Waardamme: Village History, Stream Landscape and Forest

Waardamme can be explored through two specific holiday interests: its well-preserved village centre and trails through stream and woodland landscapes. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Waardamme, you can use these interests to shape your plans: would you rather focus on local history, or explore hiking and nature?

Streams and gentle changes in elevation

Near the village centre, the Velddambeek was restored to a meandering course in the stream valley near Sijslostraat. The gently rolling landscape ranges from around 10 metres above sea level in the Waardammebeek valley to around 17 metres to the west and east, towards Veldhoek and Kampveld respectively. Both the stream valley and the slight variations in elevation shape the landscape.

The 294-hectare Kampveld estate forest consists of four sections: Rooiveld, Kampveld, Papenvijvers and Nieuwenhove. Forests, grasslands and marshes alternate here, and two naturally meandering streams run through the area. By contrast, the Velddambeek near Sijslostraat is a restored watercourse. These distinct features of the waterways give nature lovers specific points of reference for the landscape they would like to explore in Waardamme.

Hiking in Doeveren and to the play forest

You are free to hike on the trails in Doeveren. The signposted Doeveren walking route leads through the area and across Merkemveldbos; it crosses the Kerkebeek on its way to Doeveren. Another trail option is a path that leads from the centre of Waardamme along the stream to a large play forest. This gives you several specific destinations for a day of hiking: the trails in Doeveren, the forest section of the route and the play forest at the end of the path.

The signposted Doeveren route leads through Merkemveldbos; from the centre, a path follows the stream to the play forest. When planning your days away, you can decide whether to focus on the signposted route and its forest section or on the path from the centre to the play forest.

Village centre and architectural history

Dorpsplein is part of a well-preserved village centre. Its current layout, with the nearby parish church of Saint Blaise (Sint-Blasius), the partly preserved cemetery and the former presbytery, dates back to the 18th-century setting. Sint-Blasius Parish Church is a classical-style, orientated cruciform church; its construction phases date from the second half of the 18th century and the 19th century.

The grounds of Sint-Blasius Church feature a preserved Way of the Cross in honour of Saint Blaise, with two stations. A late Gothic Calvary image from the 16th century is also mounted on the west facade of the north transept. Another aspect of the church’s history is its use as a military hospital during the First World War: from November 1917 to May 1918, the church served this purpose.

Waardamme’s religious history also goes back a long way, though with a caveat. A document from 961 mentions a chapel in Waardamme, which may be the oldest recorded place of worship in the village. De Smet later judged the document to be a forgery. This cautious qualification is therefore part of the account.

The former presbytery of Sint-Blasius Parish dates from the 18th century. The detached, two-unit house has five bays and two storeys beneath a hipped roof covered with black tiles. Kasteel Doeveren lies to the north-west of Waardamme and also dates back to the 18th century. The presbytery and Kasteel Doeveren add two examples from the 18th century to the picture of Waardamme’s architectural history.

Cycling network and bike rentals

Sijslostraat is part of the interlocal functional cycling route network. Five rental bikes are available in Waardamme at the covered bicycle parking facility on Rooveldplein. Check availability before your trip. If cycling is part of your holiday plans, these are specific options alongside the hiking trails and historic village centre.

Discover more destinations: Hertsberge, Ruddervoorde.

Back to the main travel overview: Oostkamp.