Discover Borne: Oud Borne and Textile History

Oud Borne preserves a historic layout with numerous national and municipal monuments and has been designated a protected village heritage area since 1991. Many monuments in Borne are so close together that visitors can create their own walking route.

Oud Borne and the History of the Textile Industry

Around 1675, Borne was the most important centre of the linen trade in Twente. The Bussemakerhuis Museum presents the history of the development of the Twente textile industry. At the same time, it is the only surviving 18th-century textile manufacturer's house in the Netherlands. Another testament to this era is the Spanjaardgemaal, also known as the Watermachientje. During the textile era, it pumped water from the Deurningerbeek and conveyed it to Spanjaard's textile factory, where the water was used, among other things, to wash and bleach linen.

The restored Spanjaardgemaal, or Watermachientje, features an activation button, viewing openings, a video, a drinking-water tap and a bench by the water. The Bornse Synagogue was also ceremonially inaugurated in 1843 on the initiative of Salomon Spanjaard and serves as a cultural centre with exhibitions, concerts, lectures and courses. The Oude Kerk was built approximately between 1420 and 1515; its tower can be visited by groups of up to 15 people by appointment. Borne also has two Klopjeswoningen, historic homes associated with the Kloppen, that have been preserved.

Walks, Cycling Routes and Special Places

Those who want to explore Borne on foot will find several different ways to discover the local history. The Gidsen Oud Borne offer tailor-made guided tours of Oud Borne by appointment throughout the year. The 3.8-kilometre De Rode Draad route passes almost the entire textile heritage of Borne. The length of 3.8 kilometres provides a concrete framework for planning a walk through Borne's textile heritage. There are also local walking and cycling routes, available from, among others, VVV Borne. The grounds of the Meijershof are open to walkers and occasionally serve as a stage for open-air theatre.

The Borns Onderonsje offers another way to find your bearings. You can scan a QR code, find the nearest location on a map and listen to location-specific audio fragments there. The NS walking route Twentse beken runs from Almelo railway station to Borne railway station.

Holiday apartment in Borne for independent holiday days

If culture is the focus, Oud Borne, the Bussemakerhuis, the synagogue, the Oude Kerk and the Klopjeswoningen offer several different themes. For active days, the De Rode Draad route, the Twentse beken walk and local walking and cycling routes offer different focal points. Borne can also be reached by train, bus, on foot or by bicycle.

Discover more destinations

If you would like to look at other places for your travel planning in addition to Borne, you can find Zenderen and Hertme here.

To the higher-level travel overview: Borne.