In Venray, you can make nature trails, outdoor art and different chapters of local history the focus of your stay. The walking routes vary clearly in length and theme; museums, churches and memorial sites each offer their own points of interest.
Walking routes, art and archaeology
The Venray–Merselo walking route is 14.7 km long and has shorter options of 6 km and 8 km. It passes through the Vlakwater nature reserve to Sint-Odapark, then through the Loobeekdal along the Loobeek. If you are looking for a longer walk, this route connects landscapes and a variety of sections. The shorter options provide an alternative with less distance to cover.
Much more compact is the Boschhuizen nature walk, which is 3.2 to 4.0 km long and starts in Venray near Hotel Asteria. The distance figures make it easy to compare with the route to Merselo, without needing to make assumptions about different walking times. The Culttours are also about 3.5 km long. They connect sights related to psychiatry, religion and education, and can be explored with a walking guide or an app. This means you can choose a route based not only on distance, but also on different thematic points of interest.
At Sint-Odapark, woodland and art come together: old deciduous and coniferous trees, woodland paths, flora and fauna are just as much a part of its character as the outdoor artworks. The art programme also includes contemporary art in the tea house and exhibition pavilion, as well as inspiring talks, workshops and atmospheric concerts. Another way to explore Venray’s history is the 29 km Archaeological Cycling Route Westlus, which passes two Archeo-Route Limburg locations. An app at these sites tells the story behind the archaeological finds.
Museums, churches and memorial sites
The Museum of Psychiatry presents the history of psychiatry in an interactive way, looking at the past, present and future. The Venray Museum offers a different perspective on local history. Since May 2017, it has been located on the ground floor of De Borggraaf in the town park, opposite the historic Sint Petrus' Banden Church, also known as the Grote Kerk.
The Grote Kerk is a Gothic church dating from the 15th century. Its tower houses an informative exhibition and the film “In hemelsnaam” about the wartime damage to the church and its restoration. The former Peace Church represents another chapter in the town’s religious history: built in 1964 as a church for all denominations, with peace at its heart, it later became a municipal monument.
The Sint Petrusmolen also tells the story of Venray’s past. It was built in 1855/1856 and was formerly also known as Molen van Gitzels. Volunteers regularly keep the mill operational. The history of Klooster Jerusalem goes back even further: it was founded in 1467 under the influence of the Modern Devotion movement.
Memorial sites recall the Second World War. The Wehrmacht house at Overloonseweg 28 is one of three such houses in Venray and is considered a special reminder of the war. A total of 692 soldiers who died between October 1944 and March 1945 are buried at Venray War Cemetery. At Monseigneur Goumansplein 3, you will also find Audio Spot 202 on the Liberation Route Europe: “The Watchman over the Peel” tells a personal story that you can listen to on the Liberation Route Europe website. The Norfolk Monument honours the 1st Battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment.
Plan your journey and accommodation
Venray is accessible via the Maaslijn. Buses 80 and 87 connect Venray station with the town centre; check the timetables for your dates before travelling. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether walking routes, art and culture, or travelling by train will be the focus of your stay. The different route lengths and themes offer practical guidance.
Discover more destinations: Ysselsteyn, Wanssum, Smakt, Blitterswijck, Geijsteren, Oostrum, Veulen, Merselo.
For the broader travel overview: Venray.
