At the Bevrijdende Vleugels Museum, Operation Market Garden and the liberation of the Netherlands take centre stage. Authentic aircraft, vehicles and personal stories are dedicated to this history. The collection includes tracked vehicles, aircraft, dioramas and photographs, as well as weapons used during Operation Market Garden. Before your trip, check what is currently on view in the collection and exhibitions.
A flight simulator is also part of the seasonal programme: during museum visits on Saturdays or Sundays from April through October, it is available between 12:00 and 16:00 and supervised by real pilots. Programme details may change; check in advance. You can reach the museum by train to Best station and then by buurtbus to the Museum Bevrijdende Vleugels stop, directly in front of the museum entrance. Check the timetables before travelling.
Nature trails between heathland and fen lakes
Best is located in Het Groene Woud, a large natural park landscape between ’s-Hertogenbosch, Eindhoven and Tilburg. In Nieuwe Heide, a walking route passes through fens, inland dunes, woodland and heathland. Around 10,000 years ago, wind shaped these landscape features in this part of Noord-Brabant. Nieuwe Heide is also a fen area with numerous fen lakes, including Langven.
The “Best Bijzonder!” network comprises ten nature walks created by IVN nature guides. You can start in the centre or at the starting point of your chosen route. As route details may change, it is worth checking the latest information before setting off. On Aarlesche Heide, you can see prehistoric burial mounds, lichens and viviparous lizards. The area lies within the municipality of Best and was long used as a military training ground by the Dutch Ministry of Defence.
De Scheeken offers another view of the landscape: red deer live there, and the area lies on both sides of the A2 and the Eindhoven–Den Bosch railway line. Sightings are not guaranteed. Check the current access rules before visiting. For a cycling trip, “Fietsrondje Best” is listed as a 35.2-kilometre route; route listings may change. The “Kunst in Best” route, meanwhile, takes you to public artworks that you can explore on foot or by bike.
Liberation history and cultural traces
The Joe Mann monument commemorates Joe Mann and everyone who fought for the liberation of Best. The Joe Mann Natuurtheater offers a different cultural highlight: founded in 1954, it is of cultural and historical significance within the tradition of open-air and nature theatres in the southern Netherlands. Performances are scheduled separately; if you would like to attend one, check the dates in advance.
Best is also known for its rich poplar-growing past and the many wooden clogs made there. At the Beleefpad, visitors can design their own wooden clog during the “pimp your klomp” workshop. Be sure to check the current programme for workshop dates before planning your visit.
A mill visit and local treats
Korenmolen De Volharding was built in 1851 and fully restored as a windmill between 2009 and 2011. Free guided tours are available on Saturdays from 10:00 to 15:30, with demonstrations of spelt and wheat milling. The mill shop sells items including bread flour and baking mix on Saturdays from 10:00 to 15:00. Tour times and product availability may change; check these details before your visit.
Another local discovery is Brouwerij Strijder, a small craft brewery on the grounds of Bevrijdende Vleugels in Best. A brewery tour tells you more about the brewing process; a beer tasting with matching snacks is planned afterwards. Check booking and programme details in advance.
Discover more destinations: Best, Schijndel, Deurne, Veghel, Lith, Baarle-Nassau, Nuenen, Gerwen En Nederwetten, Zundert.
Return to the regional travel overview: North Brabant.
