Holiday apartment in Driehuizen between polders and water

Driehuizen is located on the Schermereiland, on the boundary between Polder L and the Eilandspolder, between open polderland and the water-rich Eilandspolder area. Driehuizen was established around 1600 on the edge of the Schermereiland and the former Schermeer, which is now called the Schermer Ring Canal.

Between open polderland and water

The protected Eilandspolder, where Driehuizen is located, covers 1,950 hectares and consists of one quarter water. This landscape is home to meadow birds such as black-tailed godwits, lapwings and oystercatchers, as well as rare marsh birds such as bitterns and Savi’s warblers; spoonbills can also be observed there in spring. Alongside the open polder areas, the high proportion of water is a defining feature of the landscape. Here, the village setting is connected to a landscape in which bodies of water and open polders closely belong together.

The character of Driehuizen is defined by winding dikes, polders, windmills and authentic Stolp farmhouses. The area around Driehuizen was better drained between 1633 and 1635 through the construction of windmills. De Wester windmill was probably built as early as 1625. The windmills are therefore part of both the village scene and the history of drainage.

Walking, cycling and historical traces

Driehuizen is a starting point for several signposted circular walks belonging to the Laag-Holland walking network. Walks lead through quiet streets and past listed buildings. When cycling in Driehuizen, the routes cross dikes and winding polder roads through the village and the surrounding countryside. Along the routes, quiet village streets alternate with open stretches of polder landscape.

Two cycling routes also combine exercise with regional history. The 47-kilometre Leeghwater Route passes through Driehuizen and runs over dikes, along canals and through polder villages. The Haring- en Hennep cycling route also passes through Driehuizen and provides historical information through various text and image panels. The Leeghwater Route focuses on dikes, canals and polder villages. The Haring- en Hennep cycling route, by contrast, places historical information on text and image panels at the forefront. The two routes therefore differ in their landscapes and historical information.

Water experiences in the Eilandspolder

The Eilandspolder Route starts and ends at Driehuizen 13, 1844 KL Driehuizen. Landschap Noord-Holland regularly organises guided boat trips through the Eilandspolder, departing from Driehuizen. A trip through the Eilandspolder offers the chance to experience the expansive polderland and village life from the water. The route and the excursions each incorporate their fixed connection to Driehuizen in their own way. This makes it possible to explore Driehuizen on foot, by bicycle and on the water as part of the Eilandspolder.

More destinations for regional orientation

For further regional orientation, you may also consider Koedijk, Schermerhorn, Oudorp, Stompetoren and Alkmaar.

For the overarching travel overview: Alkmaar.