Holiday apartment in Bernheze – discover nature and cultural heritage

Bernheze offers a remarkable combination of expansive nature, visible history and special excursion destinations. De Maashorst and its varied landscapes are central, as is Heeswijk Castle, with a history dating back to 1080, as well as places where the history of mills, monasteries and everyday life comes alive. There are also paths through green landscapes, atmospheric village centres and cultural heritage sites.

Nature and geology

De Maashorst is one of the largest contiguous nature areas in Noord-Brabant. The natural core is surrounded by landscapes as well as villages and residential areas belonging to the municipalities of Bernheze, Maashorst and Oss. Within this natural area, forests, heathlands, dunes, hollows and old avenues alternate. Archaeological evidence from the Early Iron Age, the Late Prehistoric period, Roman times and the Middle Ages remains visible in De Maashorst’s present-day landscape. De Maashorst can be explored on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.

A geological feature is the Peelrandbreuk fault, which runs through Bernheze. Information panels in the municipality explain the landscape and its geology. In addition, Bernheze has hiking and cycling routes through green landscapes, atmospheric village centres and special cultural heritage sites. In this way, landscape forms, geological themes and cultural-historical destinations come together along a variety of routes.

Culture and history

The history of Heeswijk Castle dates back to 1080. Its present appearance dates from 1835; the castle has also been designated a “Topmonument van Brabant”. Visitors can explore its halls, corridors, chambers, cellars and towers. The “Draaien voor de Prins” tradition is also associated with Kilsdonkse Molen. It originated during the Eighty Years’ War.

Kilsdonkse Molen is a unique combination of a grain mill powered by wind and water and a water-powered oil mill. It is the only Watervluchtmolen in the Netherlands. The Meierijsche Museumboerderij offers another perspective on regional history: it shows how people lived and worked on a farm in the Brabant Meierij between 1880 and 1930. The grounds and the farm are fully accessible to visitors with disabilities; the temporary exhibition in the attic is the exception.

Monastery and garden

The Abdijtuin is a well-maintained, vibrant garden with a particular focus on nature and biodiversity. It is freely accessible for walks and enjoying nature. At Abdij van Berne, the “Abdijrondleiding met proeverij” includes a guided tour of the abbey grounds, gardens and abbey church, as well as a tasting of various abbey beers.

A spiritually oriented route is the Kloosterrondwandeling Heeswijk-Dinther. The hiking trail is 10.4 kilometres long and focuses on 900 years of Norbertine spirituality in Heeswijk-Dinther.

Other experiences

In Vinkel, Sterrenwacht Halley is located in the part of the village that belongs to Bernheze. The observatory includes, among other things, three telescope domes, a planetarium, an auditorium, an exhibition room, a radio telescope and a 10-kilometre-long planetary trail. Sterrenwacht Halley also offers public lectures, planetarium shows, telescope observations and youth afternoons.

The performing arts also have a firm historical connection: Kunstkring De Kersouwe was founded on 16 November 1945 with the aim of staging open-air theatre in Heeswijk-Dinther.

Places and location

Bernheze is located near the A2, A50 and A59 motorways. The municipal area also includes Heeswijk-Dinther, Heesch, Nistelrode and Vorstenbosch.

To the higher-level travel overview: North Brabant.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Steenbergen, Deurne, Eersel, Rucphen.