Historic farmhouses, a 15th-century church, a horse race through the centre of town and routes along the IJsselmeer shape different sides of Venhuizen. For planning your trip, the distinction between local history, events and outdoor activities is particularly interesting: the Harddraverij brings visitors to the centre, while two routes include Venhuizen in their itineraries.
Culture and historic architecture
The Hervormde Kerk in Venhuizen is a single-nave cruciform church with a pentagonal choir. The Nederlands Hervormde Kerk dates from the 15th century. At De Buurt 1 stands a stolp farmhouse dating from 1773. Its documented features include a carved door, a carved fanlight, six- and nine-pane windows, and a decorative brick chimney.
Swanenplaats at De Buurt 11 is a West Frisian-style stolpboerderij. Its core is older; most of its façades date from the third quarter of the 19th century. Inside, an old 18th-century smuiger has been preserved. The building’s history thus spans several periods, from its older core and façades to a historic interior detail.
The overhaal near Westerbuurt 34 can also be described by its construction: it consists of two wooden winches, with associated brick paths and wooden slipways. These lead into the ditches that run parallel to the road. The architectural details in Venhuizen therefore vary considerably: sometimes the focus is on the floor plan and choir, sometimes on the façade design, interior features or technical construction.
At Koggehuis, Westeinde 3, historic photographs are available in an image database and objects in an object database. In the library, anyone can search by author, title and keyword. Access arrangements may change, so please check them before your visit. Since its founding in 1975, Cultureel Centrum De Triangel has organised concerts, exhibitions, children’s performances, theatre and films. Its cultural activities were transferred in 2026.
The Harddraverij and its date
The Venhuizen Harddraverij is a 300-metre sprint horse race held in the centre of town. Since 1960, the Harddraverijvereniging Venhuizen has organised the race on Pinkster drie, the third day of Pentecost. In April 2021, Harddraverij Venhuizen/Pinkster 3 was added to the Dutch Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. If you would like to include the race in your stay, check the specific event date in advance.
Horticulture and routes along the IJsselmeer
TuinGoed Bonatèr is a young organic nursery in the West Frisian village of Venhuizen, near the IJsselmeer dyke between Hoorn and Enkhuizen. The nursery includes a farm shop selling agricultural produce, as well as a play meadow, pedal boats, an electric whisper boat and ponies. Kite flying, fishing and water sports are also possible there. Operating conditions and availability may change, so please check before your visit.
A handbike route through Venhuizen follows quiet side roads lined with small houses and stolpboerderijen, as well as the wide dyke along the IJsselmeer. The entire route is paved; check the conditions before setting out.
A 31-kilometre cycling route starts in Enkhuizen and follows side roads through Lutjebroek and Westwoud to Venhuizen. It then follows the Zuiderdijk along the IJsselmeer back to Enkhuizen. Venhuizen is therefore a stop along this loop, not its starting point. Check the route conditions before planning your trip.
Plan your stay
If you are looking for a hotel in Venhuizen, you can first decide what you would like to focus on during your stay: historic buildings and the Harddraverij offer a glimpse into local history, while the routes put the emphasis on outdoor activity and scenery. For events and offers whose availability may change, it is advisable to check the specific dates and conditions before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Wijdenes, Schellinkhout, Westwoud, Hoogkarspel, Oosterleek, Hem.
Go to the main travel overview: Drechterland.
