Belgium – the Perfect Leisure Vehicle Destination?

I’ve often gazed longingly at the Belgian countryside, although until our recent trip, it was mainly from the car window while heading for destinations further afield. As lovely as the dual-carriageways and petrol stations are, I have a lot to learn about Belgium, so I felt it was time to set the record straight and give our near neighbour the time it richly deserved. 

Home to The Smurfs and equally proud of its beer, waffles and chocolate, there’s much more to Belgium than the Brussels ring road, and what better place to start than Klein Strand and Kompas Camping. Both sites are incredibly close to the channel ports and Eurotunnel, and should you be sailing into Dunkirk, Kompas Camping is less than an hour – even when towing a caravan.

Klein Strand campsite

The Klein Strand site is large with an abundance of family-friendly facilities. Pitches are divided by hedgerows, and once pitched, the bar/restaurant proved popular for many weary travellers searching for a snack and a beer. It’s worth noting that the site is split into two parts, with the check-in desk being on one side of the entry road and the campsite on the other. When checking in, look for a reception office to the right of the Chinese restaurant, not the reception next to the campsite barriers. Judging by the number of campers and caravans turning round, we weren’t the only ones to make this mistake. 

Many of our fellow campers stayed within the site confines for the duration of their visit, with the lake proving a popular destination. The water skiing school were practising as we wandered by, and during July and August, water skiing shows can be watched from 5 pm. The opposite side of the lake has been turned into a small sandy beach with an inflatable assault course just offshore.

Just 15 minutes away, Bruges is a mecca for folks wishing to explore. Despite its inland position, waterways stretch from Zeebrugge (which means ‘Bruges by the sea’), creating a port further from the coast than you may expect. Although the arrow-straight waterway ends at the port, the River Reie continues its journey, earning Bruges the nickname ‘Venice of the north’. Coupled with its UNESCO World Heritage status, it’s understandably a popular destination. 

Kompas Camping

Being so close to the ports of Calais and Dunkirk, Kompas Camping is perfect for caravanners, motorhomers, and campervanners who may be relatively new to European travel. The roads are wide, well-surfaced and easy to navigate and only get easier as you cross from France into Belgium. Once on-site, the pitches are large, and the pools, slides, activities, and bar/restaurant allow you to entertain the family without leaving the site. 

Dunkirk is famous for its World War Two sea crossing with several memorials commemorating the brave souls from the British Expeditionary Force, one of which occupies an imposing position atop the sandy beach. This part of the coastline is understandably popular with beachgoers, and while buckets and spades are crafting sandcastles, respect can be paid to those who didn’t manage to board a small ship.

Setting foot in Belgium (for longer than it takes to fill the tank with fuel) underlined how close the country is geographically and how friendly the people are. Without exception, Helen & I were made welcome in local bars, restaurants, and local events, with excellent English being widely spoken. With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to nip at budgets, there’s never been a better time to book a ferry and travel to a country that’s often overlooked..

Klein Strand in detail

A relatively large site with pitches divided by mature hedgerows. Many family-friendly activities, including animation during the summer months, and its easy access to nearby Bruges, either by bus or car.

A few words from the site owner:

‘Many people visit our site as a family. During the summer, we have animation for four hours each day, except for Sunday and Monday. The beach is also popular, and swimming is allowed when the lifeguard is on duty. Many people also visit Bruges as it’s just a 15-minute bus ride.’

Food & Drink

China Garden (on-site, next to Reception). Varsenareweg 29, Jabbeke, 8490. Contact: 0032 5081 4310

Culture

Historium Bruges (historic audio tour). Markt 1, 8000, Bruges. Contact: historium.be, 0032 5027 0311

Outdoor Fun

Flyboard Vlaanderen. Varsenareweg 29, 8490, Jabbeke. Contact: flyboardvlaanderen.be, 0032 477 39 8118

For the Family

Klein Strand Beach. Varsenareweg 29, 8490, Jabbeke. Contact: kleinstrand.be, 0032 5081 1440

Kompas Camping in detail

A large site with impressive on-site facilities. Generous pitches and the layout give it the feel of a much smaller site. Kompas Camping is conveniently placed for both Calais and Dunkirk ports.

Site view

Many visitors stay at the campsite as we have so many things to do, such as swimming pools, slides, and many activities. Evenings are then spent at our on-site bar or restaurant. If visitors would like to explore outside, by walking or bike, they will find the beach, sea, and dunes. 

Food & Drink

Kompas Camping Brasserie. Brugsesteenweg 49 B, 8620 Nieuwpoort. Contact: kompascamping.be, 0032 5823 6037

Culture

Musee Dunkerque 1940. Operation Dynamo. 32 Rue des Chantiers de France. 59140 Dunkerque. Contact: dynamo-dunkerque.com, 0033 374 0602 81

Outdoor Fun

Staketsel. Two long wooden piers built in 1865. Havengeul, 8620, Nieuwpoort. Contact: visit-nieuwpoort.be 

For the Family

The on-site slides and swimming pools! Brugsesteenweg 49 B, 8620 Nieuwpoort. Contact: kompascamping.be, 0032 5823 6037

Dover to Calais with Irish Ferries

Irish Ferries has been offering a Dover-Calais service since June 2021 and crossings can be booked through the Club’s travel service. As the name suggests, this ferry company has been transporting passengers and freight between Britain and the Republic of Ireland, with the Isle of Inishmore tasked with the new crossing. Our outbound crossing was via Irish Ferries, and despite a busy port, the check-in process was quick and straightforward once we’d reached the booth. Cost-effective too!

Duty-Free is Back!

The reintroduction of duty-free is a Brexit by-product, and DFDS has invested in new duty-free shops at the ports of Calais and Dunkirk, as well as on board the ferry. The per-person allowance includes 42 litres of beer, 18 litres of still wine, 4 litres of spirits or 9 litres of sparkling wine, and 200 cigarettes. £390 can be spent on non-alcoholic goods. Our inbound crossing was from Dunkirk, where £290,000 has been invested in a 700sqm shop. When checking in, let the booth staff know you intend to shop at the new duty-free store, and they will allocate a lane for shopping. Otherwise, you may be asked to board immediately. This allows easy loading of bulkier items as you’ll be parked outside the door.