Holiday apartment in Roodeschool – A dike village with history and culture

Roodeschool combines a distinctive village history with an unusually diverse range of cultural traces. The village originally developed during the 17th century as a dike village. From 1718 onward, a dike constructed across an extensive salt meadow area created the Oostpolder, leaving the village protected. Since the end of the 19th century, Roodeschool developed the character of a ribbon village as buildings along the road became increasingly dense. By choosing a holiday apartment in Roodeschool, you are opting for a place whose history is closely connected with dike construction, settlement development and the course of its roads.

Holiday apartment in Roodeschool with rail connection as part of your trip

The railway is also part of Roodeschool’s development. The railway line between Roodeschool and Eemshaven was extended by three kilometres, and the station in Roodeschool was relocated to a new site. The train from Groningen via Roodeschool continues directly to Eemshaven. If you include Groningen and Eemshaven in your travel plans, this connection can be incorporated as a practical element in various excursion ideas. This means Roodeschool remains interesting not only for its historic buildings, but also as a starting point for a trip connecting the village, city and harbour region.

Cycling between junctions and the dike landscape

For active days on holiday, Roodeschool is connected to the cycle junction network. There is also a connection to the nationwide LF-10 cycle route 1,500 metres outside the village. In the wider Groningen context, the LF Coastal Route runs for 610 kilometres over, along and behind the Dutch dike; around 90 kilometres of it pass through Groningen. In Groningen, the route connects the two natural areas of Lauwersmeer and Dollard. The different route lengths allow you to consider short explorations around the village and extended cycling days as different planning options, without a single tour length having to determine your stay.

Architecture from several periods

A notable example of the village’s architectural history is the building at M.H. Trompstraat 13. It is a former residence with a bakery, shop and attached shed dating from 1934. The building was constructed in a regional variation of the Amsterdam School style and is considered a well-preserved example of a 1930s village shop because of its cultural and architectural-historical value. The Gereformeerde kerk (Vrijgemaakt) stands at Hooilandseweg 82, a building from 1871 with a T-shaped floor plan. The Gereformeerde kerk at Hooilandseweg 75, by contrast, is a traditional hall church with a massive tower. This architectural diversity is complemented by the building at Hooilandseweg 21: a relatively well-preserved Groningen cross-house with decorative elements in the eclectic style and an attached rear house.

Art, ceramics and organ building in Roodeschool

Roodeschool can also be explored through its craft and artistic themes. Orgelmakerij Steendam is located in the village and has been building, modifying, restoring and renovating organs there since 1986. In its workshop, objects can be viewed and handled. LITI Galerie / Linda Bouter Art is housed in the former public primary school in Roodeschool. Ceramics, paintings, mixed-media works and poems by Linda Bouter and Tiny Bouter-Snijders are displayed there. In the ceramics workshop, you can view working processes as well as tools, a kiln, clay roller and potter’s wheel. For families with different interests, this creates a varied combination of architecture, visible craftsmanship and art that can be explored in a tranquil village setting.

Other places for your travel plans

You can also discover these places as part of your further travel plans: Eemshaven, Uithuizen, Warffum, Uithuizermeeden, Oudeschip.

For the higher-level travel overview: Eemsmond.