Zoeterwoude combines open polder landscapes, meadows, cheese farms, historic mills and varied paths within a compact thematic area. A striking connection between landscape and movement is formed by stage 03 of the Romeinse Limespad: it is a signposted, 12.5-kilometre section of a long-distance hiking trail. Around Zoeterwoude-Dorp, this stage also passes a number of cheese farms between the meadows.
Nature and paths
The characteristic historic cope landscape of Zoeterwoude consists of reclaimed polders with straight ditches that divide the land into strips. The 30-kilometre Zoeterwoudse Veen- en droogmakerijroute is a cycling route starting at TOP Zoeterwoude and passing through Zoeterwoude’s characteristic peat meadow landscape. Along the route are flower-rich verges and special meadow birds; there are also wide views and grazing cows to see.
Another landscape route is the Balkengatroute. It crosses the Groote Westeindsche Polder, the Westbroekpolder and the Grote Polder. Along the Polderpad, illustrated signs explain the history of the landscape and show how conditions in the soil shape the appearance above ground. Physical activity also has a firm place: the Buitensportparcours Molenpad offers a full-body outdoor workout with equipment at three locations. These locations are connected by a running route with marked distances.
Agriculture and regional products
The Boerenkaasroute is 17.2 kilometres long and leads to artisan cheese, ice cream and dairy farms, where visitors can taste farm cheese. Information boards and audio stations along the route provide information about farm cheese, meadow birds, sustainable farming, biodiversity and Zoeterwoude’s bee landscape. Boerderij De Keizershof has its own special focus: traditional farm butter, real buttermilk, Gouda farm cheese and Boeren-Leidse met Sleutels continue to be produced there.
At Kaasboerderij Van Veen, tours lead into the barns and provide information about livestock farming and grazing. The Weipoortse Vliet and the surrounding nature are also included. During the tour, visitors can taste various types of cheese and have the traditional cheese-making process explained to them. Cheesefarm de Keizershof at Noord Aa 4, 2381 LV Zoeterwoude, is considered a cheese farm worth visiting in Zoeterwoude.
Farms and water
Boerderij ’t Geertje is a farm open to visitors, with goats, cows, chickens, sheep, pigs and ponies. The farm includes a dairy, a farm shop and a restaurant. At Boerderij ’t Geertje, visitors can rent rowboats and canoes and follow an interactive route around the farm. At Elza Hoeve, a cuddle experience with cows begins with an introduction to the cows’ behaviour before visitors enter the barn.
The Poldervaart boat is easily accessible to visitors with a walking frame, wheelchair or mobility scooter.
Culture and history
The mills tell the story of earlier water management. The octagonal Barremolen was built in 1661 to keep the Barrepolder dry. The Groote Molen was built in 1626 to drain the Grote Polder. It can also be visited outside its regular open milling days when it is operating. The polder mill “Zelden van Passe” stands along the Meerburgerwatering, approximately 1,200 metres west of Zoeterwoude-Dorp.
In public spaces, works of art refer to the landscape and regional history. At Lange Kerkepad in Zoeterwoude stands the artwork “Grutto” by Hans Mes, depicting a characteristic meadow bird in the open polder landscape. On Kooikersplein in Zoeterwoude-Rijndijk stands a bronze artwork by Gerda van den Bosch depicting a Kooikerhondje with ducks taking flight. It refers to the tradition of duck decoys. Stichting Oud Zoeterwoude preserves stories, documents and historical objects relating to the history and cultural heritage of Zoeterwoude in a library and object archive.
Other destinations: Leiden, Liesveld, Oostflakkee, Albrandswaard, Barendrecht, Goeree-Overflakkee, Korendijk, Teylingen
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