Discover Zelhem: Nature, Trails and History

Zelhem combines local history, woodland landscapes and trails with a wide variety of experiences. Around Smedekinck and the Lambertikerk, you will encounter traces of the past; in the surrounding area, routes lead through forests, meadows and waterscapes.

History at Smedekinck and the Lambertikerk

The Smedekinck farmstead has been mentioned since 1341 as a fief of the monastery in Werden (Germany), founded by Ludger. Since 2007, the restored Smedekinck farm complex and its barns have housed a permanent exhibition, regularly changing exhibitions and themed days. The Smedekinck Museum provides insights into the region's history and the way of life of Zelhem's inhabitants over the centuries. Today, the Ludgerkerkje stands at the Smedekinck Museum in Zelhem. It is a reconstruction, as faithful to the original as possible, of the chapel that was built on the site of the present-day Lambertikerk.

The Lambertikerk is a late Gothic pseudo-basilica with a 3/8-closed choir and a west tower, originally of Romanesque origin. After collapsing in 1662, it was rebuilt. During excavations carried out while repairing severe war damage in 1949–1950, the remains of an 11th-century Romanesque basilica with three apses were found at the Lambertikerk. The Coopsmolen / Nieuwe Molen is also part of Zelhem's history: it was built in 1818 and dismantled in 1939. On 30 June, it turned in Zelhem for the first time in more than 80 years. Zelhem was also home to a woman named Smoks Hanne.

Forests, trails and landscapes around Zelhem

North of Zelhem lies the 't Zand nature reserve, covering approximately 230 hectares and consisting mainly of coniferous forest. The Het Zandroute leads from Zelhem through the woodland of the 't Zand estate towards Ruurlo. It follows avenues and forest paths before the wooded surroundings give way to a varied cultural landscape with extensive meadows. The Um de Beltroute leads through the area around Zelhem; the Langenberg, which it reaches, is a former landfill site and is now a nature reserve with walking trails. The Zelhem Nordic Walking route starts in the village centre and leads over the Langenberg.

The Klaapsinkroute leads through the area around Zelhem, along bodies of water, ditches, meadows, fields and forests. In the village, the Tegelroute Zelhem is approximately 1.5 kilometres long and passes 17 large granite photo plaques. The granite plaques are located on pavements at historic sites in the village of Zelhem and each measure 50 × 50 centimetres. The Tegelroute Zelhem is a wheelchair- and walking-frame-friendly walking route; laser-engraved photos and brief descriptions take you back into the past.

Water and regional tradition

For a different kind of day out, Zwembad De Brink has a deep pool at 31 °C, a family pool at 30.5 °C, a whirlpool, a toddler pool and a paddling pool with a large yellow slide. At the Muldersfluite on Zelhemseweg 44 between Hengelo and Zelhem, rye bread is traditionally weighed on Ascension Day.

Other places in the surrounding area

For further orientation, you can also find Olburgen, Baak, Steenderen, Toldijk, Hummelo, Wichmond, Hengelo and Bronckhorst here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bronckhorst.