Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

The 77-hectare Sophiapolder nature island lies in the tidal river Noord near Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht. Since 2011, after the dyke was breached, it has been a nature area shaped by the changing tides. A free passenger ferry to Sophiapolder departs from Veersedijk 301; parking is also available there. On the island, a visitor centre provides information about Sophiapolder, its history and the animals found there. There is also a café and toilets. With a little attentiveness, visitors can spot, among others, grey plovers, redshanks, shelducks, greenshanks and spoonbills.

Nature and landscape

The 95-hectare Sandelingen-Ambacht recreational area also presents the landscape around Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht in a different way. It preserves wide views across the open polder landscape. Tree-lined avenues reveal the layout of the old orchards, and benches are placed throughout the area. Several cycle paths connect Sandelingen-Ambacht with the surrounding municipalities; along the A16, a direct cycle route also runs between Ridderkerk and Zwijndrecht.

The Perenlaantje is a landscape feature in its own right. Almost 550 metres long, it forms an arch over a grass path with more than 1,100 pear trees. The Perenlaantje is the longest pear-tree avenue in the Netherlands. Since its restoration, the Perenlaantje and the surrounding area have been freely accessible to everyone.

Paths and water

The Waaltje is 8 kilometres long and runs from Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht to the Oude Maas. Boating is possible on the Waal, subject to the local navigation rules. The paths in the wider area include the Rotterdams Ommelandspad, a multi-part hiking trail around Rotterdam that passes through the Dorpsstraat.

In Baxpark, the Bomenroute passes 20 trees. It was designed as an educational tree trail and developed in cooperation with the municipal administration. The starting point is at the information board level with the skate track in the dog exercise area. The route thus links a specific sequence of trees to a marked location in the park.

History and culture

Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht has 10 national heritage monuments and 45 municipal monuments. Pruilenburg House is mentioned as early as before 1782 and has partially preserved interiors from the 18th century. Since 1825, the house has been used continuously as a doctor's residence. The country estate of Vreedenborg preserves further traces of the past: archaeological remains have been preserved on site and are intended to be safeguarded in the ground.

The BelevenisTafel offers a playful way to explore local history. It features exhibitions and stories about local art, Ambacht's oldest farm and the history of the flax industry. The individual topics thus bring together local history, farming traditions and a local trade without separating the historical traces from one another.

Activities for children

Jeugdspeelpark combines a petting zoo, a playground and an educational centre. It also offers various outdoor educational activities for children in grades 1 to 8. The Frelu-Stall is home to traditional Dutch cattle and sheep; the barn is open for recreational purposes. From the Frelu-Stall, pupils can take part in the educational programmes „Bij de boerensloot“ and „Ontdek het platteland“ accompanied by an IVN school guide.

Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht therefore brings together a variety of places: a nature island shaped by the changing tides, open polder areas, historic buildings, archaeological remains, waterways, tree trails and outdoor activities. More places on the portal: Dirksland, Westvoorne, Gouda, Bernisse, Hellevoetsluis, The Hague, Giessenlanden, Ridderkerk.

To the overarching travel overview: South Holland.