Roden offers various ways to explore history and culture: from the museum at Havezate Mensinge to art and theatre, as well as a signposted route through the town. A toy collection, a forest with a recreational function and events in September are also among the options. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between museum visits, your preferred route length and dates for events or performances.

Havezate Mensinge and the Erfgoedroute

The Havezate Mensinge Museum is furnished largely with its original contents. It gives an impression of how people used to live in a Drenthe havezate. Havezate Mensinge was first mentioned in 1381 as a fief of the Bishop of Utrecht—a historical detail that gives your visit a specific point of reference in time. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Check the opening hours again before your trip.

The signposted Erfgoedroute Roden runs for 9 km through Roden. A shorter 5 km option is available if you start at Havezate Mensinge instead of at the Brink. This lets you plan your route using the two explicitly stated options. Also check local route conditions before setting out.

Mensingebos plays an important recreational role for Roden. At Mensingeweg stands the “Dikste eik van Drenthe” (the “thickest oak in Drenthe”), a so-called Wodanseik; its circumference is measured regularly. There is also the mobile heritage app “Roden in je broekzak” for historical sights, which guides visitors to places like these. The forest, the tree and the app offer different points of interest if you are interested in the landscape or local history.

Museums, art and stage

At the Scheepstra Kabinet, history is brought to life interactively: visitors can sit at historic school desks. Kunstencentrum K38 hosts exhibitions and offers short-term activities. As the program changes, it is worth checking the current listings before planning a visit.

Theater de Winsinghhof is housed in a historic building on the Brink and has 147 seats. The venue is used as a cinema as well as a theatre. Its program includes theatre, music and children’s performances; some performances are seasonal. If you want to attend on a particular evening during your stay, check the schedule for your chosen date.

The Speelgoedmuseum Roden is home to the largest toy collection in the Netherlands. The museum also has an outdoor playground and a carousel. At the petting farm, visitors can see and touch animals free of charge. Check the latest visitor information before your visit, particularly if you are planning around these facilities.

The Catharinakerk also offers a specific cultural activity: by appointment, you can play the Hinsz organ; a fee applies.

Events in September

Wat 'n Kunst is an art and culture festival held every year on the first weekend of September; it was first held in 2017. The program changes with each edition. The Rodermarkt takes place around the fourth weekend of September and lasts a week. It includes a parade, live music, harness racing and a fairground. The two events therefore offer different points of reference for dates in September. The exact dates of the Rodermarkt vary; check event dates and programs before planning a trip around it.

For planning your stay, there is a practical difference: for the Erfgoedroute, you choose between the stated route lengths; for a theatre visit or event, the specific date matters. You can first decide whether to plan your trip around a route, a museum visit or a particular program.

Discover more destinations: Roderesch, Alteveer, Peest, Een-West, Westervelde, Peize, Roderwolde, Norg.

For the broader travel overview: Noordenveld.