Holiday apartment in Westkapelle: Coast, history and nature

Westkapelle between coast, history and nature

Westkapelle combines coast, history, nature and its own distinctive local culture. The Polderhuis Museum presents the history of Westkapelle, the centuries-long struggle with the North Sea, the town’s wartime history, the Battle of the Scheldt and the subsequent reconstruction. This makes it possible to discover Westkapelle through specific local stories and different landscapes.

Distinctive local history

On 1 November 1944, Westkapelle was the first place on Walcheren to be liberated. Several locations in the town commemorate the bombing of Westkapelle during the Second World War. At the same time, the town has a strong identity of its own: Westkapelle has its own traditions, its own dialect, its own traditional costume and even its own folk song. The town’s history also includes the Noorman, the only windmill still preserved in Westkapelle.

Dike, lighthouse and maritime navigation

The Westkapelle sea dike is 5 kilometres long. Construction began in the 15th century; over time, the dike was repeatedly raised and reinforced. The lighthouse 't Lage Licht is the Netherlands’ first round cast-iron tower. Together with the Zuiderhoofd, it forms a navigational line of lights that shows ships the direction to Breskens. At the foot of the dike is the landing craft LCT 737, which is loaded, among other things, with the Bramble 5 tank, also known as “De Krab”.

Observe the water-rich natural environment

Noordervroon, an area rich in water and especially rich in birdlife, lies directly north of Westkapelle. It is not accessible, but it can be viewed easily from the surrounding area. In spring, dozens of black-headed gulls, common terns and avocets breed on the bare islets. The creek is also one of the town’s special natural features: it remains saline and is home to fish such as flounder, eel and trout.

Experiences for different interests

On the interactive Parelroute “Defence”, you answer questions along the route, collect letters and use them to form a word at the end. Dogs are allowed on this route when kept on a lead. At the end of the panoramic path, between Westkapelle and Domburg, there is a surf spot that is not suitable for beginners. The Polderhuis Museum is fully wheelchair accessible and has a lift as well as an accessible toilet. The Polderhuis also includes a museum café and a museum garden with a terrace; both can also be used without visiting the museum.

Ideas for a day in Westkapelle

Westkapelle offers a variety of ideas for a day out: observing nature at Noordervroon, exploring topics related to the creek, answering questions and collecting letters on the Parelroute, discovering coastal history at the dike or surfing at the spot between Westkapelle and Domburg. The Polderhuis observation tower can only be accessed through the museum.

Discover more places

If you would like to compare more places, you can also visit Biggekerke, Dishoek, Oostkapelle, Serooskerke, Meliskerke, Domburg, Gapinge and Koudekerke.