Bokrijk Open-Air Museum

Bokrijk is a large open-air museum at Bokrijklaan 1, in the municipality of Genk, in Limburg province in Belgium's Flemish Region, about 9 km from Hasselt. The trip takes roughly 20 minutes by train and bus from Hasselt, with an SNCB train to Bokrijk station, about 10 minutes, followed by a short walk, or a De Lijn bus from Hasselt. A cycle path from Hasselt also reaches the park, so cycling is a practical alternative on a dry day. The museum presents historic Flemish buildings that were moved from across the region and rebuilt in a setting of woods, heath and ponds, grouped by area and period to show rural life from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Farmhouses, barns, chapels, a village inn and a school illustrate how people lived and worked, and costumed staff and craftspeople demonstrate traditional skills in season. The grounds are extensive, so a full visit involves two to five hours of walking over mostly level paths, which makes the day moderate rather than easy. Bokrijk also contains a domain with an arboretum, a playground and wooded areas that suit families. A day can begin with the village areas in the morning, when the paths are quieter, then lunch at one of the park's restaurants or a picnic. The afternoon suits the farm buildings and the heath and pond walks. The best season is April to October, because the museum's seasonal programme and demonstrations run then, and the woods are at their best. Entry costs about €10 to €18, with discounts for children, and tickets are normally available at the gate. Check opening dates before travelling, since the open-air museum does not operate every day of the year.