Westland: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Westland landscape is shaped by the coast, dunes, waterways, greenhouse horticulture and a vibrant history. The coast and dunes of Westland are part of the Hollandse Duinen National Park. The Staelduinse Bos is also part of this national park and is suitable for walking. Among the trees are bunkers from the Second World War, including the living quarters of a German bunker village.

Nature and Water

A unique landscape lies off the coast of Ter Heijde: the Zandmotor is an artificial sand peninsula created to widen and strengthen the dunes naturally. Wind, waves and currents continually reshape its landscape. As a result, every walk or bike ride there offers a new experience.

Water also shapes the landscape at Prinsenbos in Naaldwijk. The recreational area consists largely of a lake with a narrow border of deciduous woodland. There is a walking route there, most of which is easily accessible by wheelchair. Four fishing spots and a dog beach are also available.

Westland has more than 90 kilometres of waterways. Today, they are used for recreation; in the past, they served to transport produce from the greenhouses. The waterway routes are signposted with junction signs, making it easier to find your way around the route network.

De Wollebrand is a green recreational area in the municipality of Westland, with meadows, woodland, open water and reeds. There are pleasant walks through the countryside, as well as a wakeboarding and water-skiing cableway.

History and Culture

The Westlands Museum conveys the history of Westland and its greenhouse horticulture. The museum includes a historic garden with trained fruit trees, old greenhouses and historic tools. There is also a play loft and a discovery trail for children.

Sonnehoeck has been recognised as a Rijksmonument since 2001. During a tour along the historic grape greenhouses, visitors can discover the world of the Westland grape. Another trace of the region’s history leads to the Heilige Geest Hofje with chapel in Naaldwijk. It was built between 1627 and 1636 on the orders of Frederik Hendrik, Prince of Orange and Lord of Naaldwijk. The western wing was intended for ten elderly women; the eastern wing contained ten apartments for elderly men and an eleventh infirmary.

The Bartholomeuskerk stands in Poeldijk, a neo-Gothic cruciform church consecrated in 1926. It was designed by the architect Nicolaas Molenaar Sr. and is also known as the “Cathedral of Westland”. The De Timmerwerf Museum is housed in a historic building dating from 1642. Services are still regularly held today at the Sint Lambertuskerkje in Heenweg.

Windmills are also part of the historic landscape. The present-day De Vier Winden mill in Monster was built in 1882 after the previous mill was destroyed by fire. When there is sufficient wind, Molen De Vier Winden can be seen in operation on Saturdays. During opening hours, it sells various flour and baking-mix products: pancake flour, whole-wheat flour, wheat flour, five-grain flour, spelt flour and several baking mixes.

The Korenmolen Windlust on Heulweg was built in 1869, is 27 metres high and is therefore the tallest mill in Westland. Visitors can regularly watch the milling process. In principle, the Korenmolen Windlust can be visited every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Experiences Throughout the Year

Recurring events include the Varend Corso Westland, an annual moving flower parade in Westland and the surrounding area. During Kom in de Kas Westland, greenhouse businesses open their doors to the public every year and show what is grown in the greenhouses. Alongside the landscapes and historic buildings, this also puts modern forms of horticulture in the spotlight.

Other Places

To explore more of Westland, the links to local places lead to Poeldijk, Naaldwijk, Ter Heijde, 'S-Gravenzande and De Lier.

For the higher-level travel overview: South Holland.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Zederik, Bernisse, Maassluis.