Het Koninginnehof

Het Koninginnehof is a restaurant and outdoor leisure area on the lake in Maria Hendrikapark, Ostend’s big city park, and it is one of the best places in town to spend an afternoon with children when you need a break from the beach.

There is an 18-hole adventure minigolf course, and a playground for children up to 12 that includes a little go-cart circuit with traffic lights, where children can practise the rules of the road. On the seven-hectare lake you can rent pedal boats, rowing boats, kayaks and quiet electric boats by the half hour. The restaurant has a terrace, so parents can sit down while the children play.

The outdoor activities are seasonal, running from the Easter holidays until the end of September, with afternoon opening on Wednesdays and weekends in term time and longer daily hours in the school holidays. Check the website before you go. Outside food and drink are not allowed in the play area. The rest of the park is free and open all year.