NTAB: Members and Supporters of the National Trust living in Belgium

18/03/2026

Our Next Outing

Workhouse & vagrant community at Merksplas / Wortel

Those who took part in our UK trip in 2024 will certainly remember our visit to the Southwell Workhouse, the way poverty and homelessness were dealt with in 19th-century England during the reign of Queen Victoria.

In the same period The United Netherlands (currently The Netherlands and Belgium) were also confronted with widespread poverty and homelessness among a large part of the population.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Dutch government launched a large-scale social experiment to eradicate poverty with the foundation of the “Maatschappij van Weldadigheid” (‘Benevolent Society’)

Under the supervision of Johannes Van den Bosch, a Dutch politician and military man, the establishment of 7 colonies started in 1812. Five of them were laid out in the north of the Netherlands, two (Merksplas and Wortel) in the south near the current Belgian–Dutch border.

In free colonies, such as Wortel, poor families were housed on small farms with the aim of becoming self-sufficient. However, they had the right to leave the colony.

Unfree colonies, such as Merksplas consisted of a central institution where thousands of colonists were put to work. Vagrants, beggars and orphans were admitted, sometimes by force.

After Belgium gained independence in 1830, this project was discontinued because the Belgian Government lacked the financial resources to continue it.

A few decades later, however, it was revived when the Act on the Suppression of Vagrancy and Begging was passed in 1866.
From 1870 onwards, large numbers of people were sent to the Rijksweldadigheidskoloniën (State Benevolent Colonies, or Workhouses) in Merksplas and Wortel to work in agriculture, attend school and learn discipline.

Between 1878 and the end of the 19th century, important expansions followed, such as the main building, a hospital, a cell prison and a school. The monumental “Grote Hoeve” (great farm) and the Vagrants’ Chapel were designed by architect Victor Besme.

In 1993, the law on vagrancy was abolished in Belgium, bringing an end to this system.

Merksplas-Kolonie has been a protected landscape since 1999. The remaining buildings underwent careful restoration and were given a new purpose such as the visitor centre, the prison museum, a brasserie, a hotel and various event locations.

The former dormitories of the vagrants now house a prison and a centre for people without residence permits.
Programme of the day

9:45: Welcome coffee/tea with a slice of “landloperskramiek” (‘vagrant raisin bread’) in the reception area of the prison museum.
10:15 – 12:15: Guided visit (EN/NL) of the prison museum and screening of a film about the last days of Wortel colony before its final closure in 1993.
12:15: Departure to the restaurant Lindehoeve, Veldenbergstraat 97, 2330 Merksplas for lunch. Menu: Soup, salmon with vegetables/puree, one drink (water, soft drink, beer or house wine) and coffee or tea after the lunch. Vegetarian or gluten free meals will be served to participants who indicated this at the time of registration.
14:15: Departure to the Merksplas colony.
14:30 – 16:30: Guided walk (EN/NL) along the historical heritage of the Vagrants colony in Merksplas.
16:30: Free visit to the Visitors Centre where we learn more about the daily life of the vagrants who once lived here.

There is an opportunity to have a farewell drink in the Colony 7 brasserie next to the visitor centre.

For further information: https://ntab.be/event/workhouse-vagrant-community-at-merksplas-wortel/

14/03/2026

THE END OF AN ERA

The 2026 AGM was quite literally the end of an era, when Jan stood down from the role of NTAB Chair, a role he has fulfilled for the past ten years with … well let me summarise the lovely words being spoken about Jan by his Vice Chair, Carole, and his (interim) successor Tim.

Along with her, and our, heartfelt thanks, Carole presented Jan and Mia with gifts from the group. Carole reminded us how Jan has so generously given of his time, energy, diplomatic skills and address book to find us fascinating and interesting places to visit. Jan has been able to open doors to properties that would otherwise have been kept firmly shut against inquisitive visitors! Jan’s leadership of the committee was always gentle and yet firm, and his love of English heritage (which is obvious to everyone) has been infectious and guided his leadership of the group.

Tim thanked Jan for all the work he has done for the NTAB. He spoke of what a privilege, joy and rather daunting prospect it is to follow in Jan’s footsteps. How we have all seen him resolving issues in his calm quiet way at events, but only the committee members have been privileged to see how he uses these qualities in meetings. The Committee was fortunate to have Jan steer them through the renewal of our constitution and bring it more in line with the National Trust norms.

Tim reminded us that whilst he is looking forward to taking over from Jan he has asked for it to be considered interim. He feels that his busy life, travelling, family and other commitments, will mean that he will not be able to give the post the time it needs and deserves. He is hoping that in due course someone will come forward who can perform the role on a more permanent basis.

14/03/2026

Many thanks to Carole for organising our 2026 AGM and another interesting day out.

We had two excellent guides, one English speaking and one French, who lead us through the fascinating history of Nivelles, a true hidden gem, told through the history of the beautiful Collegiate Church of St. Gertrude.

Lunch, in the private room of a nearby local hostelry, include the local speciality, Tarte al Djote, and for those who wish to try making it at home, here is a link: https://www.gastronomie-wallonne.be/gastro/potees/tarte_al_djote_confrerie_nivelles.html

After lunch the weather gods were kind to us, and although it was still cold for our walking tour of the town, they had at least blown away the rain!

Please see the separate post on "The End of an Era".

Please feel free to add your own photos to this post!

14/03/2026

To contact us, click here:

14/03/2026

Make sure you check out our website: https://ntab.be/

And our blog: https://ntab.be/blog/

21/02/2026

Thank you Andre for another wonderful day out. It was fascinating to discover parts of Antwerp, a city we have often visited, that we had never seen before, and to learn about so many Antwerp-England links that we were unaware of.

And of course the lunch was very well chosen.

I’d be delighted if more people wanted to add their photos to mine!

15/11/2025

Don't forget to sign up for our Christmas meeting!

https://ntab.be/event/brussels-belvue-museum/

Brussels, A Stylish End to the Year

Art Deco at the BELvue and a Journey Underground at the Coudenberg Palace

We will spend the afternoon at the BELvue museum, housed in the former Hôtel Bellevue, an 18th-century residence steeped in history. Once a meeting place for nobility and artists, it later became home to the future King Leopold and Queen Astrid, and even served as a refuge for the Red Cross. Today, it stands as a museum next to the Royal Palace, offering the perfect setting to close our annual programme.

As we mark 100 years of Art Deco, our visit includes the special exhibition “Art Deco – Style in a Changing Society”, which explores the enduring influence of this iconic design movement. The exhibition brings together exceptional works from the King Baudouin Foundation’s collection, reflecting the societal shifts following World War I—an era of innovation, cultural energy, and evolving social roles.

We’ll see how Art Deco expressed the spirit of a new age: a time when women stepped into public life, technology reshaped daily living, and design transformed functional objects into works of art. The two co-curators of the exhibition have generously agreed to guide us—one in English, followed by the second in French—offering insights into key pieces by renowned artists such as Marcel Wolfers, Oscar Jespers, and the elegant glasswork of Val Saint Lambert.

Afterwards, we step further back in time with a visit to the Coudenberg Palace, one of Brussels’ hidden historical treasures. Beneath the city lies the well-preserved archaeological site of what was once the grand palace of Emperor Charles V. Destroyed by fire in the 18th century and buried under the modern city, it has since been carefully excavated and restored.

We’ll explore the remains of the Aula Magna, the palace chapel, and the Rue Isabelle, which once connected the palace to what is now Saint Michael’s Cathedral. It was here, in 1555, that Charles V shocked Europe by unexpectedly announcing his abdication—momentous news in its time. Our English-speaking guide will lead us through this atmospheric underground world in two groups.

Following our visits, we’ll gather at 4 PM for our traditional end-of-year reception, held at the pavilion behind the Théâtre du Parc, located on the edge of Brussels Park opposite the Parliament building. From the BELvue, we’ll walk across Place des Palais and into the park. Awaiting us at the pavilion is our host, Baron Querton, a former diplomat, who will welcome us to this elegant annex of the Théâtre du Parc—once known as the ‘English Theatre’.

We will spend the afternoon at the BELvue museum, housed in the former Hôtel Bellevue, an 18th-century residence steeped in history. Once a meeting place for

15/11/2025

Many thanks to Andre for organising another interesting NTAB day out, first on a guided tour of the beautifully restored Tour & Taxis complex and then around the old Brussels Town Hall: interspersed with a delicious lunch in the restored Bourse.

19/10/2025

19/10/2025

Huge thanks to Leo for a very enjoyable day yesterday, visiting places that were definitely not on my radar. And for the lovely lunch at a beautiful location.

I had no idea that I could feel so passionately about the need to preserve flat bottomed boats, and the castle at Wissekerke was a wonderful discovery, definitely a place to return to.

https://www.waasland.be/wissekerke-kasteel

https://tolerant-vzw.be/