The best city hikes and walks around Heidebos

From March 20, 2026, to January 3, 2027, the Lokeren City Museum will host the exhibition "Gebeiteld" (Chiseled), dedicated to the work of the Lokerse sculptor Roger Bracke (1913-1993), who, besides this "Girl by the Water", also created the Peace Monument in front of the station. Source: lokeren.be

The former post office building on the corner of Durmelaan and Markt dates from 1906 and is therefore 120 years old. In early 2019, it was purchased by the city. The appearance of this building is very significant: it is, after all, one of the four landmarks present on each corner of the Markt, namely the town hall, the Saint Lawrence Church, the city museum, and thus the post office building. The fact that it is a protected monument and part of the protected cityscape makes it not obvious for a private developer to find a suitable destination, but the city council did see opportunities here. The building has stood empty in recent years, but - after the first essential repairs to the roof (2020) - the city began thorough renovation works in 2023 (obviously without changing anything to the facade). Both the Tourism and Events department and the City Archives will find accommodation here. In addition to these two departments, the former post office building also provides space for the municipal council, ceremonial occasions, and meetings. Source: lokeren.be

Since August 2025, Ravello, an ice cream parlor, has been located here. It is run by the couple who have been running the pop-up cocktail bar 'Bar Botanique' for several years during the Lokerse feesten in a nearby building on Prosper Thuysbaertlaan.

Het Brughuis, the official residence of "de brugdraaier" (the bridge operator), the official who operated the then swing bridge over the Durme, was built in 1909 in the neo-Flemish Renaissance style typical of the time, designed by Lokeren architect Henri Vanden Broucke. Source: Facade stone above the building's door

On the market square of Stekene-centrum there is a well-preserved pillory (stonemason J.E. De Lateur). This pillory from 1774 replaced the previous medieval wooden one and was erected in memory of Hans (Jan) Van Steene. Jan Van Steene was accused of devilry in 1637. In the past, criminals were put on display for the public at the pillory as a punishment. Passers-by were free to mock them or even throw filth at them. The pillory is a bluestone column with a lion's head in the centre, which bears the coat of arms of Stekene (three golden sticklebacks in a blue pool). (Discover Stekene)

In the centre of Stekene you can park for free at the Centrumparking - Parking Tack (entrance Polenlaan 10). This is a spacious car park located at the sports infrastructure of Stekene. Ideal to park your car when you want to walk or cycle in this area. Other parking options are the Marktplein and the Dr. Eugeen Roggemanlaan.

The neo-Gothic town hall from 1882 with its belfry tower and carillon is the eye-catcher in the centre of Stekene. The building has been protected as a monument since 1995 and was restored in 2000 with special attention to the facade of the town hall. On the inside of the old part of the town hall, the council chamber was restored to its former glory and the authentic interior of the ceremony room gives every bridal couple an extra drop of festive feeling. In the stairwell, the painting by Stekenaar Baerwaldt (1893) immediately catches the eye, depicting the intervention of Amelberga Truyman with General Otsen. Thanks to her plea, Stekene was spared from the destructiveness of the French troops in 1798 following the Peasants' War. (Discover Stekene)

In 1871, the Council for the general interest of the population decided to place a water pump on the market square. The pump was mainly intended for drinking water supply in the dry summers and for extinguishing fires. The neo-Gothic cast iron pump was placed in 1873. In 2001, the pump was restored, fully metallized and placed on the central reservation in the Polenlaan. (Discover Stekene)