Discover Boekelo: Forest, Salt History and Railway

Boekelo combines a wooded landscape, salt history and railway heritage with cycling and hiking routes. It is also home to Military Boekelo-Enschede, featuring equestrian sport, the Herfst-Fair and the Military Classic Night-Fair. This makes it possible to experience nature, history, exercise, museums and events as different focal points during a stay.

Forest Area and Landscape Park

The Teesinkbos forest is home to 69 residences in a wooded setting. Both these 69 residences and the public space are protected. Landgoed De Weele covers approximately 45 hectares and is a landscape park with English influences on the outskirts of Boekelo. The size of the park and its English influences give De Weele a different landscape character from the wooded Teesinkbos. The contrast between De Weele’s English influences and the wooded Teesinkbos defines Boekelo’s landscape.

Salt History and Country House

The De Weele country house is a municipal monument built in 1912 on behalf of W.H. van Heek. Boekelo’s historical salt production is commemorated by preserved salt huts and a replica of the salt tower. Visitors interested in culture can explore the building’s history at the country house and salt production at the salt huts as two distinct historical themes. This means that the historical perspective is not limited to a single building.

Railway Attractions at the Station

At the Boekelo site of the Museum Buurtspoorweg, there are large model railways for children. The museum hall at Boekelo station also has a play carriage for the youngest children, with play tables and a mini cinema showing railway films. The railway attractions range from large models to a mini cinema with films.

Hiking and Cycling Around Boekelo

The “Rondom Boekelo” cycling route starts at junction 38 in the centre of Boekelo. It connects the natural surroundings of Boekelo with Boekelo’s industrial heritage. The 8 km “Wandeling om Boekelo en door Teesinklanden” hiking route leads around Boekelo and through Teesinklanden. The 8 km length provides a clear framework for planning the day’s hike. Hof te Boekelo lies southwest of the A35 and northwest of Boekelo and is suitable for hiking and cycling. This means that an active outing can include both a thematically connected cycling tour and a clearly defined hiking route. Anyone wishing to combine both forms of exercise can also include Hof te Boekelo, as hiking and cycling are expressly combined there. The cycling tour and the hike therefore offer different focal points for active days.

Military Boekelo-Enschede as the Event Highlight

Military Boekelo-Enschede is one of the largest equestrian events in the Netherlands. The cross-country competition on Saturday is the most spectacular part. The event also includes the Herfst-Fair and the Military Classic Night-Fair, where visitors can shop and discover new fashion and lifestyle trends. The cross-country competition provides a sporting focus, while the two fairs broaden the event with shopping and fashion and lifestyle trends. Including this event in your travel plans combines equestrian sport with market activities.

For further travel planning, you can also include Dorp Lonneker and Enschede in your orientation.

For the higher-level travel overview: Enschede.