Hilvarenbeek brings together a striking Brick Gothic tower and routes through the historic town centre with walking, cycling and horse-riding trails in and around six village centres. This offers a choice of different focuses for a stay: architectural history, local collections or landscapes. The routes range from a monument trail of about three kilometres to a network of numbered junctions.
Brick Gothic architecture and local history
At 75 metres tall, the Beekse Toren is an example of Kempen Brick Gothic architecture. Its tower chamber houses a permanent exhibition about the history of Hilvarenbeek and the tower. Climbing it takes visitors through six attic levels, including a viewing platform with views over the surrounding area. The building thus brings together architectural context, local history and views of the surroundings. The Vrijthof also has a long historical context: activities have taken place there since the Middle Ages, and hundreds of festivals and celebrations have been held in connection with the square.
Two routes, different focuses
The Monumentenroute runs through the historic town centre to eleven information stones set into the pavement, all within one kilometre of the Vrijthof. The route is about three kilometres long and starts and ends at the Vrijthof. The Spreekwoordenroute offers a different focus: it starts at the Hilvarenbeek Infopunt on the Vrijthof and leads to ten stations with activities. At the end, a treasure chest is opened at the Infopunt.
Different details can help you choose between the routes: for the Monumentenroute, its approximate length and local history are key features; for the Spreekwoordenroute, they are its stations and activities. Check the practical details of the Spreekwoordenroute before your trip.
Landscapes and routes around six village centres
Official, well-marked walking, cycling and horse-riding trails are available in and around Hilvarenbeek, Diessen, Haghorst, Esbeek, Biest-Houtakker and Baarschot. They follow a network of numbered junctions. The landscapes in and around these village centres include forests, heathland, streams and pastures. They are suitable for walking, cycling and birdwatching. Alongside historic places, this offers a choice of different landscapes and activities for planning your trip.
The history of healthcare at Museum De Dorpsdokter
Museum De Dorpsdokter looks at healthcare over a period of 200 years. A special collection displays instruments used over the past two centuries by village or family doctors, dentists, midwives and physiotherapists. The exhibition covers several professions and their instruments, rather than focusing on a single medical occupation.
For adult groups, the museum offers the approximately 50-minute presentation “Help, de dokter vertelt” (“Help, the doctor is telling a story”) in combination with a guided museum tour. If you would like to include this group programme in your plans, check the current arrangements in advance.
Mill and brewing tradition
At Molen De Doornboom, volunteers welcome visitors and explain how wind power is used for milling. They process locally grown spelt and wheat there. The mill thus brings together a traditional process and two locally grown types of grain.
Museumbrouwerij De Roos is considered the only authentic village brewery in the Netherlands and largely retains its original 1877 fittings. The museum has an audio guide in Dutch, English, German and French, as well as a tasting room where visitors can enjoy beer. Check the current opening arrangements before visiting.
Groups of ten or more can book various arrangements at De Roos, including guided tours, beer tastings and a children’s scavenger hunt. These are also available outside regular opening hours; ask about availability in advance.
Discover more destinations: Diessen, Groenstraat.
Return to the main travel overview: Hilvarenbeek.
