Bulskampveld was once the largest heath land in the County Flanders, and encircled a vast area between Ghent and Bruges. The name Bulskampveld dates back to 1149, and was derived from the Germanic “Bulnas Kampa”, meaning “the field of the bulls”. From the 18th century onwards, men started to cultivate the wasteland. Alleys bordered the fields and more forests began to appear. The first Lord of Bulskampveld, Lambert Malfait, decided to renovate his house into a castle. The current neo-gothic Castle Bulskampveld dates back to 1887 and was built for the family de Meeuws. The surrounding park is an achievement of the family Lippens. Here you can admire walnut-trees, oak trees, tulip trees and magnolias. During spring, you can see the rhododendron and azalea in bloom. The province West-Flanders bought the property in 1970.

Nowadays, Bulskampveld is the largest united forestland in West-Flanders. On the property, you can find homogeneous pine forests, and mixed needle – and leaf-wood parcels. In the “shrub- and herb layer”, you will find blackberries, bracken and mountain-ash berry, “valse” sage, and patches of moss. Traces of the former heath land can be found in the alley borders at “kapvlakte” and in the natural area Heideveld-Bornebeek, currently under the supervision of Natuurpunt vzw afdeling Beernem.
The forestland is also the home of large multy-coloured, green and black woodpeckers and the nuthatch. You will hear numerous songbirds including the nightingale and near the edge of the forest, the hobby, the hawk and the kestrel. Moreover, if you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a timid fox or deer

The old stables house is the bird centre of the domain (050 79 09 59). In this centre, sick and injured birds and other wildlife animals are cared for. When they have recovered from their illness or injury, they go into the “show-box”, where they can practice their flying skills until they are released back into their natural habitat. You can observe the numerous birds, without being seen

Accessibility:
The domain is accessible daily from sunrise to sunset. The botanical garden and its galleries are open daily from 8.30am until 5pm. (except on Saturday - and Sunday morning from October until March).

For information about guided walks: (050) 40 32 57
The natural area Heideveld-Bornebeek is accessible by the walking trails. For guided walks: call conservators Luc Vanpaemel (050) 79 05 58 and Kristof Hurtekant (050) 78 92 75

Parking: parking Het Aanwijs (Reigerlostraat) and parking Drie Koningen (Wellingstraat).

Due to its soft slope (23m) and beautiful scenery, Oedelem’s Mountain is one of the most charming places in the West-Flemish sandy region. The soft chain of the hill was formed after a long process of sedimentation and erosion. Oedelem’s mountain is a typical cuesta with a long and weak north slope and a slightly steeper south slope. The subsoil consists of “Bartoonse” clay, often used for the baking of bricks in this area.

The landscape is characterized by fields and acres, which flow into the woody valley of the Bergbeek. Several rare plants grow on the banks, such as the twayblade, the primrose and the vulnerable saw-wort.
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Accessibility:
Accessible on public roads

This area was first mentioned in the 13th century, in those days it was part of a wasteland between Bruges and Maldegem. Until the 19th century, Beverhoutsveld was a “common field”. The neighbours, united and together, owned the field and used it to let their cattle graze. In the second half of the 19th century, they started to cultivate the field. It was then that the current “alley landscape” arose. The Beverhoutsveld is now property of the municipality and has never been parcelled out. Due to the lack of farms and homes, the field is an oasis of tranquillity. Here, nature and agriculture are intertwined; several lots of wet meadowland are no longer being fertilized, so that colourful wild flowers such as the ragged robin and the cuckooflower can bloom as before. Beverhoutsveld offers the possibility of observing birds like the lapwing, the windhover and the partridge. There are more animals to be seen; the fox, the hare and even the church owl and common redstart which live in the pollard willows.

Accessibility:
Accessible on public roads and alleys

This Canal is one of the oldest canals in the country; the works began in the 13th century. It was created to connect the Zuidleie, which flows into ‘t Zwin, and the Hoge Kale. This explains the sinuous course of the Canal between Aalter and Bruges. In several places, the Canal goes underground. It is here that the high sandy grounds had to be dug through during the construction of the Canal. The works on the canal have never really stopped. The Canal is continuously being made wider, deeper and straighter in different phases, while preserving the precious Canal landscape.
One of the most beautiful parts of the Canal can be found between the Gevaerts - and Sint-Jorisbrug. The old and steep Channel banks have a great biological and environmental importance. The sand-martin and sporadically even the kingfisher breed in these banks. Several parts of Channel banks and the adjoining fort are preserved as an area of outstanding natural beauty .

The excavation of the Canal:
The inhabitants of Bruges started the excavation of the Canal to counteract the silting up of the gully of ‘t Zwin. They tried to make a connection with the Leie in Deinze, much to the displeasure of the inhabitants of Ghent. They feared that the Leie would become unnavigable due to the sinking of the watermark. In 1379, the Gentse Witte Kaproenen(White Hoods of Ghent), an urban militia, attacked workers between Sint-Joris and Aalter. Several workers were killed and Bruges ceased the works on the Canal. The feud was eventually resolved after the “slag van het Beverhoutsveld”( Battle of Beverhoutsveld). Bruges lost the battle and the works were postponed for two centuries. It was only when the Dutchmen blocked the shipping route of the Westerschelde in 1604, that the two cities agreed. They would construct a 42 kilometre-long Canal that connects Ghent, Bruges and Ostend with each other and the sea. The construction of the Canal took 21 years.

Garden Chris Ghyselen

This special garden is the masterpiece of landscape gardener Chris Ghyselen. When you enter his garden, you enter an exiting and beautiful world. The garden covers a surface of 4,500 m2 and has been divided into several small areas. Each area has its own surprise in stall: a formal garden pond, an impressive hornbeam, box cut into extraordinary shapes, a luxuriant double flower-border, a playing field, a swimming-pond, a brooklet and a shadowy garden… His wife Marie-Anne is a botanist and cultivates annuals in the glasshouse and vegetables in the vegetable garden. Together, Chris and Anne-Marie have created something that is well worth a visit.

Accessibility:
Every last weekend of June.
Groups (+ 10 persons) after reservation.
Not wheel-chair accessible

Land- en tuinbouwinstituut Oedelem / Landscape – and agriculture institute Oedelem

This garden started out as an educational collection, nowadays it shows you how trees and bushes develop over the years. This garden is constantly being renewed. As well as a heath garden, a rose garden, there is also a semi-natural pond and a permanent plant garden. The vegetable - and fruit garden with ornamental elements was added recently, as well as compositions that should stimulate the natural and ecological balance of the garden.

Accessibility:
May – June – August – September – October
Individual visits: only during school-hours (not during the vacations)
Group visits: after reservation, guide is optional
Wheel-chair accessible

Accessibility:
From April to November, but not on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Price: Groups up to 25 people: €30, from 26th person and onwards: extra charge of €1.5 per person.
”View day” botanical garden: 2nd weekend of April.
Bio-farmers market: 2nd weekend of October.
Bio farm shop de Karwij: open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 6pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm.

Accessibility:
Accessible for people in wheel-chairs
Open for visitors from September to June (not on Sundays)
It is possible to bring your own packed lunch.
Price: €25 per group.

Accessibility:
Open for visitors year-round.
Price: €2.5 per person, taster included.
Educational tours are also available for school groups.

Toegankelijkheid:
Open from January 2005 onwards.
Price: €2 per person, not including the taster.