Visitors to Buitenpost can shape their stay around different interests: De Kruidhof focuses on medicinal herbs, the Ice Age Museum tells how the Ice Ages affected the landscape of the northern Netherlands, and the Concours Hippique Buitenpost takes place on a date in August. A cultural heritage walking route also offers a choice of two starting points. This leaves three practical questions to consider when planning: which subject interests you, does the event date fit your trip, and where would you like to start the walk? While the Concours takes place on a fixed annual date, the museum, garden and walking route each offer their own thematic focus.
Ice Ages and Collections
The Ice Age Museum explains how the two most recent Ice Ages shaped the landscape in the north of the Netherlands, particularly in Northeast Friesland. Its scope therefore extends beyond Northeast Friesland while also giving the region particular attention. Its collections include erratic boulders, mineral rocks and fossils. This offers two distinct perspectives: the effects of the Ice Ages on the landscape and the specific types of objects in the collection. Guided tours for groups and schools are available on request; if you would like to plan a tour, contact the museum.
Medicinal Herbs and Walking Route
De Kruidhof offers a different focus: the garden’s main collection consists of medicinal herbs. This botanical focus sits alongside the geological and landscape history explored by the Ice Age Museum. The Buitenpost cultural heritage walking route turns the focus to local history. You can start at the Ice Age Museum or choose TOP Buitenpost, which is a little farther away. Before setting off, check which starting point best suits your plans. The walk thus offers a choice of two specific starting points, while De Kruidhof has its own distinct collection focus.
Concours Hippique: Date and Directions
The Concours Hippique Buitenpost takes place every year on the first Wednesday in August. The exact date in the relevant year is important when planning your trip; check it before arranging your travel dates around it. The event is held at the Mejontsmaterrein, between Hoefslag, De Mejontsmastraat and Troelstralaan. The grounds are 750 metres from Buitenpost railway station and can be reached on foot. The street names help you locate the grounds, while the distance from the station provides a reference for the walk. If you are choosing the competition as a reason for your trip, you can plan around the date and venue.
De Mûnts and the Local Ice Rink
De Mûnts offers a different kind of local history: the mill was assigned the task of pumping water to and draining it from the local ice rink. Unlike the landscape history of the Ice Age Museum, this function concerns a specific water-related task. The two subjects therefore sit at different scales: the shaping of a region by the Ice Ages and a particular task connected with the ice rink. Together, these themes show how natural history, collection focuses and practical local history differ in Buitenpost.
Discover more destinations: Gerkesklooster, Augustinusga, Surhuizum, Surhuisterveen, Twijzelerheide.
Return to the main travel overview: Achtkarspelen.
