Holiday apartment in Roosendaal: discover cycling routes, nature and history

Roosendaal combines water-rich landscapes, diverse routes and a surprising amount of history. Streams and canals run through the surrounding area, while the polders begin to the north.

Cycling through landscape and history

Cyclists will find 30 varied cycling routes in Roosendaal, as well as a node network that allows you to plan your own tours. The cultural cycling routes focus on peat extraction, the history of smuggling, the Catholic past and the history of the church villages around Wouw. The Vier dorpen fietsroute passes the four church villages of the former municipality of Wouw, as well as historic buildings and areas.

The Kees Keijzerroute Wouw also combines exercise and culture: it passes works of art and various beautiful buildings in Wouw. Another historic trace is the Zoom. This 13.5-kilometre-long, low-lying watercourse flows past Wouwse Plantage as the Spillebeek and De Zoom. In the past, the Zoom was used to transport peat to the port of Bergen op Zoom. At one point along the Route van de Turf, you can also find the sculpture “Blossom” by Ronald Westerhuis.

Hiking, nature and different daily rhythms

Roosendaal has more than 20 hiking trails. Natuurpoort Visdonk is a starting point for hiking, cycling, mountain biking and horse-riding tours through Landgoed Visdonk. The estate combines historic avenues, old hedgerows, forests, heathlands and the Rozenven. The Drevenroute in Visdonk is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users.

The woodland of Wouwse Plantage is an important breeding area for honey buzzards and black woodpeckers. The Waterwandelroute includes six poems from the Roosendaalse Gedichtenroute; at the relevant location, a numbered sign with a QR code points to the route.

Churches, castles and museums

The history of the region is particularly evident in Wouw. The Lambertuskerk is a large late-Gothic church from the early 16th century. At the Vesting Kasteel van Wouw, four-metre-high earthen ramparts trace the contours of the former castle complex. A modern access bridge leads to the former castle grounds, where the old castle has been partially restored and reinstated. The oldest part of the Vesting Kasteel van Wouw belongs to the old castle, which was built between 1250 and 1300.

The development of Wouwse Plantage can also be traced through specific locations. In 1870, a church was built near the estate and brickworks of P. J. Baron de Caters. It formed the centre of the new Pindorp, which later acquired the name Wouwse Plantage. There, the Brandweermuseum displays seven historic fire engines, as well as other exhibits used to extinguish fires. A visit can be arranged by appointment through VVV Roosendaal.

At the Tongerlohuys, the Verhalenbank preserves personal memories of Roosendaal. The Historische Collectie Korps Commandotroepen presents the history of the commandos during their international deployments. Together with Molen De Arend, this creates a broad spectrum spanning regional everyday life, military history and historic technology. The mill dates from 1811 and was rebuilt after a fire in 1825. A free guided tour is offered at Molen De Arend.

Local themes and culinary experiences

The Roosendaalse bierwandeling presents the history of beer brewing in Roosendaal, particularly around the old market. In special beer cafés, you can taste beer under the guidance of a beer expert. The mill shop sells flour, bloem, seeds, as well as bread mixes and baking mixes. Seasonal cooking workshops and tastings are offered in the kitchen.

Getting to Roosendaal

Those arriving by train at Roosendaal station can reach the centre in about 10 minutes on foot, take the bus or use an OV-Fiets rental bicycle. Roosendaal can be reached by car via the A17 or A58.

In Wouwse Plantage, the woodland covers approximately 900 hectares and includes various types of forest.

For the overarching travel overview: North Brabant.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Boxmeer, Waalre, Best, Sint-Oedenrode, Bernheze, Laarbeek.