Oldeholtpade offers a range of points of interest for a stay: the memory of Canadian soldier Wilfred Berry, the Late Gothic Stephanuskerk, woodland history, and named cycling and walking routes. The Scheltingapolder nature reserve is also part of the local landscape; access there is restricted.
Memorial and Church
The Wilfred Berry Memorial stands in Oldeholtpade on the Hoofdweg towards Wolvega. It commemorates Canadian soldier Wilfred Berry, who fell here on 12 April 1945. The memorial column features a maple leaf and a photograph of Berry. In this way, the design of the memorial brings together a reference to his Canadian origins and a personal tribute to the soldier.
Another historical landmark is the Stephanuskerk, a Late Gothic church with a west tower. Alongside the memorial, it represents a different form of remembrance and architectural history: the commemoration of an event in 1945 and a church building classified as Late Gothic. Those interested in local history can consider these two themes separately, rather than combining them into a single attraction.
Woodland Landscape and Historical Traces
De Wandelbos, the largest woodland area in Oldeholtpade, lies east of the village. Holly is characteristic of the woodland. Its present structure comprises several connected parcels of coppice. They are remnants of the woodland that covered a large part of the so-called Pastoriegoederen before the land reclamation work carried out by Pastor Hofstee. A visit to De Wandelbos therefore reveals both its characteristic vegetation and a landscape history connected to the woodland’s former extent.
The Scheene also tells a story of the historical use of the landscape. In the Middle Ages, it was dug in part to mark the boundary between the villages of Oldeholtpade and Ter Idzard. Its history is therefore about not only a watercourse, but also the boundary between two villages. On a walking route between Mildam, Oldeholtpade and Ter Idzard, a described section then follows the Tsjonger, along the Bospad and beside the Scheene.
The Scheltingapolder near Oldeholtpade is a nature reserve of approximately 48 hectares in the valley of the Linde stream. The area is approximate. The viewpoint mound can be reached via a walking route from It Fryske Gea; at the same time, access to the Scheltingapolder is restricted. Bear this restriction in mind when planning, and do not assume that reaching the viewpoint mound means unrestricted access to the entire area.
Distinguishing Cycling and Walking Routes
Cyclists can choose from two named routes with different details. The access road and cycle path form the Scheenebospad circular cycle route. The 63.4-kilometre route “Driewegsluis – cycling along the Turfroute” passes through Oldeholtpade. The first route is identified as a circular route, while the second has a stated total length. These details help distinguish the routes, but they do not describe the same aspect of each route’s course. Check the current route before setting out on a specific ride.
For walkers, the Mildam–Oldeholtpade–Ter Idzard route features a sequence of named landscape elements: the Tsjonger, the Bospad and the Scheene. The information describes this section of the route, not all the features of the entire walking route. This lets you distinguish between a cycling route with a stated length, a named circular cycling route and a described section of a walking route.
These options offer several different interests to choose from when planning your trip: memorials and architectural history, the woodland with its historic coppice parcels, or paths alongside named landscape features. The restricted access to the Scheltingapolder is another practical consideration for planning.
Discover more destinations: Scherpenzeel, Nijeholtpade, Noordwolde, Wolvega, Boijl, Zandhuizen, Munnekeburen, Blesdijke
For the regional travel overview: Weststellingwerf.
