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Removals to Brussels with Hamiltons Removals
This article looks at the Belgian capital Brussels – its history, how to get there and get around once you have arrived, and its most famous tourist attractions.
There’s also a rundown of Hamiltons Removals services to Belgium, if you are moving either to city or elsewhere in the country.
This article is a three- to four-minute read.
It may be famous for its food and drink – particularly its chocolate and beer – but there’s a lot more to the Belgian capital than its culinary scene. Hamiltons Removals, who offer removals to Brussels, have been putting the city in the spotlight.
Removals to Belgium with Hamiltons Removals
At Hamiltons Removals, we can help with moves to all parts of Belgium, including Antwerp, Ghent, Liege and Brugge as well as Brussels. We can also help with commercial moves to the country, if you want to relocate your business (and some of your employees) there.
The History and Heritage
Although there were settlements in the area dating back to the Stone Age, Brussels as we know it originated as a sixth-century settlement on an island in the Senne River. It was officially founded around 979 when Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine, built a fortress there.
It grew rapidly in the Middle Ages as a major commercial centre on the Bruges-Cologne trade route, known for its textile and lace industries. In 1830, Brussels became the capital of an independent Belgium following the Belgian Revolution.
The city underwent significant modernisation in the 19th and 20th centuries and, after the Second World War, was transformed into a major international hub, hosting the headquarters of both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). This earned it the nickname “the capital of Europe”. Unsurprisingly, Government services, along with finance, insurance and biotech, are the city’s major employers.
Getting There and Getting Around
Brussels Airport (BRU) is just under eight miles to the northeast of the city centre. There are trains (journey time around 20 minutes) between the two, but the public bus is the more budget-friendly option.
However, if you are considering removals from the UK to Brussels, then travelling via Eurostar may be more convenient. Trains start at London St Pancras International, through the Channel Tunnel, and stop in Lille, France, before arriving at Brussels’-Midi station. While French and Dutch (Flemish) are the official languages, most Belgians have a good understanding of English and other European tongues too.
Once you have arrived, the metro (look for the ‘M’ signs) is a quick and convenient way to get around. There are seven lines in total, and the network is much cleaner than those found in many other cities across the world.
Most sights in Brussels are reasonably close together, within reasonable walking distance of each other. However, bear in mind that the oldest part of town is cobblestoned. There is also a bike sharing network (look for the Villo! signs) that has more than 2,500 bicycles available at 200 stations throughout the city.
The Main Attractions
The Grand-Place is the main square. It’s picturesque as well as functional, as it is home to Brussels Town Hall. Many fairs, concerts and shows are held here. Two widely differing sculptures can also be found in the city – the Mannekin-Pis, a 17-th century bronze statuette of a boy relieving himself, and the Atomium (a 1950s representation of an iron unit cell, pictured above).
There are plenty of museums to choose from, with The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium incorporating a number of separate establishments – the Oldmasters, Modern, Meunier, Wiertz and Magritte Museums. However, if you want some family-friendly entertainment, try the LEGO Discovery Centre, ideal for children between two and 12 (and their parents too).
Shopping Around and Eating Out
The pedestrianised Rue Neuve/Nieuwstraat is one of busiest shopping streets in Belgium and has most of the designer stores and brand names. For something more independent, try the vintage markets like the Sunday Brussels Vintage Market for unique finds, and the Place du Jeu de Balle flea market for antiques and second-hand items.
Brussels is well known for its local waffles and French fries as well as its chocolate and beers. The Brussels waffle is light and rectangular with square pockets, ideal for infilling with powdered sugar, whipped cream or caramel.
French fries are commonly enjoyed with mussels (Moule-frites) or as a street food, served with a variety of sauces. For something more substantial, try the Carbonnade Flamande (a rich beef and beer stew),
How Hamiltons Removals Can Help
Whether you need commercial or domestic removals to Brussels, Hamiltons Removals can help. You can start the process by either clicking here and filling in the online video survey form on the right-hand side of the page (‘Detailed Quote’), or by calling us on 01379 855203.
FAQs:
Q: How many British people live in Belgium?
A: It’s been estimated that around 30,000 British-born people live in Belgium, although this figure is believed to have fallen in recent years due to Brexit. Exact figures for Brussels are not available; however, more than a third of the Belgian capital’s population are foreign nationals. The French, Romanians and Italians make up the bulk of these.
Q: If you want to study in Brussels, where are the best places to go?
The Universite libre de Bruxelles has three campuses in the city, and about 20,000 students, and the Vrije Univerisiteit Brussel, its sister university, has about 10,000 students. However, if you are moving to Brussels from the UK, note that the former is French-speaking while the latter is Dutch-speaking.
Q: What are the visa requirements if you are moving to Brussels?
A: UK citizens need a long-stay (Type D) visa to move to Brussels if you are staying longer than 90 days. You’ll need to apply for a visa based on your reason for moving, such as work or study, and gather documents like a valid passport, proof of funds, health insurance, and an application form. More information can be found on the Belgian embassy website here.
Why do Valuable Artworks and Antiques Need to be Moved?
This article looks at the reasons why artworks are moved so often. Any move requires careful planning and handling, particularly if the pieces are valuable or large.
Hamiltons Removals can help you move your artwork, wherever it needs to go within the UK; we also offer fine art storage services as well.
This article is a three- to four-minute read.
The UK is one of the biggest art markets in the world, accounting for almost a fifth of the global art trade. This means many valuable pieces will be either heading out of, or into, the country, for a variety of reasons. Here, Hamiltons Removals look at some of the more specific reasons for moving artworks – and how we can help.
Antiques Transportation in the UK from Hamiltons Removals
We have more than three decades of experience in moving artwork as well as people. We understand the need to handle all items with care and respect. For more details about our antiques transportation services – which can include shipping and storage – follow this link.
The Global Art Market
The global art market last year was worth around £44 billion. The figure takes into account commission and transportation costs, meaning there is a lot of art and antiques being moved between auction houses, dealers and buyers.
House Moves
Private collectors and households with artworks move house, just like anyone else. Some of the pieces may not have much monetary value, but it is still highly prized by the owners.
This is particularly true if the pieces are part of an inheritance. Antiques and other heirlooms can be passed down through generations of the same family, often as the result of a special bequest. Whatever the reason, it still usually means moving the artwork from one place to another.
Exhibitions and Loans
Many museums and galleries have pieces which are on loan from other institutions. For instance, the National Gallery in London has loaned out works by Constable, Turner, Monet, Vermeer and many other artists within the last 18 months. These have been exhibited in Cambridge, Bristol, Edinburgh, York and many other locations in the UK and overseas.
These loans may be to ensure the pieces reach a wider audience, or to commemorate a particular anniversary, or to help with academic research. Not only do the pieces have to be transported when loaned out, they also need to be transported back to their original destination once the loan period is over.
Conservation Work
Artwork, and particularly paintings, often need to be restored to guard against ageing, dirt, and environmental pollutants. Specialists repair tears, cracks and discolouring to return the piece closer to its original appearance.
While many of the larger museums and galleries have their own conservation studios on site, many smaller institutions don’t. If they want a piece restored, they have the choice of sending it to one of their bigger neighbours, or to one of the independent, privately-owned studios which operate across the UK. These offer specialised services to private collectors, art dealers and auction houses as well.
Storage
Sometimes pieces need to be put into storage, not because they need to be restored, but because their original home is undergoing refurbishment works. In cases like these, the works need to be stored in strictly controlled environments (relating mainly to the temperature and humidity) to ensure it isn’t damaged.
Antiques Transportation and Fine Art Storage from Norfolk-based Hamiltons Removals
At Hamiltons Removals, we can transport your artwork anywhere in the UK by land, sea or air. When it comes to storage, we can offer you several options, including 24/7 manned security storage and temperature-controlled environments for ‘Museum’ quality pieces.
And when it comes to packing materials, we stock soft wrapping materials and full museum specification cases.
So whether you are an auction house, a collector, a museum curator – or maybe you just have some artwork or antiques and are moving house – we can help.
For more details, you can email fineart@hamiltonsremovals.co.uk or call us on 01379 855203.
FAQS:
What are the biggest challenges when moving artwork?
The biggest challenges are environmental factors like temperature and humidity, physical damage from improper packing and handling, and the unique requirements for different types of artwork, like sculptures or large paintings. Sculptures in particular can be large and irregularly shaped. Custom-built storage solutions may be necessary.
Does Hamiltons Removals sell its own packaging materials?
Yes, we stock a range of high-quality packaging materials in our online shop. These include double-walled cartons, bubblewrap and packing paper, and bespoke products such as cartons for bikes, golf clubs, TVs, DVDs, and glassware.
However, if you have anything which is particularly valuable – including artwork and antiques – then we would recommend having it packed (and unpacked) by our team of trained professionals.
Can Hamiltons store items other than artworks?
Yes, we have two Safe’N’Stored sites, at Harleston and Aldeby. The former has a number of self-storage rooms which can be rented for as little as £65 a month, while the latter has self-storage containers which are ideal for larger items such as vehicles and caravans. (Prices for these units start at £52 a month plus VAT).