Laarbeek lies at the junction of the Zuid-Willemsvaart and the Wilhelminakanaal. Known as the “water gateway to the Peel,” the municipality offers canals, streams, ponds and bridges. This theme ranges from landscaped waterscapes to natural areas and can be combined with very different discoveries: mills, architectural history and local culture each tell their own story.
Water Landscapes and Natural Areas
Since 2018, the Blauwe Poort Laarbeek has combined an innovative area for water retention and storage with walking and cycling paths and an educational observation tower. The Blauwe Poort is accessible on foot or by bicycle from Vonderweg-Oost in Beek en Donk; parking is available along the road. Check access and parking details before you set off. The area makes water visible both as part of the landscape and as a subject of water management.
’t Gulden Land, between the Kop van Aarle-Rixtel and the north of Helmond, offers a different view of nature. The area has a circular route with cycling and walking paths, as well as newly created ponds. Habitats include swamp forests and grassland, as well as wet soils and dry areas where many plant and animal species occur. The contrast between wet and dry habitats gives a visit a different focus from the water engineering and views at the Blauwe Poort.
If you would like to plan a longer bike ride, the 44-kilometre “Pluk de Peel | Foodroute Laarbeek - Helmond” offers a clearly defined option. It starts at Professor-Dondersweg in Aarle-Rixtel. The route length provides a concrete measure for planning your ride; the natural areas also offer their own walking and cycling paths.
Castles, Mills and Technical History
The paths on the 61-hectare estate of Kasteel Eyckenlust are freely accessible, except for the immediate area around the castle. Check the access conditions before your visit. The oldest surviving part of Kasteel Eyckenlust is the gatehouse, which dates from around 1500. At Kasteel Croy, the oldest parts date back to the late 15th century. These dates offer two distinct historical perspectives on surviving architectural features.
The mills also tell stories of change over time. Molen Vogelenzang is a stone grain, oil and hulling mill. It was built after a wooden post mill was toppled by a severe storm in 1817. Vincent van Gogh painted Molen Vogelenzang several times. Molen De Leest highlights a different technical detail: its cast-iron shaft dates from around 1830 to 1840 and is considered one of the oldest cast shafts in the Netherlands.
The Klokkengieterij Petit & Fritsen has officially been in operation since 1660 and is considered the third-oldest family business in the Netherlands. The building houses Europe’s only wood-fired melting furnace. Such technical features complement the stories of the mills with a glimpse into bell founding. On the Bavaria Brewery Tour, the route leads between the brewing kettles through the brewery’s history, from 1719 to the present day. Check booking details in advance.
Local History and Experiences
The Heemhuis Barthold van Heessel Museum is located in Hoeve ten Coudenberghe, which originally dates from the 14th century. Its changing exhibitions cover religion and devotion, archaeology, occupations and crafts, as well as everyday life in a Brabant village in the past. The subjects range from local working life to faith and everyday culture.
In Mariahout, the Lourdesgrot was consecrated on 30 May 1935. It is a replica of a very well-known French grotto. The Missieklooster Heilig Bloed marks another moment in history: on 15 July 1903, 74 sisters moved into the new convent. These two dates place religious sites in different chapters of local history.
Regional food is another discovery to enjoy. Vlees- en Zuivelboerderij De Lage Broekkant offers the chance to sample its products. In Mariahout, Oijnk is a farm shop where you can learn about pigs and buy related products. The Bavaria Brewery Tour adds the history of brewing to these culinary experiences; check the booking details before planning your visit.
Getting Around
Bus route 261 connects Beek en Donk, Mariahout, Lieshout, Aarle-Rixtel and Helmond. Check the current Bravo timetable for your specific journey. This lets you weigh up the different places and themes in Laarbeek when planning, without having to follow a set order for your discoveries.
Discover More Destinations
Beek en Donk, Mariahout, Aarle Rixtel, Lieshout; Etten-Leur, Uden, Drimmelen, Oirschot.
Back to the main travel overview: North Brabant.
