Forests, wetlands and heathlands shape Waalre’s natural landscape, alongside historic sites and activities for a range of interests. When planning your stay, you can weigh up nature watching, stories about the area, art and activities for children. The diversity is particularly easy to experience on the Waalre Walks, at the Vlindertuin and at the historic sights.
Discover nature and hear stories along the way
Waalre’s natural landscape includes forests, wetlands and heathlands. In the village of Waalre, the Vlindertuin Waalre is located on the grounds of the former municipal tree nursery; it has been there since June 2003. Activities are held regularly at the Vlindertuin, including children’s afternoons, work days and moth counts. Each activity has a different focus: a children’s afternoon caters to different interests than studying moths, while work days complement the regular programme.
The Waalre Walks are GPS-guided audio tours, known as podwalks, that let you experience Waalre’s stories on location. At some stops, augmented reality can also be used to bring the past to life. The experience combines GPS guidance and storytelling; the digital display complements the audio at selected points, not at every stop. If you are interested in local history, this format offers a different way to explore it than visiting individual historic sights.
Local history, monuments and art
The historic market square in the village of Waalre includes several monuments and is recommended as a sight to visit. The Oude Willibrorduskerkje dates back to the 12th century. After the Second World War, it was designated as Brabant’s provincial memorial to fallen soldiers. The building thus brings together a long history and a later commemorative role. The village character of Loon also has a special status: the hamlet has been a protected village sight since 1971.
At the Waalres Museum, you can discover historic textiles and visual art. On display is antique damask from Europe’s largest damask collection; the fabrics were made between 1550 and 1800. The museum also exhibits works by established visual artists and emerging talents. The dated damask and the works by artists at different stages in their careers offer two distinct perspectives on the museum: textile history on the one hand, visual art on the other.
Activities for children
Speeltuin de Klimbim is an adventure playground in the middle of Waalre’s forests. The site covers around 6,000 square metres and has around 50 play structures for children from toddler age to about ten. This specific age range can help you decide whether the activities suit the interests of the children travelling with you. Unlike the museum and historic sights, the focus here is on play structures and playing.
Another activity for children is the Rudolf-Vermeulen chocolate workshop in Waalre. The programme includes a factory tour and making solid chocolates as well as chocolate lollipops. Children’s workshops are temporarily unavailable at present; bookings can be made again from 4 January 2027. If you would like to include this activity in your plans, check whether a suitable date is available for your visit.
For the overall travel overview: Waalre.
