Explore Leopoldshöhe through its local history, half-timbered architecture and cycling. The local history museum at Heimathof, Gut Niederbarkhausen and a variety of cycling options give your stay some specific points of interest. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can choose a focus: would you like to explore the town’s history, or include a bike ride in your plans?
Local history at Heimathof
The former residence at Heimathof was restored from 1996 onwards at the initiative of the local history association and converted into a local history museum; it opened in 1999. The museum is housed in the main building of the former Eickmeyer farmstead, a four-bay half-timbered building dating from 1793. The earliest known documentary mention of Heimathof dates from the Everstein Feud at the beginning of the 15th century.
The museum displays objects from various aspects of life and work in the countryside over the past 150 years or so. A dedicated exhibition room focuses on local wildlife, with numerous specimens of birds and mammals on display. The calls of many of these animals can be played through a computer-controlled system. This brings together insights into rural life and wildlife. Visits to the local history museum are possible by appointment; be sure to arrange a time.
Events are also part of Heimathof’s history. The restoration work was completed in 1993; since then, the bakehouse and barbecue area have been used for various events. The Leopoldshöhe Local History Association and the Leopoldshöhe Tractor Enthusiasts jointly organize, among other things, an apple and potato festival and a threshing festival featuring many historic tractors and pieces of equipment. If you’d like to attend one of these festivals, check the dates before your trip.
Half-timbered architecture and estate history
Gut Niederbarkhausen was first mentioned in a document in 1036 as Bishop Meinwerk’s table estate. At the time, with five outlying farms, it was one of the larger episcopal farming estates. The estate includes a manor house, a coach house, a stable and farm buildings, a fortified farm building, and a half-timbered building that was formerly the brewery. The fortified farm building is a stone granary built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The estate complex’s architectural history thus spans several centuries.
Another architectural highlight is the Evangelical Reformed Church of Leopoldshöhe. Inside, it is laid out as a three-aisled, stepped hall church, with the nave considerably higher than the two side aisles. The church served as a model for a number of other churches in Lippe designed by the same architect. Those interested in architectural styles can therefore view local church architecture in a broader regional context.
Cycling and scenery
Heimathof is the starting point of the Tichleroute, a cycling route funded by LEADER that runs through three regions. For the shorter sections of the “Around Leopoldshöhe” cycling tour, by contrast, the market square is a suitable starting and finishing point. These are two different options: a route covering a wider region and shorter sections of a tour around Leopoldshöhe.
Heimathof also has a large orchard and a woodland area, maintained and cared for by the Leopoldshöhe Local History Association. An apiary for educational purposes was also completed there in summer 2024. It is intended for aspiring beekeepers, school and children’s groups, and other interested visitors. If you’re interested in using it, you can contact the municipality.
The Heipker See nature reserve is another natural attraction, located in Krentrup, a district of the municipality of Leopoldshöhe. These different points of interest give you a choice when planning your stay: you can focus on the local history museum and architectural history, or choose one of the cycling routes mentioned above.
Discover more destinations: Dörentrup, Lügde, Kalletal, Extertal, Augustdorf, Hörstmar, Oerlinghausen, Schlangen.
For the overview of the wider region: Lippe.
