Talbot House

We found Talbot house very clean and the greeting warm. We were put in the accommodation block at the bottom of the garden which was comfortable, warm and spotlessly clean. The continental breakfast was very well presented, good selection and plentiful. We had hoped to have stayed in the main building for the historical experience but going into the garden took away the reason why we had booked here. When booking I had not picked up on that we should have given 48 hours notice if an 'English breakfast' was required as the ingredients had to be sourced, bearing in mind there is a SPAR market 80 meters along the road. The guests ate their breakfast in the dining room as the 'Guardians' ate separately in the front parlour. We had been recommended to stay at TH by one of their Association members at a meeting of our local WFA who told of us of a guided tour of the building which was not offered. Having just gone through the TH website my wife could not find any mention of 48 hours notice for a cooked breakfast, just an extra charge of 10 Euros. This took away the whole ethos of the 'Every man's Club.

It is hard to put in to words. If you wish to feel at peace and, in some small part, to try and take yourself back over a century to a time and a set of circumstances that thankfully none of us can really comprehend, ie the lot of the soldiers of the Great War, then this is the place to do it. Talbot House is run by volunteers. They are all kind and helpful. The others that you will meet will have come from far and wide and will help you to appreciate how wonderful this sanctuary is. It falls to us all to support it and to keep it going.

We were in the Westhoek of Flanders for a few days to find out more about the First World War and this museum/former home for soldiers seemed like a good start. It was; extremely attractive, spacious garden to sit in (it was 33 degrees) and you can walk freely into the house and the adjacent museum. We had a room in the garden house, which was excellent, no remarks. You can help yourself to drinks, payable on a trust basis, buffet breakfast well stocked.

For an immersive and moving experience in an authentic museum which speaks to humanity in the face of the horrors of war, there is no-where better. Visit the museum, enjoy the garden and sleep peacefully in the guesthouse. It might change your view of what’s important in life.

Excellent in every way possible!!! My brother and I stayed 5 years ago. We enjoyed our previous stay that much we promised ourselves that we would return every 5 years! So we did… Honestly the complete experience from start to finish staying at Talbot House is beyond words (in a very positive way). The lovely Ken welcomed my brother and I and helped us settle in (sad to hear his wife Libby couldn't co host this year but I got the pleasure of seeing her smiley face on video during my stay) Ken kindly showed us round to ensure we knew where everything was and couldn't be more helpful. Martin, is incredible! So knowledgeable, so helpful and just one of life's "good eggs"! Robert, omg I just had to have a sing song the moment he sat at the piano and played a multitude of truly lovely memorable war time songs! In a world whereby good service has been forgotten! The Talbot House experience is just simply top draw! Thank you! We will definitely be back.

To stay at Talbot House is a wonderful way to connect with the soldiers of the Great War. The house is hosted by volunteers, and has a relaxed atmosphere. It is a perfect way to mix with like minded people who are visiting the cemeteries, museums and memorials to understand where their ancestors fought & died. This is living history. You don’t get an en-suite bathroom and the floorboards creak a bit, but the house feels like home from home. There are beers in the fridge and an honesty box. If you are very lucky someone will play the piano and you sing ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’. We found our second visit very moving, like visiting old friends.