Holiday apartment in Veenhuizen: history, trails and regional delicacies

Veenhuizen combines the history of its former prison village with signposted trails, the landscape and regional products.

History and culture in Veenhuizen

Veenhuizen was established in 1823 with three institutions, each intended for 1,200 residents. Until 1983, the village was a closed, self-sufficient prison village.

The Nationaal Gevangenismuseum is located in Veenhuizen’s preserved Second Institution. The permanent exhibition covers the history of Dutch criminal law and the history of Veenhuizen.

The Boevenbus and the historical tour differ in format. The Boevenbus passes prisons such as Esserheem and Norgerhaven as well as monumental buildings in Veenhuizen. A historical tour with a heritage guide starts at Bitter en Zoet on Sundays, presents the history of Veenhuizen and passes several monuments and numerous points of interest.

The restoration workshop and museum for grave drums in Veenhuizen displays special tools and explains their use. It restores grave drums and exhibits them so that this tradition does not disappear.

Trails, raised bog and cycling experiences

A rationally planned landscape developed around the institutions, differing from the Fochtelooërveen and the esdorp landscape. The Fochteloërveen, one of the last raised bog areas in Western Europe, lies nearby. Hiking and cycling trails run through the area around the Fochteloërveen.

The signposted Gesticht Route Veenhuizen – Blue Route leads through Veenhuizen, is 2.2 kilometres long and is marked with blue posts. At 2.2 kilometres, it is considerably shorter than the 20-kilometre hike through the Slokkert valley.

The 20-kilometre hike leads from Veenhuizen through the Slokkert valley, past the Spanish Cemetery and streams, and through forests to Norg and back to Veenhuizen.

The Ooggetuigenroute Veenhuizen can be explored on foot or by bicycle and comprises ten video stories based on conversations with eyewitnesses. A theatrical audio trail also leads through Veenhuizen on foot or by bicycle. The Ooggetuigenroute uses video stories, while the other route takes the form of a theatrical audio experience. Tourist Info Veenhuizen provides extensive information about hiking and cycling routes; various types of bicycles are also available for rent there.

Regional delicacies and garden culture

At Bierbrouwerij MAALLUST, visitors can experience the brewing process and taste its specialty beers. The brewery is located in a former grain mill. De Tuinen van Weldadigheid grows vegetables, potatoes, fruit and herbs in Veenhuizen and holds a market for edible plants on the third Sunday in May. The two offerings have different focuses: the brewery is about the brewing process and specialty beers, while De Tuinen focuses on cultivation and edible plants.

Discover more places

Een, Westervelde, Een-West, Peest, Roderesch, Zuidvelde, Roderwolde, Alteveer

For the overarching travel overview: Noordenveld.