From a fortress steeped in history to a birdwatching hide in the heart of the Dollard. And from stately manor farms to striking remnants of the peat colony past. In South-East Groningen, you don’t have to look far to find special places. Oldambt, Westerwolde and the Peat Colonies each have their own landscape, history and character. Time to discover them.
Oldambt
Here, the horizon is always close by. Amidst vast grain fields, stately farmhouses and the shores of the Dollard, you’ll discover the story of Oldambt. Taste locally distilled jenever, view the region from the air or walk straight through the reeds to the Kiekkaaste. These are places where you don’t just see Oldambt, but truly experience it.
Boerderij Hermans Dijkstra
Midwolda | Step back in time to the era of the ‘gentleman farmers’. In this listed farmhouse dating from 1858, you can see how the wealthy Oldambt farmers used to live. Stroll through the authentic rooms and look around the farmyard. Soak up the atmosphere of de Graanrepubliek). Here, a special piece of Oldambt’s history comes to life.
Read more
Groninger Genever Stokerij
Oostwold | A little bit of Groningen in your glass. At the Groninger Genever Stokerij , jenever, liqueur and whisky are still produced using traditional methods. Join the distiller on a guided tour and discover what the craft entails. Tasting is, of course, also part of the experience.
Read more
Kiekkaaste
Nieuwe Statenzijl | You can’t get much more ‘Groningen’ than this . From Nieuwe Statenzijl, you walk along a boardwalk straight through the reeds to the Kiekkaaste, the only birdwatching hide in the Netherlands located outside the dykes. Once at the top, you look out over the Dollard. Water, mudflats, birds and, above all, a vast horizon.
Read more
-
Oostwold Airport
Oostwold | Oldambt is vast. But you can only really appreciate just how vast it is from the air. At Oostwold Airport , small aeroplanes come and go, and you can even join a sightseeing flight yourself. Once aloft, the landscape unfolds beneath you: straight roads, vast fields, Oldambtmeer and, on the horizon, the Dollard.
-
Museum Oldambt
Nieuwolda | What was life and work like in the Oldambt countryside in days gone by? You can find out at Museum Oldambt, housed in a historic farmhouse dating from 1771. From farming tools to stories about everyday life: here, you stap back in time to the Oldambt of yesteryear.
-
Beschermd dorpsgezicht Bad Nieuweschans
Bad Nieuweschans | Take a closer look at the façades as you stroll through Bad Nieuweschans. Around the Voorstraat, historic buildings, the old Hoofdwacht and the street layout are reminders of the time when this border village was still a fortress. A piece of history that’s right there on the street.
Westerwolde
A stream meandering peacefully through the landscape, ancient forests and fortresses where the cannons still roar. Westerwolde is full of places with a story to tell. Put on your walking boots, stap through a fortress gate or step back into the Middle Ages. Here, adventure is sometimes just around the next bend.
Fort Bourtange
Bourtange | As soon as you cross the bridge, you leave the present behind you for a moment. Within the star-shaped fortress, you’ll find ancient ramparts, canals, soldiers’ barracks and a charming Marktplein. Stroll along the ramparts, visit a museum and relax on a terrace. Do you suddenly hear a bang? Chances are the cannon is being fired.
Read more
Hasseberg
Sellingen | You won’t need hiking boots. At 14.6 metres, the Hasseberg is the highest natural point in Groningen. So don’t expect a dizzying descent, but do expect a lovely spot right in the heart of the Westerwolde border landscape. Typical of Groningen: even its highest point likes to keep things a bit modest.
Walk the route
Smeerling & the Dal van de Ruiten Aa
Onstwedde | Winding lanes, old Westerwold farms and a stream meandering peacefully through the countryside. Around Smeerling, you’ll find Westerwolde at its most beautiful. Follow a footpath along the Ruiten Aa, across ash groves and through the woods. Chances are you’ll find yourself stopping more often than planned along the way.
Read more
-
Fort Oudeschans
Oudeschans | Bourtange has a little sister. In Oudeschans, you can stroll past historic houses and over the remains of the old fortifications. The village is small, quiet and, precisely because of this, particularly charming. Take your time, wander around a bit and discover just how much history fits into a few streets.
-
Museum Klooster Ter Apel
Ter Apel | Tucked away amongst ancient woods lies one of the Netherlands’ most remarkable medieval monasteries. Stroll through the cloister, peek inside the old chambers and discover how the Canons Regular lived here centuries ago. Afterwards, you can simply walk straight into the woods. Here, history and nature literally lie side by side.
-
MOW | Museum Westerwolde
Bellingwolde | A museum that looks beyond its own walls. The MOW in Bellingwolde connects art with the landscape and the stories of Westerwolde. With changing exhibitions, there is always something new to see. A lovely stop-off for anyone who likes to look at their surroundings from a slightly different perspective.
Veenkoloniën
Water runs like a common thread through the Veenkoloniën. Along canals and endless ribbon villages, you’ll discover a region that grew in importance through peat, shipping and agriculture. From here, captains sailed across the world, whilst hard work went on ashore. You can still see traces of that history everywhere. But there’s also plenty of space to get out and about.
Borgerswold
Veendam | Fancy getting out and about? In Borgerswold, you’ve got plenty of space. Walk or cycle through the countryside, head for the water or opt for something a bit more active. This vast recreational area on the outskirts of Veendam is the sort of place where you can easily end up staying a few hours longer than planned.
Read more
Museumspoorlijn STAR
Stadskanaal | Hop on, doors shut and off we go! At Museumspoorlijn STAR , you’ll travel along the old railway line between Stadskanaal and Veendam. The sound of the locomotive, the old carriages and the stations along the way make the journey just as enjoyable as the destination. A nostalgic journey right through the peat-colonial landscape.
Read more
Heemtuin & Tussen de Venen Nature Park
Muntendam | Woodland, heathland, water and peatlands come together in this green corner of the Veenkoloniën. Stroll along the paths, look out for plants and animals, and discover how the landscape here has evolved over the centuries. A lovely place to slow down for a while and experience nature up close.
Read more
-
Veenkoloniaal Museum
Veendam | Ships from Veendam once sailed far and wide across the world’s oceans. How was that possible from a town in the heart of Groningen? You can find out at the Veenkoloniaal Museum. Stap into the story of peat cutters, farmers, captains and entrepreneurs, and discover how the Veenkoloniën developed into a region brimming with activity.
-
Kapiteinshuis Nieuwe Pekela
Nieuwe Pekela | Stap over the threshold and you’ll suddenly find yourself in the nineteenth century. The Kapiteinshuis shows how a sea captain and his family lived in Nieuwe Pekela. The rooms are furnished with furniture and objects from that era. It’s as if the captain might return home at any moment from a long voyage.
-
De Langeleegte learning and sports park
Veendam | For many football fans, the name Veendam is still synonymous with the Langeleegte. SC Veendam played professional football here for many years, and a great many legendary matches were contested here. The stadium still stands and forms the beating sporting heart of an area brimming with activity.
