Westwoud combines an agricultural setting with tangible evidence of Dutch architectural history. The village has churches, a stone boundary post and a stolp farmhouse; nearby is Drachterveld, a 22-hectare water storage area. You can weigh up local cultural history and activities in a landscape with walking, cycling and boating routes as different focuses for your stay.
Churches and Architectural History
A Dutch Reformed church stands at Dr. Nuijensstraat 24. It was built in 1875 to a design by architect A.T. van Wijngaarden. It is considered a rare, well-preserved and authentic example of an eclectic church from the third quarter of the 19th century. The building can therefore be considered both in terms of its specific year of construction and its architectural classification.
Another church is located at Dr. Nuijensstraat 78. Th. Molkenboer designed it in 1849 as a three-aisled cruciform church. Its furnishings include neo-Baroque altars and images of saints; the organ was made by L. Ypma in 1863. In contrast to the church at No. 24, the focus here is on an earlier date of construction, a different architectural form and its furnishings.
In addition to the churches, there are other examples of historic architecture. The Banpaal at Dr. Nuijensstraat 128 is a stone boundary post topped with a lion and bearing the year 1754. The stolp farmhouse at Dr. Nuijensstraat 22 is a largely intact example of late 19th-century rural architecture. These two buildings complement the churches with other themes: boundary marking and agricultural architecture.
Heidens Kerkhof is at the corner of Noorderboekertweg and Oudijk. Westwoud’s oldest church, Heidens Kerkje, stood there until 1876. The church itself should not be confused with any of the surviving buildings: this is the former site and the history of church building in the village.
Countryside and Routes
Westwoud is in West Friesland. The landscape is characterised by expansive views and an agricultural setting, making it well suited to walking and cycling. The village’s history and its surrounding countryside offer different options when planning your trip.
Nearby, between Oosterblokker and Westwoud, lies Drachterveld. You can explore the 22-hectare water storage area on foot, by bicycle or by boat. The area has a boating route as well as cycling and walking trails. While the historic stops are individual buildings in the village, Drachterveld offers a larger area and several ways to explore the countryside.
A boating route nearby runs from Binnenwijzend via Lutjebroek and Grootebroek to Enkhuizen. The named places offer a different point of reference for choosing a route than the boating route in Drachterveld: this route focuses on the sequence of places along the way, while Drachterveld offers a water storage area with several ways to get around.
Cycling Information
The TOP Westwoud car park is at Dorpshuis De Schalm, Doctor Nuijensstraat, 1617 KC Westwoud. The nearest cycling junction to the TOP is number 83. If you use the TOP as your starting point, you’ll have both the car park’s address and a specific reference point for cycling.
Discover more destinations: Hem, Wijdenes, Venhuizen, Schellinkhout, Hoogkarspel, Oosterleek.
Return to the regional travel overview: Drechterland.
