Bokrijk

Every young school kid in Belgium visits Bokrijk at some point, and I was one of those children about 40 years ago. It was one of those classic school trips — wandering past old farmhouses, watching traditional crafts, and feeling like you’d stepped straight into another century. Returning now, decades later, brings a mix of nostalgia and discovery: the familiar charm is still there, but the park has grown into something even more impressive, blending history, nature, and modern experiences in a way that feels both timeless and fresh.

The Open‑Air Museum is located in the province of Limburg, and it remains the heart of Bokrijk — a place where history, craftsmanship, and nature come together in a way that feels both authentic and wonderfully immersive.

Within the park are three distinctive regions: Haspengouw, Oost and West Vlaanderen and de Kempen. Then there is also the 60s area, but more about each of these in a bit.

Bokrijk is big, so make sure you bring a comfortable pair of shoes — you’ll be doing plenty of wandering through forests, historic villages, and open fields as you explore everything the park has to offer. The park is wonderfully interactive, with actors bringing the past to life in the most charming (and sometimes surprising) ways.

Don’t be startled if you bump into the village priest scolding a mischievous local, or spot a group of women bleaching their laundry in the sun as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. These little encounters make the whole experience feel authentic, almost like you’ve slipped through time.

Let's have a look at the three areas now:
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Kempen:

The Kempen is the first area you enter when visiting Bokrijk, and it immediately sets the tone for the whole experience. With its sandy paths, rustic farmhouses, and traditional long‑gabled buildings, this region captures the simple, rural life of the Kempen countryside. It feels warm and welcoming — a gentle introduction to the slower pace and old‑world charm that defines the Open‑Air Museum. As you wander through the courtyards and workshops, you get a real sense of how everyday life once unfolded here, from farming routines to local crafts that shaped the region’s identity.

The schuur Mol-Sluis (shed Mol-Sluis) is a play shed where you can find loads of games to keep the kids and young at heart entertained. In the village square, you find further fun activities. One of these is the stilt walking, a simple but surprisingly entertaining challenge that kids (and plenty of adults) can’t resist trying.

Oost en West Vlaanderen:

The East and West Flanders sections of Bokrijk each bring their own flavour to the Open‑Air Museum, showcasing the rich agricultural traditions and distinctive architecture of these regions. As you wander through the farmsteads, barns, and village squares, you get a sense of how life once revolved around craftsmanship, trade, and the fertile fields that shaped daily routines. These areas feel a little more open and spacious, with wide courtyards and sturdy brick buildings that reflect the character of Flanders.
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In each building, you stumble upon little surprises. Some houses feel alive with activity — someone baking bread, another person doing the wash, or a craftsman demonstrating a skill that’s almost vanished from modern life. Other buildings are quieter, offering carefully curated educational displays that reveal more about the region’s history and culture. In the Schuur Zuienkerke, for example, we learned about the famous Belgian painter Brueghel, with exhibits that connect his work to everyday rural life. It’s these unexpected moments that make wandering through Bokrijk so rewarding, because you never quite know what story the next doorway will tell.

Haspengouw:

The Haspengouw area is one of the most charming corners of Bokrijk, capturing the gentle, rural character of the Haspengouw region in eastern Belgium. This part of the Open‑Air Museum is dotted with whitewashed farmhouses, orchards, and traditional half‑timbered buildings that feel wonderfully peaceful and authentic. As you wander through the courtyards and gardens, you get a real sense of how people lived and worked in this fertile agricultural region.

One of the most unique parts of Bokrijk is the Sixties district, a colourful, retro neighbourhood that transports you straight back to Belgium in the 1960s. It feels like stepping onto the set of an old film: vintage shopfronts, classic advertising signs, old cars, and interiors that look exactly like the homes our parents or grandparents grew up in. You can wander through a recreated supermarket, peek inside a typical living room from the era, or explore the old school building that brings back memories for anyone who’s ever heard stories about chalkboards and wooden desks. It’s playful, nostalgic, and surprisingly immersive — a perfect contrast to the centuries‑old villages in the Open‑Air Museum.

And although I’m a 70s child, it’s fun to spot so many items we had in our house when I was growing up.