Holiday apartment in Hoedekenskerke – Westerschelde, culture and family experiences

Holiday apartment in Hoedekenskerke between the Westerschelde and village history

Hoedekenskerke combines maritime landscapes, historical sites and family-friendly experiences in a manageable setting. If you are considering a holiday apartment in Hoedekenskerke as a base for planning your trip, you will find a wide range of impressions here: In Pluimweide Park, there is a miniature railway for children and De Buffer with working model trains. De Buffer also houses an exhibition of traditional costumes belonging to the costume group “Mooi Zeeland”.

Pluimweide Park is open to the public and free for everyone. De Buffer is located directly next to Hoedekenskerke railway station, which lies at the foot of the dike on the Westerschelde. On the other side of the dike, there is a small marina that falls dry at low tide. This arrangement makes the location appealing to families who want to combine a relaxed visit to the park with railway-themed activities and a view of the water.

Culture and history around your accommodation

A notable reminder of the village’s history is the Dutch Reformed Church at Kerkstraat 32. The polygonally closed choir of a medieval church from the 15th century has been preserved; the nave and tower have been lost. A war memorial at the N.H. Church also commemorates the fight against the occupiers as well as the regained freedom and peace. It consists of a column with a carved dove made of white natural stone.

The small museum 't Wienkeltje van Wullempje offers further insights into life in earlier times. It has been documented since 1992 and shows how people lived and worked in the past. The building was restored in the style of the shop-house belonging to Wullempje, his grandmother and his aunt. Koutermolen also stands on Molenstraat, a grain mill in Hoedekenskerke built in 1874.

The Stoomtrein Goes-Borsele is another special experience in the area. Hoedekenskerke railway station is its terminus. The train ride offers an atmosphere reminiscent of what it might have been like at the beginning of the 20th century. This aspect is particularly interesting when choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home if you would like to combine excursions involving culture, technology and regional history.

Hiking along the dike and through orchards

Hoedekenskerke can also be explored on foot. A hiking route of approximately 1.5 kilometres leads from the railway station through an orchard and the village to the mill. It then continues through the village, past the church and 't Wienkeltje van Wullempje, back to the railway station. Another hiking route begins and ends at Dorpshuis de Griend. The different starting and ending points, as well as the approximate length of the first route, help you assess the options for planning your day.

For longer impressions of the landscape, there is the Odekijnspad. This varied hiking trail crosses the sea dike, an inland dike and several orchards. It also runs along the Westerschelde and over a so-called “Vijfzoodijk”. Together with the railway station on the dike and the marina that falls dry at low tide, this shows Hoedekenskerke as a destination for walks where waterscapes and agriculturally shaped paths go hand in hand.

Seal watching on the Westerschelde

ScheldeSafari takes visitors by RIB to sandbanks that fall dry at low tide. From there, seals can be observed from an appropriate distance. The seal search begins in the harbour of Hoedekenskerke and ends there again after approximately 40 minutes. Jachthaven de Val in Hoedekenskerke is specified as the starting point; free parking for bicycles and cars is available there. On the harbour plateau of the De Val marina for visitors, the former waiting shelter for ferry passengers also now stands as a memorial.

The options therefore range from short walks and park experiences to a RIB trip on the Westerschelde. A holiday apartment in Hoedekenskerke may therefore be a suitable search option if you would like to consider culture, child-friendly discoveries, hiking trails and maritime experiences together for your holiday. For further orientation, you can also compare Lewedorp, Oudelande, 'S-Gravenpolder, Ovezande, Heinkenszand, 's-Heer Abtskerke, Nieuwdorp and Borssele.

For the overarching travel overview: Borsele.