Poperinge Things to Do Tips by Martinewezel

Death Cells in the Town Hall

Traumatised by the violence of the war, a number of British soldiers refused to return to the war afyter have spent their furlough in Poperinge.

So they deserted. As a consequence, most of them received the death penalty by execution.

2 death cells were restored and the execution pole was put back on the inner court of the Town Hall.

Open every day from 9am to 5.30 pm

Address: Grand Place

Talbot House: The House itself (Toc H)

Talbot house was a guest house where British soldiers could escape the war (see previous must see).

It's still a British place, kept in the original 1915 style, with the same old furniture.
We felt as we were stepping back into time.

Nowadays it's still a guest house, but not an ordinary one. Click Toc H to get a full background on Talbot House (very important).

The whole guest house, the kitchen, living room, the chapel in the attic...all the rooms are open to the tourists (except for the bedrooms of the other guests of course).

Address: Gasthuisstraat 43 B-8970 Poperinge

Directions: 2 minutes from the Grand Place

Other Contact: fax: +32 57 33 21 83

Phone: +32 57 333 228

Website: http://www.talbothouse.be

Talbot House: the museum

In 1915 the town became the heart of the British sector, when the army chaplains Philip Clayton and Neville Talbot opened their "Every Man's Club" :Talbot House". It was meant as an alternative place of recreation, where all British soldiers, regardless of their rank were welcome to spend their furlough.
Here they could enjoy a mug of tea, a book, or the company of friends. Every day there was a mass in the attic.The magnificent garden is still a heaven of peace in the center of the town.

And it's a house where you feel the history.

The museum itself (an old hop- oathouse in the garden), was opened in Spring 2004.

Tales, a concert party, testimonials, letters, extracts from diaries and a film prepare the visitor to visit the house.
For a little surplus in the entrance fee, you are intitled to visit the Talbot House itself.
And this is an absolute "MUST DO"!

Address: Gasthuisstraat 43 B-8970 Poperinge

Directions: 2 min walk from the Grand Place

Phone: +32 57 333 228

Website: http://www.talbothouse.be