Holiday apartment in Griendtsveen – discover peat history and Peel nature

Griendtsveen is a place for travelers who want to discover the landscape and local history together. At the end of the 19th century, a settlement for peat extraction was established here at the initiative of private entrepreneur Van de Griendt. The protected village character preserves the largely historic spatial structure and the mostly historic architectural character of the village center. When choosing a holiday apartment in Griendtsveen, you can therefore consider whether you want your days to focus mainly on culture, walking trails or cycling tours.

From peat village to historic village character

The former Turfstrooiselfabriek in Griendtsveen is the last surviving remnant of the former factory complex used to process the peat extracted in Griendtsveen. It has important economic and cultural-historical significance. The former factory building was constructed around 1899 in the traditionalist architectural style. The former parsonage also tells the story of this era: the largely well-preserved, richly designed rectory from the late 19th century combines a traditionalist style with subtle influences of chalet-style architecture in the gables; the interior is also well preserved. For visitors interested in culture, this provides tangible points of connection with the local history.

Bridges, church and literary traces

The three Ophaalbruggen, built around 1905, are among the defining structures. They are of historical and architectural-historical significance for the development of the peat village, the typological development of drawbridges and the history of construction technology. Sint Barbara Church was built in 1895 to a design by Jac. van Groenendael Jr. in the traditionalist style. The grave of regional novelist Toon Kortooms is located in the cemetery of Sint Barbara Church.

Walking and cycling in the Peel

Griendtsveen also offers tangible opportunities for walks and cycling stages. The marked “Mariapeel (Day 2)” walking route crosses the Helenavaart in Griendtsveen. On the western side of Griendtsveen, you can walk from a car park along the railway line via the so-called Nonnenpad; the path was formerly used by members of the religious order from the convent in Griendtsveen. “Griendtsveen in het groen” is a 6.5 km junction walking route through the Peel nature reserve and the picturesque village of Griendtsveen. The three-kilometre Mussenkeetpad runs through the rugged Peel area and connects Leegveld, the canals and Griendtsveen. The different route lengths help you plan walks according to your desired duration. In addition, the “Wielrennen door de Peel en haar dorpen” cycling route passes through Griendtsveen.

Places to visit and landscape features

A guided tour of the former peat colony is offered in Griendtsveen and introduces visitors to the village’s peat-colony past; the houses of the Peel workers and the Apostelwoningen are visited during the tour. For further orientation within the landscape, Klein Kasteel is a castle, while Groot Kasteel and Kasteel Asten are ruins in the area around Griendtsveen; Kasteel van Meerlo is a castle in the wider regional surroundings. Vossenheuvel is a hill in the immediate vicinity, while Kempkensberg is a hill in the area around Griendtsveen. Startebos and De Hees are parks in the wider regional surroundings. Deurnsche Peel is a Natura 2000 site where rare raised-bog plants and animals, as well as their natural habitats, are protected. If you want to compare castles and ruins, there are different historical points of reference to choose from; those interested in landscape features will find other points of connection in the hills and parks.

Other places you can compare for your travel planning include America, Broekhuizen, Meerlo, Sevenum, Melderslo, Evertsoord, Horst and Lottum.

For the higher-level travel overview: Horst Aan De Maas.