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B&B on Flanders Battlefields : Varlet farm

Our farm was given the name 'Varlet Farm' by British soldiers during WW1 and appears as such on original trenchmaps. The original farm, situated on Passchendaele territory and strongly fortified by the Germans, was finally taken by the 'Hood Battalion', Royal Naval Division, after fierce fighting in October 1917. Nothing of the original farm remained by 1918. In 1922 rebuilding commenced just a few metres from the original site and the result is the building that we live in today.

Today Varlet Farm is a typical working farm except that on a daily basis we come face to face with the remains of the Great War. Every time we work the fields evidence comes to light of the moments events that occurred here eighty years ago.

Our garage contains a collection of artefacts that we have unearthed in the normal course of our work. Rifles,helmets, water bottles and countless other items are displayed together with literally hundreds of artillery shell fragments and bullets. (Like every other farm in the Ypres area we also discover many live shells and grenades. These are always dealt with by the Belgian Army Bomb Disposal team who have a base nearby.)

In the year 1998 we converted three of the rooms of our farmhouse into guest rooms so that we can offer Bed and Breakfast accommodation. The rooms have all been furnished to the highest standard and we do all we can to ensure that our guests have an interesting yet relaxing stay with us.

In January 2002 we cut the knot and decided to convert the former stables into extra accommodation. In addition, an extensive breakfast room has been added
as well as a cosy sitting corner, where one can recharge ones batteries while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. As the rebuilding works have finally come to
an end, we can now accommodate small groups up to 22 people. We can offer double, twin bedded and triple rooms, all en-suite. For families we have a family unit which consists of 2 twin bedded rooms, just next to each other, sharing a private sitting corner and the same bathroom between them.

We are 5 miles (9 km) from Ypres and close to all the major battle sites, memorials and cemeteries. We are ideally situated for anyone wishing to research the Ypres Salient. We can also supply help and advice for anyone wishing to trace war graves in the region and, as you may have guessed, we speak English.

Free WIFI in all the rooms, maps and guidebooks at the disposal of our guest, library with WO I books, cosy sitting corners, bicycles to rent, coffee and tea making facilities.