Bielefeld: Nature, Culture and Discoveries
Accommodation in Bielefeld
In Bielefeld, nature experiences, a varied range of museums and places steeped in history come together. The Olderdissen Local Animal Park lies in the heart of the Teutoburg Forest; there is also a botanical garden, a sprawling recreational area and destinations for culture and knowledge enthusiasts. When choosing your holiday apartment, consider whether you would like to focus your stay on nature, cycling, family activities or museum visits.
Experience nature: animal park, garden and forest nature trail
Around 450 animals live at the Olderdissen Local Animal Park: 35 mammal species, 42 bird species and three fish species. The grounds cover about 16 hectares and lie in the heart of the Teutoburg Forest. The animal species and forest landscape give the visit a range of different themes. Those particularly interested in plants will find more than 3,000 different plant species in the Botanical Garden, which covers just over four hectares. The garden was laid out in 1912; at its centre stands a typical Westphalian half-timbered house dating from 1823.
Another way to experience nature is in the Upper Lutter Valley. The forest nature trail is just under 600 metres long and features six information boards about the history and individual habitats of this part of the Bielefeld valley. It is considered one of the first nature trails of its kind in Germany. Its short length and themed information boards make it a distinct option for anyone who would like to explore a specific section of the landscape.
Trails and recreation in the countryside
The Obersee/Johannisbach Valley recreational area covers around 310 hectares. It has walking and cycling trails, places to eat, mini golf and playgrounds. This mix offers a variety of reasons to spend time outdoors; playgrounds and mini golf may be of particular interest to families, alongside walking and cycling trails. The recreational cycling network in and around Bielefeld includes ten routes totalling more than 280 kilometres. Those who prefer to explore on foot can choose from walks in the Teutoburg Forest and along the Hermannsweg hiking trail. The options mentioned vary in focus, from cycling and walks to hikes.
Museums, hands-on activities and city history
The “Young Museum” at the Historical Museum is a participatory space for families, school classes, children and young people. The Wissenswerkstadt Bielefeld also focuses on interactive exhibitions; its partners include Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (HSBI), Bielefeld University and Welthaus Bielefeld. At the namu Geo-Stollen, visitors can explore the region’s geological processes, plate tectonics and global earthquake activity through interactive exhibits. Alongside traditional museum visits, there are also activities focused on participation and learning.
The Huelsmann Museum is housed in the former director’s villa of the Ravensberger Spinnerei textile mill. In addition to the permanent collection on display in the director’s villa, it hosts up to two special exhibitions a year. From Jahnplatz, the museum can be reached on bus routes 21, 22 and 29 to the “Ravensberger Park” stop. Ravensberger Park has become a place for culture, textile industry history, recreation and relaxation. The park was established in 1855 as the site of the Ravensberger Spinnerei textile mill and was listed as a historic monument in 1972 thanks to the efforts of local residents. Concerts, trade fairs and cultural festivals are regularly held there.
Further historical perspectives can be found at the Bielefeld Museum of Natural History and the Bielefeld Farmhouse Museum. The Museum of Natural History is housed in Spiegelshof, a manor house dating from 1540. The Farmhouse Museum comprises nine historic buildings and also features a permanent exhibition on rural life 150 years ago. Visitors can learn about historic crops such as Egyptian walking onions, pole and bush beans, and flax. When choosing a holiday apartment to suit your interests, you can weigh up nature and recreational activities, interactive discoveries and different ways of exploring history.
For further orientation: BielefeldBielefeld, EckardtsheimEckardtsheim.
For the overarching travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.
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