There are several specific ways to explore Hemmen during a stay: its historic country estate, water features and walking and cycling routes. Different layers of history meet in particular around Huis Hemmen: an 18th-century country house, older castle foundations and a park landscape thought to have been created around 1820. There are also walks and several classical concerts every year. Depending on your interests, you can discover Hemmen through its architectural history, landscape or an active outing.
Country estate and architectural history
The stately country house “Huis Hemmen” was built in 1757 on the old foundations of the former castle. De Zwarte Poort, a stone arched bridge with a gate, is part of the historic estate complex. In the ruins of Huis Hemmen, the remains of buildings found there are displayed as museum exhibits where possible. These structures each have a different focus: the country house and its year of construction, the ruins and their building remains, and the bridge with its distinctive gate. For centuries, 17 lords of Hemmen ruled over the Hoge Heerlijkheid. This history adds the story of the estate’s rule to the view of its individual buildings.
Parkland, water and fruit trees
The landscape also has a history of its own. It is currently thought that the parkland at Huis Hemmen was redesigned in the landscape style at the beginning of the 19th century, around 1820, and enhanced with several ponds. The bodies of water in the English landscape park and the ditches around the ruins of Huis Hemmen are connected to the river Linge. These are two distinct water areas, each associated with a particular part of the estate. Landgoed Heerlijkheid Hemmen has 600 standard fruit trees, mostly old varieties of apple and pear such as Notarisappel and Groninger Kroon. The water features and fruit trees add further specific aspects of the estate to its architectural heritage.
Walking and cycling
CNME Hemmen has developed two walking trails, each about five kilometres long. CNME Hemmen also offers guided walks across the estate with expert guides. Another option is the seven-kilometre “Parel van de Betuwe” walking route, which passes through Landgoed Hemmen and the village of Hemmen and starts at the entrance to Kasteeltuin Hemmen. In terms of length, the two trails of about five kilometres each can be compared with the seven-kilometre route. If you prefer an expert guide or want to choose a particular walking route, check the latest dates and options before your stay.
For a bike ride, a 20-kilometre cycling route leads from Hemmen through the village and surrounding area. The accompanying brochure covers aspects of nature and culture and highlights scenic features. The route is a different length from the walks mentioned: the walking routes are about five and seven kilometres, while the cycling route is 20 kilometres. This lets you choose an activity based on your preferred mode of travel and distance, without interpreting the figures as walking or cycling times.
Classical concerts in Hemmen
Classical music is also part of the village’s cultural offerings: several classical concerts are held every year in the Hervormde Kerk Hemmen. If a concert is important to your travel plans, check the dates for your travel period. Alongside the country estate, park and routes, recurring cultural events are another possible focus for a stay in Hemmen.
Discover more destinations: Slijk-Ewijk, Randwijk, Elst
Return to the main travel overview: Overbetuwe.
