Kasteel Beauvoorde

About the museum

Wulveringem, then Wulfringhem, already appears in the sources in the twelfth century, and a motte castle probably stood there even then. The castle is first explicitly mentioned in a document in 1408. In the sixteenth century it was plundered and partly destroyed during the religious troubles. Around 1617, Jacques de Bryarde and his wife expanded it into a stately noble residence that was known as one of the finest houses in the kasselrij (castellany). It was extended further later on, but in 1764 dilapidated wings and storeys had to be demolished.

In the nineteenth century the castle was in the hands of farmers who used it practically. In 1875 the young nobleman Arthur Merghelynck bought it. From 1876 he had it restored to the glory days of the seventeenth century: he rebuilt vanished wings and even added elements, such as crenellations around the courtyard and an extra gable. His restoration was completed in 1902 and produced the castle as it is known today, a romantic time capsule.

After four years of restoration, Kasteel Beauvoorde reopened to the public in 2026. You start in the visitor centre in the former coach house; then the personal diary of Arthur Merghelynck guides you through the restored rooms with gold-leather wallpaper, armour, paintings and antique furniture. The castle is managed by Herita.

Highlights

• Moated castle with interiors from the time of Arthur Merghelynck
• Visitor centre in the former coach house
• Gold-leather wallpaper, armour, paintings and antique furniture
• Two scavenger hunts for children (ages 3 to 5 and up to 12)
• Castle park and castle shop with regional products

Permanent exhibition

• Kasteel Beauvoorde van Arthur Merghelynck – The restored rooms of the moated castle with gold-leather wallpaper, armour, paintings and antique furniture, plus a visitor centre about Arthur Merghelynck in the former coach house.

Operated by

Herita vzw

Admission & discounts

Herita members enter free. The Museumpas is not accepted. The price includes the castle route.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The reception square, the shop and the visitor centre are fully wheelchair accessible, and there is an MIVA toilet. The castle itself is not accessible to wheelchair users because of stairs and narrow doorways; a digital scan of the castle is planned. Until then the visitor centre is free for wheelchair users.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

There are two scavenger hunts for children: one for the youngest (3 to 5 years) and one for children who can read and write (up to 12). During the autumn holidays these are “Waar is Arthur” (“Where is Arthur”) and “Kraak de dagboekcode” (“Crack the diary code”).

Getting there & parking

Use Wulveringemstraat 12, Veurne (not Beauvoorde) as the GPS address. The castle lies at junction 27 of the Westhoek Noord cycle network; there are bicycle racks opposite the castle.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

There is no catering in the castle; in the village there are a few small cafés (Toe Tuzend in summer, Tuur Djès, Op goed geluk and Bar en Route). The castle shop sells regional products and souvenirs.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit