When planning a stay in Broekhuizen, you can focus on nature, castle history and local traditions. Schuitwater is a varied natural area surrounding an old branch of the Maas. Kasteel Broekhuizen is also connected to an old branch of the Maas: it was built on the boundary between the river bank ridge and the Broekhuizenbroek marsh. A walking route, historic buildings and the ferry to Arcen add to the picture of the village.
Schuitwater and a specific walking route
The 6.3-kilometre Broekhuizen walking route starts and ends at hiking junction 20 in the Schuitwater car park on Horsterweg. If you are planning the route, check the latest information on trail conditions and facilities before setting off.
On the edge of the Schuitwater nature reserve, Theetuin Vanilla is located on the De Roode Vennen estate. The menu includes tea and coffee, various types of tea and homemade pastries. If you would like to combine this with a visit, check the latest information about what is on offer, as visiting arrangements may change.
Castle history and buildings
The history of Kasteel Broekhuizen extends beyond its surviving ruins. In November 1944, the castle was badly damaged by a bombing raid by English aircraft. After the war, the municipality of Broekhuizen had it further dismantled. The surviving ruins are outside the village, near the hamlet of De Stokt. The site of the castle and the present-day ruins are therefore two different reference points: the ruins stand by the hamlet, while the original castle was built on the boundary between the river bank ridge and the Broekhuizenbroek marsh.
The St. Nicolaaskerk also offers a specific point of reference for the history of architecture: it is a single-nave late Gothic building with a three-sided choir dating from around 1500. “Single-nave” describes a church interior with one nave; the three-sided choir refers to the shape of the choir’s end. The St. Christoffelkapel stands at the intersection of Veerweg and Hoogweg in Broekhuizen and was built in 1960. The Kapel op de Stokt is a St Joseph’s chapel built in 1939. Both chapels add buildings from significantly later years to the older church architecture.
Another historic landmark is the Molenmonument. It stands near the site where the watermill on the Broekhuizer mill stream once stood. Together with the castle ruins, the church and the chapels, it shows the different ways in which history is rooted in Broekhuizen: through surviving buildings, monuments and sites where former structures once stood.
Cycling tours, events and the connection to Arcen
On the edge of Broekhuizen stands the Fietsersmonument, a work of art commemorating the annual Tour de Brokeze cycling tour. It traditionally takes place on Shrove Tuesday. The tour was first held in 1959; its historical beginnings should be distinguished from current dates, which change with the carnival calendar. If you would like to plan your trip around the cycling tour, check the date for the year in question.
Since 2014, Brokeze Bruist has been a cultural event for both villages, held in September. In Broekhuizen, the venue stretches from the village centre to the Maas quay wall; the event features stages, street theatre, activities and exhibitions. Check the specific event dates separately. This lets you distinguish the historic cycling tour from the cultural event by their respective purpose and timing, rather than treating them as the same village event.
The ferry between Broekhuizen and Arcen connects the two villages on the Maas; it has a carrying capacity of 80 tonnes. If you are planning to take the ferry, check the current timetable and the operator’s information. This gives you a practical connection between Broekhuizen and Arcen to consider, alongside nature, architectural history and events.
Discover more destinations: Sevenum, Melderslo, Lottum, Grubbenvorst, Meerlo, Horst, Meterik, Hegelsom.
For the broader travel overview: Horst Aan De Maas.
