A former tram station building, a church with a long history and the reed beds along the Waardkanaal give Wieringerwaard a range of themes to explore on a trip: transport history, religious and architectural heritage, and nature. There is also the history of the polder and activities to enjoy. When choosing where to stay, you can first decide whether historic buildings, a walk in the bird reserve or outdoor activities should be your main focus.
Polder History and Tram Heritage
The Wieringen–Schagen tramway served Wieringerwaard. It opened on 1 March 1912 and closed in 1936. The former Wieringerwaard tram station building had already been built in 1910 for the Van Ewijcksvaart–Schagen tram line in the Netherlands. It is considered a rare, largely preserved station building from the tramway, in the transitional architectural style. The station was therefore built before the line opened.
The Polderhuis is also one of the early buildings in the newly reclaimed polder: it was built in 1612. The meeting room contains an imposing tiled fireplace and an 18th-century fitted cupboard. The Polderhuis collection is housed in three rooms: the hall, the former guard’s kitchen and the upper room, furnished in a formal style.
The Stolpboerderij at Nieuwesluis 17 was probably built around 1611, shortly after the Wieringerwaard was drained in 1610. It served as an inn and horse-changing station for the towboat service between Wieringerwaard and Kolhorn. Its history connects the distinctive form of a Stolpboerderij with a specific former role in transport on the water.
Religious Heritage and Nature
The Witte Kerkje Wieringerwaard has stood on the site of a wooden church dating from 1636 since 1865. Historic gravestones have been preserved in the church building; the oldest dates from 1639. The Witte Kerkje is a Rijksmonument, a listed national heritage site. The dates tell the story of the church site’s different phases, from the wooden predecessor to the present-day church building.
The 3.8-kilometre-long Waardkanaal nature reserve is characterised by wide reed beds that provide habitat for various reed-dwelling birds. You can walk through the bird reserve. Bird numbers may vary by season, so if you hope to spot reed birds, take the time of year into account when planning your visit.
The Stolpboerderijen are also part of Wieringerwaard’s architectural heritage. You can count more than 35 of them by bicycle along Barsingerweg, Noordzijperweg and Zuidzijperweg. Individual buildings and cycling conditions may change; check the situation before setting off. The address Molenweg 41, 1766 HN Wieringerwaard, is part of the “Langs parels in de polder” monument route. Check access to the route before your visit.
Activities and Planning Your Stay
Eendracht Adventures offers paintball across seven varied playing fields. Another option is the 1,100-metre obstacle course, with 14 different obstacles over land and water to tackle using tactics and teamwork. The two activities are quite different: paintball takes place across several playing fields, while the obstacle course is a long route with a range of challenges. As availability may change, check the activities before making them a firm part of your plans.
When looking for a holiday rental in Wieringerwaard, it helps to decide in advance what you want to focus on during your stay. Someone primarily interested in exploring the history of the polder and transport will plan differently from someone who wants to include a walk in the bird reserve or an activity. Choose the themes that genuinely suit your trip, and plan the length and pace of your stay around them. This leaves room to choose, rather than overloading your itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Barsingerhorn, Kolhorn, Winkel, Hippolytushoef, Westerland, Kreileroord
Go to the main travel overview: Hollands Kroon.
