Drechterland? Not the first place that springs to mind for everyone. And that’s just as well. Because it’s precisely here that surprises are waiting to be discovered. A dyke that has stood the test of time for centuries, villages steeped in old West Frisian heritage and even a venue where The Beatles once took to the stage. Yes, really.
Drechterland It doesn’t shout for attention. Nor does it need to. You’ll find the most beautiful spots here amongst the dykes, villages, thatched farmhouses and polders. Between Hoorn and Enkhuizen , there are a surprising number of places that are well worth a detour from the main road. These are our seven favourites.
- West Frisian Omringdijk: water on one side, polder on the other
- Beatles Monument: a world-famous attraction in Oosterblokker
- De Uiterdijk: sand, wind and water at Schellinkhout
- Langhuis Oosterleek: take a look inside an old West Frisian house
- De Stofmolen: paid for with stuivers
- Hoogkarspel: traditional farmhouses, history and a tower rising above it all
- Drachterveld: a water-rich landscape amongst the polders
1. West Frisian Omringdijk: water on one side, polder on the other
To really understand ‘ Drechterland ’, you really need to head up onto the dyke first. The West Frisian Omringdijk winds its way for 126 kilometres around historic Westfriesland. Centuries ago, several smaller dykes were merged into a single, sturdy flood defence.
Drechterland features a stunning stretch of the West Frisian Omringdijk running past Schellinkhout, Wijdenes and Oosterleek. It is particularly along this stretch that you can really appreciate how the dyke shapes the landscape: on one side lies the Markermeer, whilst on the other, polders, ditches and villages stretch out. Thirteen polder mills once stood along this section of the dyke to keep the land behind them dry. Of these, only De Grote Molen near Schellinkhout remains. Hop on a bike or go for a walk. With the wind in your hair, of course. That’s simply part of the experience here. We cycled the stretch between Schellinkhout and Oosterleek, and it’s precisely there that you realise just how high the dyke actually is above the surrounding land.
All that cycling, walking and exploring is sure to work up an appetite. That’s just as well. Restaurant Oase is tucked away behind the dyke in Schellinkhout, near Hoornse Hop. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and relaxed. In spring and summer, you can take a seat on the terrace. The kitchen specialises in seasonal dishes and changing specialities. We thought the flatbread with butter chicken was definitely worth cycling a little further for.
- When can you go inside De Grote Molen? Not every day, mind you. De Grote Molen opens a few times a year during mill days and events, but even just from the outside, this mill is well worth a visit.
- Restaurant Oase is a lovely place to stop off on the West Frisian Omringdijk. Oase is open from Wednesday to Sunday. At the weekend, you can visit from 11.00 am.
- Take a look at Restaurant Oase’s menu in advance.
Restaurant Oase: Dorpsweg 146a, 1697 KJ Schellinkhout
2. Beatles Monument: a world-famous attraction in Oosterblokker
Liverpool, London, New York… and Oosterblokker. That’s right. On 6 June 1964, The Beatles took to the stage here not once, but twice. And what’s more, they performed at the ‘Op Hoop van Zegen’ auction hall, where fruit and vegetables were normally traded. These were the only two live concerts The Beatles ever gave in the Netherlands.
The fact that Westfriesland made it onto the tour itinerary at all was largely down to organiser Ben Essing. He had previously brought major artists such as Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and Jacques Brel to the West Frisian village. And so he managed to do the same with the biggest band of the time. The crowd screamed, surged forwards and some visitors even fainted. Beatlemania, but right there amongst the West Frisian auction crates.
Today, the Beatles monument serves as a reminder of that rather special day. The monument, erected in 1999, stands right amongst the houses on Oosterblokker: a piece of international pop history. The information panels tell you more about the concerts and the thousands of fans who flocked to this village in Drechterland at the time. You didn’t expect that, did you? You can visit the Beatles monument every day. As it’s situated on a busy road, the best place to park is at the care centre just round the corner. You’ll find the car park at Gildenweg 33 in Blokker.
Oosterblokker 1, Oosterblokker
Visit the Beatles Monument
Stay overnight in Drechterland
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The Appelhoek
The Appelhoek
De Appelhoek is situated on the Westfriese Omringdijk, right by the Markermeer. You can stay at the campsite, in an apartment or a holiday cottage. Surrounded by cows, water and the dyke. Just good land, with a view to boot.
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Oosterleek Hotel Cottages
Oosterleek Hotel Cottages
At Hotelhuisjes Oosterleek, you’ll stay in a detached cottage surrounded by greenery, with the polder, animals and the Markermeer nearby. You’ll have your own bathroom, terrace and seating area. Breakfast is brought to you in the morning – now that’s a way to wake up.
3. De Uiterdijk: sand, wind and water near Schellinkhout
Take off your shoes. Dip your toes in the sand. The Uiterdijk is situated outside the dykes on the Markermeer near Schellinkhout. In this nature reserve, you’ll find a large stretch of grassland where waterbirds and meadow birds flit about. Ready to get out into nature? Then take the Uiterdijk route. This 7.8-kilometre circular walk takes you along the West Frisian Omringdijk and through Schellinkhout.
At De Uiterdijk, you’ll also find a lovely little sandy beach. It’s a great spot on warm days. When there’s enough wind, the surfers turn up of their own accord. Do you enjoy getting out on the water? At KiteFEEL, you can learn to kitesurf in the shallow bay near Schellinkhout. You can also book wingfoil, windsurfing and parakite lessons there. Let that adrenaline rush through your body!
- The Uiterdijk is easily accessible by bike or car. Parking is available at the leisure area. On site, you’ll also find a Tourist Transfer Point with information on walking and cycling routes in the surrounding area.
- On warm days, you can go for a swim at the sandy beach at De Uiterdijk. Surfers have their own section of the beach and water, so that swimmers and water sports enthusiasts do not get in each other’s way.
- Fancy learning to kitesurf? Book a lesson in advance with KiteFEEL. The shallow bay makes Schellinkhout ideal for beginners. The surf centre has changing rooms, toilets and hot showers. Lessons are subject to wind conditions.
KiteFEEL: Dorpsweg 124, Schellinkhout
4. Langhuis Oosterleek: take a look inside an old West Frisian house
In the small village of Oosterleek stands a house that has been around for a couple of centuries. Langhuis Oosterleek is an 18th-century farmhouse and a rare West Frisian longhouse. In the past, people used to live and work here under the same roof. It was certainly not a large farm. The barn had room for just three animals. Over the years, it was home to farming families who made their living from livestock farming, as well as residents involved in herring fishing in the North Sea.
This listed building has been restored whilst preserving its historical details. Inside, painted doors and walls, box beds and an old rainwater well still serve as reminders of life in days gone by. And the best bit? You can even stay the night there these days. Even the historic box bed has been preserved. So, after taking in all that heritage, you don’t have to head straight back home. You can simply stay the night! The house is therefore not a conventional museum. You can take a look inside during a special open day or when you stay overnight via Hendrick de Keyser Monumenten.
Oosterleek 39, 1609 GA Oosterleek
Take a look at this traditional longhouse
5. De Stofmolen: paid for with stuivers
There are plenty of windmills in Westfriesland. But De Stofmolen in Wijdenes has a name that calls for an explanation. Apparently, the original mill was paid for with stuivers. This gave rise to the nickname ‘stuivertjesmolen’. That name later evolved into Stofmolen. Saves a few syllables, after all.
The current Stofmolen is a corn mill and a listed building. It stands firmly on Molenweg in the open West Frisian countryside. Combine your visit with a cycle ride or walk through Wijdenes and towards the Omringdijk. Would you like to take a look inside? Then check in advance when the mill is open. You can always have a quick look from the outside whilst on your route, but visiting the interior is by appointment only: there are no fixed opening hours.
Molenweg 1, 1608 EC Wijdenes
Come and visit the windmill
Make a weekend of it
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Landal Wijdenes
Landal Wijdenes
Stay in one of the luxury lodges at Landal Wijdenes. Only the West Frisian Omringdijk separates the Markermeer from this holiday park. Hire a bike and set off on an adventure, or simply watch the children play in the playground.
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GardenGood Bonatèr
GardenGood Bonatèr
Enjoy the peace and quiet at TuinGoed Bonatèr in Venhuizen. This is the perfect spot for a camping trip amidst the natural beauty of Westfriesland. Pitch your tent and park your bike on the hikers’ field, bring your caravan to the campsite, or spend the night in a unique yurt.
6. Hoogkarspel: traditional farmhouses, history and a tower rising above it all
Hoogkarspel doesn’t show off its best side in just one spot. To see it all, follow the Streekweg. It is precisely the combination of the old village street, the thatched farmhouses and the water tower that makes this a lovely place to see old and new Westfriesland side by side. Along the Streekweg you’ll find listed farmhouses, St Laurentius Church and the nearly fifty-metre-high water tower dating from 1930. It towers above everything else, so you won’t have to look far to find it. In the past, the tower ensured sufficient pressure in the water supply network. Nowadays, it is primarily a striking feature of the village landscape.
Fancy staying a little longer? On the same Streekweg you’ll find Het Kerspel, a listed farmhouse where you can now stay overnight. The former dairy farm has three guest rooms: the Pronkkamer, Kaaskamer and Melkkamer. In the morning, a delicious à la carte breakfast is brought to your room, and in the evening the hot tub is ready for you. Old West Frisian on the outside, comfortable on the inside.
Het Kerspel: Streekweg 64, 1616 AL Hoogkarspel
Staying at Het Kerspel
7. Drachterveld: a water-rich landscape amongst the polders
At first glance, the Drachterveld polder area is simply lovely and green. Water meanders between walking and cycling paths, and all around you can see for miles across the West Frisian countryside. The area lies between Oosterblokker and Westwoud and is a lovely place to leave the hustle and bustle behind for a while. But make no mistake: this landscape now has a tough job to do. The water storage area covers some 22 hectares and can hold 220,000 cubic metres of water during extreme rainfall.
You can go walking, cycling and boating there. Along the way, you’ll see reeds, open water and plenty of birds. Precisely because the area is so open, a trip here feels spacious and peaceful, whilst Hoorn and Enkhuizen are not far away. A striking line of sight draws your gaze straight towards De Krijgsman windmill in Oosterblokker. At this mill, you can enjoy lunch, high tea or some treats from the artisan bakery.
- Access: You can reach Drachterveld via the Wijzenddijkje. Walkers and cyclists can also get there from Oosterblokker via the railway tunnel.
- Walking and cycling paths criss-cross the area. There is also a waterway route through Drachterveld, forming part of the link between Hoorn and Enkhuizen.
- Feel free to bring your dog, but please keep it on a lead on the paths and roads.
- De Krijgsman Windmill is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 8.00 am to 3.00 pm.
Parking at Drachterveld: Pennekamplaan 61, Oosterblokker
Frequently asked questions about the most beautiful spots in Drechterland
In ‘ Drechterland ’, the best bits are mainly to be found between the villages. Cycle along the West Frisian Omringdijk, admire windmills and traditional farmhouses, or head to the Markermeer near Schellinkhout. And then, in Oosterblokker, there’s even a monument to The Beatles, just like that. Plenty of reasons, then, to head there. Find more tips for a day out at Drechterland.
Absolutely. In fact, the ‘ Drechterland ’ is perhaps best experienced by bike. You’ll cycle past polders, ribbon villages, windmills and the Markermeer. A lovely stretch takes you along the West Frisian Omringdijk past Schellinkhout, Wijdenes and Oosterleek. You can find more inspiration under ‘Cycling in Westfriesland’.
After all that cycling and sightseeing, it’s time for a bite to eat. Restaurant Oase in Schellinkhout is situated behind the dyke on the Hoornse Hop and makes for a lovely stop on a tour of Drechterland. Eetcafé 't Ken Net is also highly recommended, with something to suit everyone’s taste. Fancy a bit more choice? Take a look at the restaurants and other places to eat in Westfriesland.