Berkel offers several options for a stay: architectural history in Berkel-Enschot, a visit to the water, a cycling route and gardens at cultural sites. For planning, it helps to distinguish between these interests. Church and farm history offer a cultural focus; the natural swimming lake and cycling route have a different emphasis. Garden visits add another way to experience the area.

Church and agricultural heritage

The Sint Willibrorduskerk dates from 1910 and was designed by J. Stuyt with Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Gothic influences. The two styles give the church a clear architectural character. If you are interested in architectural forms, you can see a specific church building here rather than looking only in general for historic sights.

De Kraan in Berkel-Enschot represents a different scale of cultural heritage. The complex includes a long-gabled farmhouse with an attached bakehouse, a Flemish barn and a shed with an outhouse. The farmhouse dates from 1882. The complex’s historical and cultural value is regarded as an expression of the socioeconomic development of agriculture in the second half of the 19th century. The farmhouse’s construction date and the historical context of the complex thus shed light on two different aspects: a specific building and the development of agriculture over a longer period.

Water and cycling

On the edge of Berkel-Enschot lies Strandbad de Rauwbraken, a natural swimming lake with a sandy beach and sunbathing lawn. Facilities include a diving board, a playground and a beach bar serving ice cream and snacks. This outing is clearly different from the heritage sites: here, the focus is on water and the beach.

Another option is the short red La Trappe cycling route. It starts at Abdij Onze Lieve Vrouw van Koningshoeven in Berkel-Enschot, is 32 km long and is marked with signs reading “Rode route La Trappe.” This makes it a specific cycling option, while the natural swimming lake offers a place to spend time by the water. Check the route information before setting out, as route details may change.

Gardens and the abbey

At Abdij de Koningshoeven, visitors can enter part of the garden around the Kloosterwinkel and the Proeflokaal free of charge. The abbey is also involved in producing La Trappe beers: all La Trappe beers are developed and brewed in collaboration with the Trappists of the abbey O.L.V. van Koningshoeven. The garden visit and beer production offer different insights into the abbey.

Museum Onder d’n Hooizolder also recommends taking a walk through its garden. If you include the museum in your stay, the garden is therefore part of the visit recommended by the museum. Together with the partially accessible garden at Abdij de Koningshoeven, it offers a dedicated garden focus alongside architectural history, cycling and a swimming outing.

Your choice therefore depends mainly on which theme you would like to focus on: the architecture of the Sint Willibrorduskerk, the agricultural history of De Kraan, time by the water or the 32-kilometre cycling route. The gardens and the abbey add further cultural attractions to these different interests.

Discover more destinations: Udenhout, Tilburg.

Go to the main travel overview: Tilburg.