider network of war cemeteries scattered across the Ypres Salient, the area around Ypres where some of the bloodiest fighting of the First World War took place. For travellers exploring the region's Great War heritage, this cemetery offers a quieter, more intimate stop compared to larger and more frequently visited sites such as Tyne Cot or the Menin Gate in central Ypres. Why is this site worth a visit? Although smaller and less well known than the region's largest cemeteries, Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery provides an authentic and peaceful encounter with First World War history. Its name is a direct reminder of the role Belgian forces played in defending the Ypres Salient before the site passed into British and Allied hands. The neat rows of white headstones, typical of cemeteries maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, together with the tranquil setting on the edge of town, make this a worthwhile addition to any itinerary focused on the military history of West Flanders.
-
Menin Road South Military Cemetery
Ypres
Menin Road South Military Cemetery is a British war cemetery near Ypres (Ieper) in Belgium, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). It stands along the route of the old Menin Road, which ran east and slightly south from Ypres towards a front line that, for most of the war, shifted only a few kilometres in either direction. The ground on which the cemetery sits remained within Allied lines throughout the conflict. When was the cemetery established? Burials at this site began in January 1916, first carried out by the 8th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, and the 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. The cemetery continued to be used by fighting units and field ambulances stationed in the area right up until the summer of 1918, meaning it was in active use for almost the entire duration of the fighting around Ypres. What happened to the cemetery after the war? The number of graves grew substantially after the Armistice. Remains were brought in from the nearby Menin Road North Military Cemetery, as well as from isolated graves scattered across the former battlefields to the east. This kind of post-war consolidation was common practice for the Commission during the 1920s: smaller or more exposed burial grounds were gradually cleared, and the fallen were reburied in larger, better-maintained cemeteries where their graves could be properly cared for. How many servicemen are buried or commemorated here? Today, 1,657 First World War servicemen are buried or commemorated at Menin Road South Military Cemetery. Of these, 118 burials remain unidentified. Special memorials have been erected for 24 casualties who are known, or believed with reasonable certainty, to be buried among these unidentified graves. In addition, the cemetery holds special memorials to 54 casualties originally buried at Menin Road North Military Cemetery, whose graves were most likely destroyed by shellfire and could never be relocated. Who designed the cemetery? The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, one of the principal architects who worked with the Imperial War Graves Commission (the forerunner of the CWGC) on the design of war cemeteries across France and Belgium after the First World War. His designs are typically marked by restrained, symmetrical layouts intended to create a calm, dignified setting for remembrance. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the cemetery located? The cemetery lies near Ypres (Ieper), in the Belgian province of West Flanders, along the route of the former Menin Road heading east out of the city. Is this the only cemetery connected to the Menin Road? No. A related site, Menin Road North Military Cemetery, once stood nearby. After the war, identifiable graves from that cemetery were transferred here, while special memorials were raised for those whose graves could no longer be found. Can visitors access the cemetery? Yes. Like other CWGC sites in the Ypres area, it is open to the public and forms part of the wider network of First World War cemeteries and memorials that visitors to Flanders' former battlefields commonly explore. Over what period was the cemetery used for burials? The cemetery was in use from January 1916 through the summer of 1918, and further graves were added afterwards when remains were brought in from nearby battlefield sites and the neighbouring Menin Road North Military Cemetery.
-
Ferme-Olivier Cemetery
Ypres
Ferme-Olivier Cemetery is a small First World War burial ground located roughly 7 kilometres north-west of the centre of Ypres, on the Steentjesmolenstraat (N333), a road connecting the local network to the N8 route running from Ypres to Veurne via Elverdinge. It forms part of the dense web of Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemeteries scattered across West Flanders, commemorating soldiers who fell in the fighting around Ypres between 1914 and 1918. Where does the name come from? The cemetery takes its name from a nearby farm ("ferme" being French for farm), which served as a landmark for troops stationed in this sector of the front. This kind of naming — after neighbouring farms, mills or crossroads — was common practice for the many smaller war cemeteries established close to the front line, in areas lacking a larger settlement to lend its name instead. What is the history behind this site? The cemetery was used continuously from 9 June 1915 to 5 August 1917. During that period, the 62nd, 16th, 9th, 11th, 129th and 130th Field Ambulances successively operated dressing stations nearby — medical units of the British Army responsible for first aid and the evacuation of wounded soldiers from the battlefield. This explains the steady stream of burials over more than two years spanning some of the most intense fighting around Ypres, including the periods surrounding the Second and Third Battles of Ypres. How many burials does the cemetery hold? The cemetery contains 408 Commonwealth burials from the First World War, six of which remain unidentified. Alongside them lie three German war graves — a less common but not unique feature among CWGC cemeteries in this region, where enemy casualties were occasionally buried as well, particularly when they died nearby or passed through the same dressing stations as wounded Allied soldiers. What does the layout of the cemetery look like? The centrepiece of the site is the Stone of Remembrance, positioned midway through the cemetery in line with the entrance — a standard feature of larger CWGC cemeteries, honouring all the fallen regardless of faith. The Cross of Sacrifice, the other defining element of Commonwealth cemetery design, stands in the western corner of the grounds, close to the main road, making it visible to passers-by even from outside the cemetery. Can the cemetery be visited? Yes, Ferme-Olivier Cemetery is permanently open, with no restricted visiting hours, as is the case with most CWGC cemeteries in Flanders. It sits in a quiet, rural setting away from the main tourist routes associated with Ypres, making it a suitable destination for visitors seeking a more intimate, reflective experience compared with the larger, more frequently visited cemeteries in the town itself, such as Ypres Reservoir Cemetery or Tyne Cot. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the cemetery located? On the Steentjesmolenstraat, about 7 km north-west of the centre of Ypres, towards Elverdinge. From what period do the burials date? From 1915 to 1917, during the peak of fighting in this sector of the Western Front. Is entry free? Yes, the cemetery is open to visitors year-round, free of charge.
-
Canada Farm Cemetery
Ypres
Canada Farm Cemetery is a small First World War burial ground located roughly 8.5 kilometres north-west of Ypres town centre, on the Elzendammestraat, a road linking the Veurneweg with Elverdinge and onward to Veurne. Set away from the busier memorial routes closer to Ypres itself, the cemetery offers a quieter, more secluded stop for visitors seeking a reflective experience away from the more heavily visited sites. Where does the name come from? The cemetery takes its name from a nearby farmhouse that served as a dressing station during the Allied offensive of 1917. Wounded soldiers evacuated from the front lines during the fighting around Ypres were brought here for treatment. Despite the Canadian reference in its name, only a small number of those buried here were actually Canadian — the vast majority of casualties came from the Third Battle of Ypres, better known as the Battle of Passchendaele. Who is buried here? The cemetery holds close to 910 First World War burials. Most of the graves date from between June and October 1917, the period when the dressing station at the farm was busiest, receiving casualties directly from the nearby front lines. Those buried here came from various units of the British and Commonwealth forces, reflecting the scale and international character of the fighting that took place in this part of Flanders. Who designed the cemetery? The cemetery was designed by Reginald Blomfield, one of the principal architects working with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), with assistance from Arthur Hutton. Blomfield designed numerous war cemeteries across Flanders and France, giving them the calm, orderly layout typical of CWGC sites — regular rows of white headstones, carefully maintained lawns, and a central Cross of Sacrifice. What is the site like today? The cemetery is permanently open to visitors, and the route to it is signposted. Because of its distance from central Ypres, it tends to attract visitors specifically planning a route through the lesser-known First World War memorial sites, including descendants searching for a particular grave and those with a deeper interest in the history of the Great War. In 2009 the cemetery was granted protected monument status, underlining its historical and cultural significance for the region. Frequently asked questions Is the cemetery easy to reach? Yes, it is signposted and open year-round, though it lies some distance from the centre of Ypres, so a car or bicycle is the most practical way to get there. Why is it called "Canada Farm" if most of those buried are not Canadian? The name comes from the farmhouse used as a dressing station in 1917, not from the nationality of those buried there — a naming pattern common among CWGC cemeteries in the Ypres area. Is the cemetery open to the public? Yes, it is freely accessible and open throughout the year to anyone wishing to pay their respects or learn about this part of the Western Front.
-
Hagle Dump Cemetery
Ypres
Hagle Dump Cemetery is a First World War British military cemetery located roughly 7.5 km west of Ypres (Ieper) town centre, on the Sint Pietersstraat road leading toward Poperinge, within the municipality of Elverdinge in Belgium. Its name comes from a nearby military supply dump, next to which both the cemetery and the adjacent Hagle Farm Camp once stood. When was the cemetery established? The burial ground was started on 27 April 1918, during the Battles of the Lys — one of the final major German offensives on the Western Front. That same day, a nearby ammunition dump exploded, killing twenty-three men whose graves now lie together in Plot I, Rows C and D. This tragic incident was the direct reason the cemetery came into existence at this particular spot. How long was it used? The cemetery served fighting units and field ambulances until October 1918, covering the final stretch of fighting in this sector. After the Armistice in November 1918, the cemetery was substantially enlarged: more than 200 graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields of the Ypres Salient and placed in Plots III and IV. How many graves does it contain? Hagle Dump Cemetery now holds 437 Commonwealth burials from the First World War, of which 139 remain unidentified — a sadly common outcome for many soldiers who fell in the Flanders battlefields. The cemetery also once held the graves of 26 American soldiers, killed between July and September 1918, along with two French soldiers; these were later moved to other burial grounds, which is why they no longer appear among the current burials. Who designed the cemetery? The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, one of the principal architects appointed by the Imperial War Graves Commission (today's Commonwealth War Graves Commission) to design war cemeteries after the First World War. Blomfield is also credited with creating the Cross of Sacrifice, the recognisable monument found at the majority of British war cemeteries worldwide. Architect Arthur Hutton assisted him on the project. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the cemetery located? In Elverdinge, part of the municipality of Ieper (Ypres), along the road toward Poperinge, in the West Flanders province of Belgium. Why is it called a "Dump" cemetery? The name refers to a nearby military supply dump, next to which the burial ground and an adjoining army camp were originally set up. Is it one of the larger cemeteries in the Ypres area? With 437 burials, it ranks as a medium-sized cemetery compared to the largest Ypres Salient cemeteries such as Tyne Cot, but its history — from the tragic ammunition dump explosion to the post-war concentration of graves from the battlefields — makes it a significant place of remembrance. Can visitors come to the cemetery? Yes, like most cemeteries maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, it is freely accessible to visitors throughout the year.
-
Hospital Farm Cemetery
Ypres
Hospital Farm Cemetery is a small First World War burial ground located roughly 6.5 km west of the centre of Ieper (Ypres), on the Hospitaalstraat, a road branching off the N308 that connects Ieper with Poperinge. The site lies within the area historically known as the Ypres Salient, one of the deadliest sectors of the Western Front. Where does the name come from? The cemetery takes its name from a nearby farm building that soldiers and medical staff referred to as "Hospital Farm." During the war this farm structure served as a dressing station — a forward medical post where wounded men were given initial treatment before being evacuated further behind the lines. Using existing rural buildings for this purpose was common practice, since even a modest farmhouse offered some shelter from shelling and allowed medics to work close to the fighting. When was it used? The ground was used for burials chiefly during two periods of the war: in 1915 and again in 1917. These were times of intense fighting involving infantry regiments and artillery batteries engaged in the defence of, and attacks around, Ypres. Because the dressing station stood so close by, men who succumbed to their wounds despite treatment were laid to rest right where they had received care, rather than being transported to a larger cemetery further from the front. How many burials does it hold? The cemetery contains 115 Commonwealth burials from the First World War, along with one Belgian war grave. This relatively small number sets it apart from the vast cemeteries elsewhere in the Ypres Salient, some of which hold tens of thousands of graves. Hospital Farm Cemetery instead reflects the more intimate, local scale typical of burial grounds established directly beside a single medical post rather than a large casualty clearing station. Who maintains the site today? The cemetery is cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the organisation responsible for the upkeep of headstones, grounds and records at all Commonwealth war cemeteries and memorials from both World Wars. As a result, more than a century after the fighting ended, the site remains well kept, dignified and open to visitors. Why is it worth a visit? Hospital Farm Cemetery is not among the most heavily visited stops on a Ypres Salient battlefield tour, which makes it a fitting choice for travellers seeking a quieter, more reflective experience away from the crowds at the larger cemeteries closer to Ieper itself. Visiting a site of this scale helps convey the sheer number of small medical posts that once dotted the Flanders front, each with its own adjoining burial ground, and each representing an individual chapter within the wider story of the Western Front. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is Hospital Farm Cemetery located? On the Hospitaalstraat, about 6.5 km west of central Ieper, just off the N308 road towards Poperinge. How many graves are at the cemetery? 115 Commonwealth war graves plus one Belgian war grave, 116 burials in total. Where does the cemetery's name come from? From a nearby farm whose buildings were used as a dressing station for wounded soldiers. In which years were most burials made? Mainly in 1915 and 1917, during periods of heavy fighting around Ypres. Who manages the cemetery today? The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which oversees all Commonwealth war cemeteries.
-
Bleuet Farm Cemetery
Ypres
Bleuet Farm Cemetery is a British war cemetery located north-west of Ypres (Ieper), on the N8 road towards Veurne, near the village of Elverdinge, roughly 3 kilometres from the town centre. The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and is one of many such sites scattered around the Ypres Salient, bearing witness to the intensity of fighting on this front during both world wars. Where does the name come from and what is the site's history? The cemetery takes its name from the nearby Bleuet Farm, which served as a dressing station during the 1917 Allied offensive on this front. Wounded soldiers evacuated directly from the front line were brought here before being moved further back for treatment. The cemetery was begun in a corner of the farm and was used from June to December 1917, although some burials date from later. After the Armistice, two additional graves were brought in from isolated positions nearby, where soldiers had originally been buried where they fell. How many people are buried here? Bleuet Farm Cemetery now contains 442 First World War burials and nine from the Second World War. The latter date from May 1940, connected to the Allied retreat towards Dunkirk during the Battle of France. The presence of graves from both conflicts means the cemetery documents two separate wartime episodes, more than two decades apart, that unfolded on the same patch of ground in West Flanders. Who designed the cemetery? The cemetery was designed by Captain Wilfred Clement Von Berg, M.C. Like most CWGC cemeteries in the region, Bleuet Farm Cemetery follows an orderly layout of white headstones arranged in rows, set within carefully maintained lawns and planting, creating the quiet, contemplative atmosphere typical of war cemeteries designed after the First World War to honour the fallen with dignity. Is the cemetery open to visitors? Yes, the cemetery is open to the public, and wheelchair access is possible via the main entrance. Like the vast majority of CWGC sites, it is accessible year-round, free of charge, and does not require advance booking. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is Bleuet Farm Cemetery located? North-west of Ieper, on the N8 road towards Veurne, near the village of Elverdinge, about 3 km from the centre of Ieper. From which period do the burials date? Most graves date from June to December 1917 (First World War), with an additional nine graves connected to the retreat to Dunkirk in May 1940. How many graves does the cemetery contain? A total of 451 graves — 442 from the First World War and 9 from the Second World War. Who maintains the cemetery? The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the organisation responsible for maintaining British and Commonwealth war cemeteries around the world.
-
The Huts Cemetery
Ypres
The Huts Cemetery is a British First World War cemetery located in Dikkebus (formerly Dickebusch), roughly 6 kilometres southwest of Ieper's town centre in the West Flanders province of Belgium. Set along Steenakkerstraat in a quiet rural setting away from the busier stretches of the Ypres Salient, it offers visitors a calmer, more contemplative atmosphere than some of the region's larger burial grounds. Where does the name come from? The cemetery takes its name from a line of wooden huts that once stood along the road connecting Dickebusch to Brandhoek. These huts served as field ambulance posts during the 1917 Allied offensive on this front, better known as the Third Battle of Ypres, or Passchendaele. Soldiers who died at or near these medical posts were buried nearby, giving rise to the cemetery. When was it in use? Burials at The Huts Cemetery began in July 1917. Plots I to X and XII to XIV were filled progressively between July and November of that year, during the height of the fighting around Passchendaele. The cemetery was closed in April 1918, when the German spring offensive — the Battle of the Lys — pushed the front line close enough to make further burials impractical. How many soldiers are buried here? The cemetery holds 1,094 Commonwealth war graves from the First World War, of which 6 remain unidentified. A distinctive feature of this site is that nearly two-thirds of those buried were gunners, reflecting the concentration of artillery positions in the surrounding area, which supported the 1917 offensive. Who else is buried at The Huts Cemetery? Among the graves is that of Brigadier-General C. G. Rawling, who commanded the 62nd Infantry Brigade of the 21st Division, buried in grave XII.C.20. His presence alongside ordinary soldiers is a reminder of how close to the front line mid-level commanders often operated during the Flanders campaigns. Who designed the cemetery? The Huts Cemetery was designed by Edwin Lutyens, one of the principal architects responsible for Commonwealth war cemeteries and memorials from the First World War. His characteristic style — restrained, symmetrical, and dignified — is reflected in the layout of headstones and stonework here. Can visitors access the cemetery? Yes, The Huts Cemetery is open to the public year-round, and wheelchair access is available through the main entrance. The site is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which oversees the upkeep of the headstones and surrounding grounds. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the cemetery located? On Steenakkerstraat in Dikkebus, about 6 kilometres from central Ieper. How many graves does it contain? 1,094, including 6 unidentified soldiers. When were the burials made? Between July and November 1917, with the cemetery closing in April 1918. Is it worth visiting beyond central Ypres Salient sites? Yes — being less visited than the larger, more central cemeteries, it offers a quieter setting for reflecting on the scale of losses suffered in this part of Flanders.
-
Dickebusch New Military Cemetery
Ypres
Dickebusch New Military Cemetery and Extension is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) burial ground for the dead of the First World War, located in the Ypres Salient on the Western Front in Belgium, near the village of Dikkebus (French: Dickebusch) just southwest of Ypres. Where exactly is it located? The cemetery sits at coordinates 50.81829, 2.83277, in the countryside surrounding Ypres to the southwest. This area, known to military historians as the Ypres Salient, was one of the most fiercely contested and costly sectors of the entire Western Front for almost the whole duration of the First World War. Ypres itself, along with surrounding villages such as Dikkebus, sat at the heart of repeated offensives and counter-offensives fought between Entente forces and the German Empire. What does "New Cemetery and Extension" mean? The name indicates that the burial ground began as a new military cemetery, to which an extension was later added — a common pattern for cemeteries established close to dressing stations and casualty evacuation routes during the years-long fighting around Ypres. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the organisation responsible for maintaining the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who died in both World Wars, oversees hundreds of such sites across Flanders, many of them clustered tightly around Ypres itself. Why does the Ypres Salient have so many war cemeteries? The region around Ypres became emblematic of an exceptionally long and attritional campaign: successive battles for the town were fought here, and the front line in this sector barely moved for years despite enormous losses on both sides. One consequence of this static, positional warfare is the sheer density of war cemeteries within a small radius of the town — ranging from large necropolises to small, intimate burial grounds established directly behind the front line or near medical posts, a category that includes the cemetery at Dickebusch. What should visitors know before going? CWGC cemeteries, including Dickebusch New Military Cemetery, share a recognisable, uniform layout: rows of white headstones, carefully tended lawns and planting, and a quiet, contemplative atmosphere regardless of the site's size. These cemeteries are open to the public year-round and form part of the broader First World War remembrance trail across West Flanders, which also takes in nearby Ypres with its Menin Gate and the In Flanders Fields Museum. Frequently asked questions Is there an entrance fee? No — cemeteries maintained by the CWGC are open to the public free of charge. How do you get to Dickebusch New Military Cemetery? The cemetery lies near the village of Dikkebus, southwest of Ypres town centre, reachable via local roads and cycling routes that connect the region's many war remembrance sites. Is this the only war cemetery in the area? No — the countryside around Ypres, including the Dikkebus area, has one of the highest concentrations of First World War cemeteries anywhere in Europe, a direct result of the prolonged fighting in the Ypres Salient. Who maintains the cemetery? The site is cared for on an ongoing basis by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is responsible for the graves of Commonwealth service personnel around the world.
-
New Irish Farm Cemetery
Ypres
New Irish Farm Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery located north of Ypres (Ieper), Belgium, commemorating servicemen who died during the First World War. The cemetery takes its name from a nearby farm that troops called "Irish Farm" — the burial ground sits roughly 300 metres north of the farm, at a crossroads once known as Hammond's Corner. When was the cemetery established? The site was first used for burials from August to November 1917, and again in April and May 1918, during fighting on this section of the Western Front around Ypres. At the time of the Armistice in November 1918, the cemetery held only 73 burials, arranged in three irregular rows that make up what is now known as Plot I. Why did the cemetery grow so much larger? After the war, New Irish Farm Cemetery was substantially enlarged. More than 4,500 graves were brought in from the battlefields north-east of Ypres and from numerous smaller, scattered cemeteries in the surrounding area. This process of grave concentration was common practice in the Flanders region after the war, as many temporary wartime burial sites were consolidated into larger, permanent cemeteries maintained long-term. How many people are buried here? Today, New Irish Farm Cemetery holds the graves of, or commemorates, 4,715 Commonwealth servicemen from the First World War. Of these, 1,449 have been identified by name, while 3,267 burials remain unidentified. Special memorials mark the graves of four casualties believed to be buried among the unidentified. Further special memorials record the names of 30 casualties originally buried in four other cemeteries that were concentrated into New Irish Farm, whose graves were destroyed by shellfire during the war. Who designed the cemetery? The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, one of the principal architects employed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to design war cemeteries across Flanders and northern France after the First World War. His characteristic design elements — symmetrical rows of headstones, a stone Cross of Sacrifice, and carefully planned planting — can be recognised at other CWGC cemeteries throughout the region as well. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the cemetery located? New Irish Farm Cemetery lies north of the town of Ypres (Ieper) in the West Flanders province of Belgium, near a site formerly known as Hammond's Corner. Is the cemetery open to visitors? Yes, like most CWGC cemeteries in Flanders, New Irish Farm Cemetery is open to the public and forms part of the remembrance trail associated with the Battles of Ypres. Why do so many burials remain unidentified? The intensity of the fighting around Ypres, repeated shifts in the front line, and destruction caused by artillery bombardment meant that many casualties could not be identified during postwar exhumation and grave concentration.
-
Solferino Farm Cemetery
Ypres
Solferino Farm Cemetery is a small war cemetery lying north-west of Ypres, close to the village of Brielen in West Flanders. It is one of hundreds of similar cemeteries scattered across the Ypres Salient, each a quiet marker of the scale of fighting that took place here during the First World War. Where does the name come from? The name comes from the nearby Solferino Farm, so named by French troops who held this part of the line in early 1915. The name itself recalls the Battle of Solferino, fought on 24 June 1859 during the Second Italian War of Independence, when French forces allied with Piedmontese troops fought against Austria. The cemetery was established opposite the site of the farm. When was it founded, and who is buried here? The cemetery was begun in October 1917 and was used by units fighting in this sector of the front until August 1918. It now contains 296 Commonwealth burials from the First World War. Among those buried here, around a hundred served in artillery units, twenty-one belonged to Royal Engineer units, and twenty-four came from Royal Army Service Corps labour battalions. This mix reflects the nature of the fighting in the area, where artillery support and logistics work behind the lines played a decisive role. The cemetery also holds a small plot of three German war graves from the same conflict. The presence of graves from both sides is not unusual in the Ypres area — after the fighting ended, bodies were often gathered from nearby battlefields regardless of which side the soldiers had fought for. Traces of the Second World War Alongside the First World War graves, the cemetery contains five burials from the Second World War. These date from May 1940, from the period of the Allied retreat toward Dunkirk — the episode that preceded the famous evacuation from the French coast. Who designed the cemetery? Solferino Farm Cemetery was designed by Reginald Blomfield, one of the principal architects who worked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on cemeteries across Flanders and northern France. His approach — a simple, symmetrical layout of headstones, a central Cross of Sacrifice, and carefully maintained lawns — is a recognisable feature of many war cemeteries in the region. How to get there The cemetery sits close to the village of Brielen, a short distance from the centre of Ypres, making it an easy stop when visiting the wider network of memorial sites connected to the Ypres Salient. The site offers wheelchair access, though an alternative entrance may be needed in places. Why visit? Smaller and less visited than some of the larger cemeteries nearby, Solferino Farm Cemetery offers a clear window into the daily grind of trench warfare around Ypres — the artillery crews, engineers, and support units who kept the front line functioning for nearly a year. It is a calm, modest place of remembrance, well suited to visitors looking to step away from the busier memorial trails in the region. Frequently asked questions How many people are buried at Solferino Farm Cemetery? The cemetery holds 296 Commonwealth burials from the First World War, five from the Second World War, and three German war graves. Where does the cemetery's name come from? It takes its name from the nearby Solferino Farm, named by French soldiers after the 1859 Battle of Solferino. Who designed the cemetery? The cemetery was designed by architect Reginald Blomfield, who worked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Is the cemetery wheelchair accessible? Yes, though visitors may need to use an alternative entrance in some cases.
-
Divisional Collecting Post Cemetery and Extension
Ypres
Divisional Collecting Post Cemetery and Extension is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) burial ground located just outside Ypres, Belgium, on ground that once formed part of the Western Front during the First World War. Its name reflects the site's original function as a collecting post, where the bodies of soldiers killed in the surrounding front-line sectors were gathered before burial. How did the cemetery come about? The cemetery was started by field ambulances of the 48th (South Midland) and 58th (London) Divisions in August 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres, better known as Passchendaele. It was used to bury men who died of wounds at nearby dressing stations, as well as soldiers killed in the fighting close by. Burials continued until January 1918, and by the time of the Armistice in November 1918 the cemetery held 86 graves. Why did the site grow so much larger after the war? The cemetery's present size is largely the result of post-war work. Between 1924 and 1926, the Commission concentrated graves from smaller, scattered burial grounds and isolated battlefield graves found across the former Ypres battlefields into this site. This expansion is known as the "Extension," and today it forms a single, unified cemetery together with the original plot. For many years the cemetery and its extension were recorded as two separate sites for administrative purposes; their records were only merged into one in 2001. Who is buried here? The cemetery now contains 765 burials in total. The great majority are soldiers from the United Kingdom (581), alongside servicemen from Australia (102), Canada (75), New Zealand (5) and South Africa (1). There is also a single German burial, a reminder that the front line in this sector shifted back and forth repeatedly during the war, leaving behind casualties from more than one side. Who designed the cemetery? The layout of the cemetery and its extension was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, one of the three principal architects appointed by the Imperial War Graves Commission (the forerunner of today's CWGC) to design war cemeteries across France and Belgium. Blomfield is also known as the designer of the Cross of Sacrifice, the stone cross found at the majority of CWGC cemeteries dating from the First World War. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the cemetery located? It lies immediately outside Ypres, in the province of West Flanders, on ground that was part of the battlefield during the Third Battle of Ypres. Is this one cemetery or two? Formally it consists of two combined burial grounds — the original cemetery and its post-war extension — which have been administered as a single site since 2001. From which period do the burials date? Most of the original graves date from fighting between August 1917 and January 1918, while the extension resulted from the concentration of graves carried out between 1924 and 1926. Can visitors access the site? Yes, like most CWGC cemeteries in the Ypres area, it is open to visitors throughout the year.
-
Dragoon Camp Cemetery
Ypres
Dragoon Camp Cemetery is a small First World War burial ground near Ypres (Ieper) in West Flanders, Belgium, located on Kleinepoezelstraat to the east of the village, in an area that a century ago lay just south of the road connecting Boesinghe to Pilckem. Where does the name come from? The cemetery takes its name from a nearby military encampment known as Dragoon Camp, reached by a track that led from a point near Dragoon House, passing the Villa Gretchen along the way. In fact, the burial ground was originally known by the name of that villa — the first graves here were recorded as the Villa Gretchen Cemetery. When was the cemetery established? The ground was captured on 31 July 1917 by the 38th (Welsh) Division, which took part in the British summer offensive in Flanders that year. Just over a week later, on 9 August 1917, soldiers of the 13th Royal Welch Fusiliers began burying their fallen comrades on this spot, marking the formal start of the cemetery. What role did this site play during the war? Three Casualty Clearing Stations — the 4th, 47th and 61st — operated in the immediate vicinity, treating men wounded during the 1917 summer offensive that became known as the Third Battle of Ypres, or the Battle of Passchendaele. That campaign, fought across churned, waterlogged ground, is remembered as one of the costliest and most gruelling of the entire war, and the presence of these clearing stations meant a steady flow of casualties requiring burial close to where they died of their wounds. How long was the cemetery in use? Burials continued here without interruption from August 1917 until early 1918. In total, 66 First World War servicemen were laid to rest at Dragoon Camp Cemetery, ten of whom could not be identified and are buried as unknown soldiers. Is the cemetery still maintained today? Despite its modest size, Dragoon Camp Cemetery remains under the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the body responsible for commemorating and maintaining the graves of Commonwealth service personnel who died in both world wars. It is one of many small burial grounds scattered around Ypres, a town that found itself at the very centre of the fighting throughout the war, defended within the famous Ypres Salient — a bulge in the front line held by Allied forces for the war's duration. Why is this place worth visiting? Though small and far less visited than the larger cemeteries of the region, Dragoon Camp Cemetery offers an authentic glimpse into the realities of trench warfare during the summer and autumn of 1917. Its close connection to the nearby casualty clearing stations helps visitors picture the logistics of treating and burying the wounded evacuated from the front lines. For travellers following the network of smaller, more intimate CWGC cemeteries around the Ypres Salient, it is a meaningful stop that illustrates just how densely the countryside around the town was marked by burial grounds during the Third Battle of Ypres. Frequently asked questions How many people are buried at Dragoon Camp Cemetery? The cemetery holds 66 First World War burials, including 10 unidentified soldiers. Who established the cemetery? It was established on 9 August 1917 by soldiers of the 13th Royal Welch Fusiliers, part of the 38th (Welsh) Division. Which battle is this cemetery associated with? The Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, fought in the summer and autumn of 1917. Where exactly is the cemetery located? On Kleinepoezelstraat, east of the village, near the former Boesinghe-Pilckem road.
-
Talana Farm Cemetery
Ypres
Talana Farm Cemetery is a British First World War cemetery located near Ypres, in the commune of Boezinge on the western bank of the Yser Canal. The site sat barely a kilometre from the edge of the Ypres Salient, with German lines running along the eastern side of the canal for most of the war. Where does the name come from? The cemetery takes its name from nearby farm buildings that British troops named after the Battle of Talana Hill, fought in October 1899 during the Second Boer War in South Africa. Naming farms and landmarks along the front after earlier military campaigns was a common practice among British units operating in this sector. When was the cemetery established? The cemetery was begun by French troops in April 1915. It was taken over in June of the same year by the 1st Rifle Brigade and the 1st Somerset Light Infantry, and continued to be used by fighting units right through to March 1918 — spanning almost the entire period of heaviest fighting around Ypres. Who is buried here? The cemetery now contains 529 Commonwealth burials and commemorations from the First World War. Plots III and IV hold numerous graves of soldiers from the 49th (West Riding) Division, along with graves of artillery units that took over this section of the front in August 1917. Fourteen of the burials remain unidentified, and special memorials commemorate six casualties whose graves within the cemetery could not be individually located. A further ten men, buried together in Plot I, Row E, are identified only as a group rather than individually. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes it is probable that the cemetery once held additional graves that were later destroyed by shellfire. Who designed the cemetery? The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, one of the principal architects commissioned by the Imperial War Graves Commission and the designer of the Cross of Sacrifice found across war cemeteries throughout Europe. In his memoirs, Blomfield explained that in designing the cross he aimed to make it "as abstract and impersonal" as possible, free from association with any particular architectural style. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is Talana Farm Cemetery located? The cemetery lies in the commune of Boezinge, on the western bank of the Yser Canal, close to the city of Ypres in the Belgian province of West Flanders. What period of the war do the burials cover? The burials span from April 1915 to March 1918, covering almost the entire course of the fighting for the Ypres Salient, including the Third Battle of Ypres. How many people are commemorated at the cemetery? 529 Commonwealth servicemen are buried or commemorated here, though a number of the burials remain unidentified. Can visitors access the cemetery? Yes. Like most sites maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Talana Farm Cemetery is freely open to the public and forms part of the wider battlefield remembrance trail around Ypres in Flanders.
-
Colne Valley Cemetery
Ypres
Colne Valley Cemetery is a small First World War burial ground east of the village of Boezinge (formerly Boesinghe), north of Ieper in West Flanders. It sits on Kleinepoezelstraat, in an area that for most of the war directly faced the German front line across no man's land. Where does the name come from? The name has nothing to do with Belgium — it comes from the Colne Valley in Yorkshire, England. Territorial battalions of the West Riding Regiment, part of the 49th Division, were largely recruited from the Huddersfield and Colne Valley area, and soldiers gave the surrounding trenches names from home. That's why nearby positions were also called Skipton Road and Huddersfield Road. The cemetery itself was laid out a short distance south of an observation point known as Caesar's Nose. When was it established, and who is buried here? The cemetery was begun in July 1915 and remained in use until February 1916 — a relatively short but intense period of trench warfare on this stretch of the Ypres Salient. It contains 47 First World War burials, 30 of them officers and men of the West Riding Regiment. The remaining graves belong to soldiers from other units who fought in the same sector during that period. Why did the site need rescuing? Colne Valley Cemetery sits at one of the lowest points in this part of Flanders, which for decades meant recurring flooding. The problem became severe enough that in 2005 the rear boundary wall and a brick tool shed collapsed. At times the ground was completely submerged, cutting the cemetery off from visitors entirely. In 2014, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, working with the Province of West Flanders and the City of Ypres, carried out a major restoration: every above-ground structure was dismantled down to its foundations, and the ground level was raised by an average of around 1.2 metres to solve the drainage problem for good. What is it like to visit today? Following the restoration, wheelchair access is available through the main entrance. To reach the cemetery, turn off the N369 into Brugstraat, cross the bridge, bear right into Langemarkseweg, then turn right into Kleinepoezelstraat and continue straight for about 500 metres. Why it's worth a stop Colne Valley Cemetery is one of the smaller, lesser-known burial grounds of the Ypres Salient, and its value lies precisely in that intimacy — a coherent group of soldiers from a single corner of Yorkshire, who fought and died on the same modest stretch of front line through the summer and autumn of 1915. Unlike vast sites such as Tyne Cot, it invites a slower, more personal kind of visit. The story of its twenty-first-century restoration — literally raising the cemetery above the waterline — is also a reminder of the ongoing effort needed to preserve places that the landscape itself has tried to reclaim. Frequently asked questions How many people are buried at Colne Valley Cemetery? It contains 47 First World War graves, most belonging to soldiers of the West Riding Regiment. Where does the cemetery's name come from? From the Colne Valley in Yorkshire, England, home to the territorial battalions that fought in this sector. Is the cemetery wheelchair accessible? Yes, the main entrance provides wheelchair access. Why was the cemetery restored in 2014? Because of persistent flooding — the ground was raised by roughly 1.2 metres after part of the boundary wall and a tool shed collapsed in 2005.
-
No Man's Cot Cemetery
Ypres
No Man's Cot Cemetery is a small Commonwealth war cemetery on the outskirts of Ypres, near the village of Boezinge (formerly spelled Boesinghe) in the Belgian province of West Flanders. Tucked away from the busier memorial circuits around Ypres, it's one of the quieter, less-visited stops on the region's First World War heritage trail. Where does the unusual name come from? The cemetery takes its name from a building that once stood on the south side of Admiral's Road, roughly halfway along the route between Boesinghe and Wielje. Soldiers referred to this building as "No Man's Cot," and the name stuck — first to the surrounding battlefield, then to the burial ground itself. Today it remains the official designation used by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which maintains the site. What happened here during the war? For most of the First World War, the eastern edge of Boesinghe sat directly opposite the German front line, with the fighting running close along the Ypres-Yser canal. The ground around No Man's Cot saw years of static trench warfare, artillery bombardment and patrol actions typical of this stretch of the front. Burials at the cemetery began at the end of July 1917 and continued until March 1918 — a period that coincided with major Allied offensives around Ypres, including the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as Passchendaele. Most of the men buried here died during the fighting for control of the ground north of the city in those months. Who is buried at No Man's Cot Cemetery? The cemetery holds 79 First World War burials. More than half of them are officers and men of the 51st (Highland) Division, a Scottish formation that suffered heavy losses in the fighting across this part of Flanders in 1917. The concentration of graves from a single division gives the site particular significance for descendants of Scottish soldiers and for those researching the division's wartime record. What does the cemetery look like today? The cemetery's layout was designed by W. H. Cowlishaw, an architect who worked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on several of the smaller cemeteries scattered across Flanders. Like most CWGC sites in the area, No Man's Cot Cemetery follows a restrained, orderly design: uniform white headstones set in mown grass with modest planting, without the large-scale memorial structures found at bigger sites such as Tyne Cot. Why visit this cemetery? Because it sits away from the main tourist routes, No Man's Cot Cemetery tends to attract visitors with a specific interest — those tracing the history of a particular regiment or unit, or travelers looking for a quieter setting to reflect on the scale of losses suffered during the First World War. It makes a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring the area around Boezinge and the Ypres-Yser canal, offering a smaller but carefully maintained counterpart to the region's larger, more famous cemeteries. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the cemetery located? On the outskirts of Ypres, near the village of Boezinge, along the former Admiral's Road that ran between Boesinghe and Wielje. How many people are buried here? 79 First World War casualties, buried between the end of July 1917 and March 1918. Why are most of the graves from the 51st (Highland) Division? The division fought heavily in this sector during the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917 and suffered significant losses there. Who designed the cemetery? Architect W. H. Cowlishaw, who worked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on several Flanders cemeteries.
-
Wulvergem Churchyard
Wulvergem
Wulvergem Churchyard is a small First World War cemetery beside the village church of Wulvergem, in the municipality of Heuvelland, West Flanders, roughly 13 km south of Ypres town centre. It sits directly on the Dorpstraat, next to the parish church, and is one of many Commonwealth War Graves Commission sites scattered across the former Western Front battlefields of the Ypres Salient area. What is this cemetery? Wulvergem Churchyard was used for burials by fighting units operating in the sector between November 1914 and April 1915, a period when the front around Ypres was still settling into the trench lines that would define the rest of the war. Villages such as Wulvergem lay close to the fighting that stretched along the road network connecting Ypres, Wijtschate, Mesen and Armentières. How many burials are here? The churchyard holds 38 Commonwealth burials and commemorations from the First World War. Six of the graves are unidentified, and 23 graves destroyed by shellfire during the war are now marked with special memorials rather than individual headstones — a solution the CWGC applies where the exact burial spot could no longer be pinpointed after the fighting ended. What happened to Wulvergem during the war? The village changed hands more than once during the conflict. From 14 April 1918, during the German spring offensive, Wulvergem fell under German occupation. It was not retaken until 2 September 1918, when the 30th Division entered the village. The church next to which the cemetery lies was ruined during the fighting and rebuilt in 1925, after the war had ended. How do you get there, and is it accessible? The churchyard is located on a road leading from the Rijselseweg (N365), which connects Ypres to Wijtschate, Mesen and Armentières, immediately next to the village church on Dorpstraat. Wheelchair access to the site is possible, though visitors may need to use an alternative entrance in places. Frequently asked questions Is this a large war cemetery? No — with 38 burials, Wulvergem Churchyard is one of the smaller CWGC sites in the Ypres area, especially compared with vast cemeteries such as Tyne Cot, which hold thousands of graves. When was the cemetery established? Burials began in November 1914 and continued until April 1915, during the period when the front line around Ypres was stabilising. Why do some graves have special memorials instead of headstones? 23 graves were destroyed by artillery fire during the war to the point where their exact location could no longer be confirmed afterwards. In such cases, the CWGC installs special memorials to commemorate the fallen even without a precisely marked grave. Is it worth combining a visit with other memorial sites in the area? Yes — the churchyard lies along the route connecting Ypres to Mesen and Armentières, close to other First World War CWGC cemeteries scattered across West Flanders.
-
Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery
Wulvergem
Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery is a British war cemetery in the Belgian municipality of Wulvergem (Heuvelland, West Flanders), established in December 1914. It lies along what was once the road connecting Wulvergem to Lindenhoek, in an area that during the First World War was one of the most contested stretches of the Flanders front, close to the fighting around Messines and Kemmel Hill. How did the cemetery start and who is buried here? The cemetery was begun by four battalions of the 5th Division and was first known as Wulverghem Dressing Station Cemetery, named after the medical aid post around which it grew. Soldiers who died of wounds sustained at nearby front-line positions were buried here. The site was used from December 1914 until June 1917, and again in September and October 1918, during the war's final stages. By the Armistice in November 1918, the cemetery held 162 graves — today known as Plot I, the oldest section of the burial ground. Why does the cemetery hold so many more graves today? After the war, remains were brought in from smaller, scattered battlefield cemeteries and isolated graves in the surrounding area. Among the burial grounds consolidated here were Auckland Cemetery near Messines, which held the graves of twelve New Zealand soldiers; the neighbouring Cornwall Cemetery, with 21 graves of soldiers from the United Kingdom; Frenchman's Farm, north of Wulvergem, where soldiers who fell in 1914-15 were buried, including one French soldier; and Neuve-Eglise North Cemetery, on the road to Lindenhoek, containing the graves of soldiers who died in early September 1918. These consolidations significantly expanded the cemetery beyond its original size. How many war dead are commemorated here today? Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery now commemorates a total of 1,010 Commonwealth servicemen who died during the First World War. The site remains under the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the organisation responsible for maintaining Commonwealth war graves worldwide. Has the cemetery undergone recent restoration? Yes. Between September 2024 and March 2025, essential restoration works were carried out to address stability issues and natural weathering that had damaged the cemetery's boundary walls. Funded by the Flemish Government, the works included reinforcing the foundations and rebuilding the surrounding walls. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the cemetery located? Along the former road linking Wulvergem to Lindenhoek, in the municipality of Heuvelland in West Flanders, near the coordinates 50.76364, 2.84372. Who were the soldiers buried here? Mostly British soldiers, along with New Zealand troops and one French soldier, who died fighting in the Flanders sector between 1914 and 1918. Who maintains the cemetery today? The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, with recent restoration works funded by the Flemish Government. Is the site open to visitors? Yes, like most CWGC cemeteries in Flanders, it is publicly accessible and forms part of the First World War remembrance trail through the Heuvelland region.
-
Packhorse Farm Shrine Cemetery
Wulvergem
Packhorse Farm Shrine Cemetery is a small First World War cemetery located in Wulvergem, part of the municipality of Heuvelland, roughly 9.5 km southwest of Ieper town centre. It sits along a road running from Kemmelseweg (N331), which connects Ieper to Kemmel and onward to Nieuwkerke — specifically 250 metres along Lindestraat, on the right-hand side of the road. Where does the name come from? The cemetery takes its name from Packhorse Farm, a farm that once stood on the east side of the most direct road linking Lindenhoek and Wulverghem (today's Wulvergem). A short distance south of the farm stood a wayside shrine, which was later rebuilt closer to the farm itself. The combination of the farm and the nearby shrine gave the cemetery its distinctive two-part name. The cemetery's history The cemetery was established by the 46th (North Midland) Division, a British territorial formation that occupied this sector of the front in the early summer of 1915. It was one of two cemeteries created by this division in the area. Packhorse Farm Shrine Cemetery was in use for only a brief period — from April to June 1915 — which makes it relatively small compared to larger Western Front cemeteries that remained active throughout the entire war. The area around Wulvergem played a notable role in the fighting along this stretch of the Flanders front. The village itself, then recorded as Wulverghem, was the site of a German gas attack on the night of 29–30 April 1916. The attack was repulsed by the British 3rd and 24th Divisions, illustrating how intense the fighting in this area remained for years after the cemetery itself had stopped receiving new burials. Who designed the cemetery? The cemetery was designed by W. H. Cowlishaw, an architect who worked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on the layout and design of war cemeteries across Flanders. Cowlishaw was responsible for the spatial arrangement and the quiet, restrained character typical of smaller CWGC cemeteries — rows of white headstones set within neatly maintained lawns, framed by modest architectural features. How many burials are there? The cemetery contains 59 First World War burials. This is a figure typical of smaller battlefield cemeteries established directly by military units near the front line, in contrast to the large concentration cemeteries created after the war through the exhumation and reburial of casualties from numerous smaller burial sites. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the cemetery located? In Wulvergem, in the municipality of Heuvelland in the province of West Flanders, along Lindestraat, near the Kemmelseweg (N331) road connecting Ieper and Kemmel. When was the cemetery established? It was founded and used between April and June 1915 by the 46th (North Midland) Division. How many graves does the cemetery contain? The cemetery holds 59 First World War burials. Who designed the cemetery? The design was the work of W. H. Cowlishaw, working with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Did other significant wartime events occur nearby? Yes — on the night of 29–30 April 1916, a German gas attack took place near Wulverghem and was repulsed by the British 3rd and 24th Divisions.
-
Pond Farm Cemetery
Wulvergem
Pond Farm Cemetery is a small Commonwealth war cemetery set among farmland near the village of Wulvergem, southwest of Ypres in Belgium's West Flanders province. It stands as a quiet marker of the fighting that took place along this stretch of the Western Front during the First World War. Where does the name come from and what happened here? The cemetery takes its name from a nearby farm that once had a pond on its grounds — it was in this spot that soldiers began burying their fallen comrades. The Wulvergem area saw heavy fighting for much of the war. On the night of 29–30 April 1916, the village was the target of a German gas attack, which was repelled by the British 3rd and 24th Divisions. Later, on 14 April 1918, Wulvergem fell to German forces during their spring offensive, before being retaken by the 30th Division on 2 September of the same year. When was the cemetery established, and who is buried here? The cemetery was started in July 1916 by the 3rd Rifle Brigade and the 8th Battalion, the Buffs (East Kent Regiment). It continued to be used by fighting units and field ambulances until October 1917, with further burials added in April and September 1918, during the war's final phase. Today, Pond Farm Cemetery holds the graves of, or commemorates, 296 Commonwealth servicemen from the First World War. Among them are special memorials to three soldiers of the 1st/7th Cheshires, buried here in early September 1918, whose exact graves could not be located after the war. The cemetery also contains five German war graves, a reminder that burial grounds from this period sometimes held soldiers from both sides of the front in close proximity. Who designed the cemetery? Pond Farm Cemetery was designed by Charles Holden, a British architect best remembered today for his London Underground station designs from the 1920s and 1930s. Between 1920 and 1928, Holden designed more than sixty war cemeteries and two memorials in Belgium and northern France on behalf of the Imperial War Graves Commission. His work is marked by a restrained, dignified aesthetic that is evident here too — clean lines of headstones set within a modest but carefully composed layout. How do you get there, and what should visitors expect? The cemetery sits among open fields, away from major roads, which gives it an unusually calm and secluded atmosphere. Access is via a roughly 400-metre grassed path that is not suitable for vehicles, so visitors should plan to walk in from the nearest point reachable by car. Wheelchair access is possible through the main entrance. Given the surrounding farmland, sturdy footwear is advisable, particularly in wetter months. Why is it worth visiting? Though small and less known than the larger cemeteries closer to Ypres, Pond Farm Cemetery offers an authentic, intimate encounter with First World War remembrance. Its farmland setting restores a sense of the historical context — this is the kind of terrain over which the fighting actually took place, its traces now marked by rows of white headstones. It is particularly worth seeking out for visitors interested in the military history of Flanders who want an alternative to the more heavily visited cemeteries along the main Ypres tourist routes. Frequently asked questions Is the cemetery open to the public? Yes, like most CWGC cemeteries, Pond Farm Cemetery is open to visitors free of charge. Can you drive right up to it? Not directly — the final stretch is a grassed footpath, so cars must be left at the nearest accessible point. How many people are buried here? 296 Commonwealth servicemen, along with five German soldiers.
-
RE Farm Cemetery
Wijtschate
R.E. Farm Cemetery is a small Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) burial ground located near Wijtschate, Belgium, within the area historically known as the Ypres Salient on the First World War Western Front. It holds the graves of soldiers who fell during fighting in this part of Flanders. Where does the cemetery's name come from? The name "R.E. Farm" was the military designation given to a local farmstead otherwise known as Ferme des douze Bonniers. During the war, army units frequently assigned simplified English names to farms and landmarks so troops could reference them easily on trench maps, and this practice is how the cemetery came to carry its current name. How did the cemetery come into being? The site's history begins in December 1914, when the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment started a burial ground (designated Cemetery No.1) on the eastern side of the farm. It was used by fighting units as well as field ambulance personnel until April 1916, with occasional further burials in 1917. A month later, in January 1915, the same battalion opened a second cemetery (No.2) on the western side of the farm. This second site saw far less use than the first. After the Armistice, the 23 graves it contained were exhumed and moved into Cemetery No.1, which then took on the name it carries today, R.E. Farm Cemetery. Why did this stretch of front line matter? The village of Wytschaete, today's Wijtschate, changed hands repeatedly during the war. It remained under Allied control until 1 November 1914, was back in Allied hands from June 1917 until April 1918, and was finally retaken by Allied forces from 28 September 1918 through to the end of the war. The R.E. Farm building itself stayed under Allied control until April 1918, making it a notable strongpoint for units operating in this sector of the Ypres Salient. How many burials does the cemetery contain? R.E. Farm Cemetery contains 179 First World War burials in total, of which 11 remain unidentified. The majority of those buried here are British servicemen, 132 in number, alongside a substantial contingent of 47 Canadian soldiers, reflecting the involvement of different Commonwealth forces in the fighting along this section of the front. Who designed the cemetery? The cemetery's layout was designed by W.C. Von Berg, an architect who worked on several Commonwealth war cemeteries in the wider Ypres area. Like many CWGC sites in the region, R.E. Farm Cemetery has a quiet, orderly character typical of these places of remembrance, with rows of uniform headstones set within maintained lawns. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is R.E. Farm Cemetery located? The cemetery lies close to the village of Wijtschate, in the Belgian province of West Flanders, within the area historically known as the Ypres Salient. From which period do the burials date? All burials relate to the First World War, with the earliest graves dating back to December 1914. How many graves are there? The cemetery holds 179 war graves, including 11 unidentified soldiers. Was the cemetery always a single site? No. Two separate cemeteries originally existed on the same farm; the smaller one was closed after the war and its graves transferred into the larger site, which retained the name R.E. Farm Cemetery.
-
Cabin Hill Cemetery
Wijtschate
Cabin Hill Cemetery is a small First World War military cemetery located near the village of Wijtschate (formerly Wytschaete) in the municipality of Heuvelland, West Flanders. It sits roughly 8.5 km south of the centre of Ypres, just off the road running from Rijselseweg (N365) towards Wijtschate and on to Armentières. How did the cemetery come about? The cemetery was started by the 11th Division in June 1917, shortly after Commonwealth forces recaptured the surrounding ground during the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917. It continued to be used as a front-line burial ground until March 1918, when fighting in the area intensified again. The cemetery was designed by architect N. A. Rew. What happened in this area during the war? Wytschaete (today's Wijtschate) was one of the flashpoints of the Western Front. German forces took the village in early November 1914. It took nearly three years before Commonwealth troops recovered the ground, during the Battle of Messines in June 1917. That control did not last: on 16 April 1918 the Germans retook the village, and it was only finally recovered by Allied forces at the end of September that year. This repeated changing of hands explains why the surrounding countryside is dotted with many small front-line cemeteries, Cabin Hill among them. How many burials are there? The cemetery contains 67 First World War burials. Among the identified casualties, 42 came from the United Kingdom and 25 from Australia. Its scale is modest compared with the larger cemeteries around Ypres, giving the site a quieter, more intimate character. How do you get there? Passing through the village of Wijtschate, take a left turn onto a street called Langebunderstraat, which leads towards Torreken Farm Cemetery. After about 1.5 km you reach a crossroads; Cabin Hill Cemetery lies roughly 100 metres further on, after turning left. The final stretch is a narrow grassed access path unsuitable for vehicles, so the last part of the approach has to be made on foot. Why is it worth a visit? Like dozens of other small war cemeteries scattered across the countryside around Ypres and Messines, Cabin Hill Cemetery helps convey the scale and local character of First World War fighting — not a single vast cemetery, but a network of small burial grounds established close to the front line, often by individual divisions. For visitors exploring the Flanders Fields battlefield region, it offers a lesser-known but authentic stop along the trail of the Great War, just a few kilometres from the better-known memorial sites in Ypres and Messines. Frequently asked questions How many graves are at Cabin Hill Cemetery? The cemetery holds 67 First World War graves, mainly of soldiers from the United Kingdom and Australia. Who established the cemetery? It was established by the 11th Division in June 1917, after the surrounding ground was recaptured during the Battle of Messines. Can you drive directly up to the cemetery? No — the final stretch is a narrow grassed access path unsuitable for vehicles, so visitors need to walk the last part of the way. How far is it from Ypres? The cemetery is located about 8.5 km south of the centre of Ypres.
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.