The house and garden of Polderlicht

An age-old estate, a warm new story.

Behind Polderlicht lies Hof Malleghem: an old farmstead whose history, according to local historians, goes back to around 1330. The present house is just over a century old. Its exceptionally thick walls preserve the character of the farm, while inside, warm contemporary design sets the tone.

Real aerial photo of Polderlicht: the white farmhouse with orange roofs and solar panels among trees, garden and polder fields

Hof Malleghem

An old farmstead, a new chapter

Long before guests came here to enjoy the silence, this land was worked. The farm was called Hof Malleghem. A farmyard among the meadows, where the seasons set the rhythm and generations built their lives.

Black-and-white photo of the Hof Malleghem farm with its buildings and yard, 1952 — Hof Malleghem in 1952.

c. 1330According to local historiography

Old roots

According to local historiography, the roots of the estate go back to a fief mentioned around 1330. That story features Geraart de Rikelike and his son Jan, and later Philip, Lord of Maldegem. Old names that offer a glimpse of a past still being unravelled.

From riding arena to garden

The farm changed over time. Horse stables and a riding school were added, with a riding arena where the large garden now lies. If you look closely, you can still recognise the shape of that former arena on the right of the garden. Today, the grass has been given room there.

Aerial photo of the rear yard of Hof Malleghem with barns and surrounding fields, 1967 — The rear yard of Hof Malleghem from the air, 1967.

The open lawn in the polder garden, surrounded by trees — Today: space, greenery and silence in the Polderlicht garden.

A new chapter

In 2004 a new chapter began. Architects BURO II gave the old farmhouse a contemporary interpretation, with warm materials and attention to light and space. The thick walls and rural character remained part of its story.

Today this is Polderlicht, Carine's home. A place for art, hospitality and long, quiet days among the polders.

The white façade of Polderlicht on Bosstraat, with cobblestones and a green hedge — Polderlicht on the Bosstraat, among the pollard willows and the polders.

A house with a past. And all the room to simply be in the present.

Read the full history of Hof Malleghem

Sources for this history

Ronny Vervaecke and Ronny Vande Pitte, Uitkerke — Beelden vervlogen in de tijd: De boerenstiel, pp. 194–201 (citing M. Coornaert, Uitkerke, 1967).
Flemish heritage inventory (Onroerend Erfgoed): Uitkerke, where the Mallegem farmstead is listed among the possible dwelling mounds. (opens in a new tab)
Flemish heritage inventory (Onroerend Erfgoed): M. Coornaert (1967), Uitkerke. De geschiedenis, de topografie en de toponimie van Uitkerke en Sint-Jan-op-de-Dijk tot omstreeks 1900. (opens in a new tab)

Source: Uitkerke — Beelden vervlogen in de tijd: De boerenstiel, Ronny Vervaecke and Ronny Vande Pitte, pp. 194–201. Reproductions from the book, digitally cleaned up with AI.

Sitting area with white sofas, a guitar and large windows onto the garden

The house

Polderlicht is an atmospheric, white polder house in the midst of the unspoilt nature of the Uitkerkse Polders.

Here you may slow down for a while, catch your breath and enjoy the simplicity and the silence.

You have your own cosy guest room, a place entirely for yourself.

Downstairs you will find a spacious living area and a fitted guest kitchen. The large garden with terrace also invites you to relax wonderfully.
You share these places with the other guests, in an informal and warm atmosphere.

A place where you may feel welcome and be entirely yourself.

On the estate

Parking

You can park your car free of charge on the grounds beneath the trees.

Sauna cabin

The sauna cabin stands on its own, behind the house.

More about the sauna

Guest wing

This wing holds the three guest rooms.

Compare the three rooms

Main house (private)

This is where Carine lives. This part of the house is private.

Pond

The pond lies in the middle of the garden, close to the terrace.

Former riding arena

Where the riding arena used to be, there is now an open lawn.

Garden with fruit trees

Fruit trees stand in the grass; the garden runs all the way to the hedge.

Your own room, space to share

You book one of our three design rooms, each with its own private bathroom. At Akker the bathroom is in the room. At Tuin and Vijver it is outside the bedroom. The room page shows the exact layout.

The garden, guest kitchen and communal space are shared with the other guests. You can read there, prepare something or sit together. For a moment to yourself you have your own room.

Compare the three rooms Practical questions about your stay

White front façade with yellow and blue shutters, flowers and a cobbled yard — The front of the house, with cobblestones and coloured shutters.

Bright upstairs hallway with white cupboards and carpet — The upstairs hallway.

View from the house across a grain field under a blue sky — View from the house across the field.

The natural garden with its pond

Here, the garden is allowed to be itself: spacious, green and not manicured in every corner. There is a pond, tall trees and always a chair where you can read, watch or simply do nothing.

You can park your car free of charge on the grounds beneath the trees.

Two people and a dog watch a full rainbow from the garden

A glimpse of the garden

The white house on the left, the terrace and pond on the right among the willows — The white house with terrace by the pond.

A grassy path between the willows towards the terrace at Polderlicht — A green path between the willows towards the terrace.

Purple lilacs with the green garden and white house in the background — Purple lilacs in the garden.

White and yellow flowers in the grass, surrounded by tall trees — White and yellow flowers among the trees.

The terrace and white house seen through hanging willow branches — The terrace through a curtain of willow branches.

Shared space & breakfast

Start the day at your own pace, without haste. Make a lovely cup of coffee, prepare your favourite breakfast in the guest kitchen and enjoy a quiet morning in the relaxed atmosphere of Polderlicht.

If you prefer not to prepare anything yourself, you can choose a breakfast basket for two people: a basic breakfast basket (€29) or a comfort breakfast basket (€35)

The communal space has a large table for eight people. Feel free to play music through the Sonos system or pick up the guitar.

In the shared guest kitchen you will find a hob and a fridge. There is also a microwave to heat something up. You can prepare your own breakfast there. The oven is currently unavailable.

Coffee, tea and water are free. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks available in the fridge are charged.

A workshop sometimes takes place in the studio during your stay. The guest kitchen and garden remain accessible: you can prepare something to eat or enjoy being outdoors.

Spacious shared living space with a long table, sitting area and Carine's paintings on the walls — The shared living space with the large table and Carine's art.

Your host

Carine, hostess and artist

Carine is the hostess and artist behind Polderlicht. In her home, hospitality, art and attention to form and materials come together. Her painting studio is part of the place where you stay.

Have a question or want to paint during your stay? Get in touch with Carine. Your arrival and any activities are arranged with her.

View the rooms Carine’s studio Carine as a painter Relaxing at Polderlicht Ask Carine a question