A nearly perfectly preserved linen trading house and routes through the Twente countryside give Borne a distinctive character; the townscape of Oud Borne has been protected since 1991. Hertme and Zenderen also reveal different facets of the region: historic architecture, open-air culture and trails that can be explored over varying distances.
Linen trading and history in Borne
The Bussemakerhuis Museum is the only surviving linen trading house in the Netherlands and is in almost original condition. The building was constructed in 1655 and renovated in 1779 by manufacturer Jan Bussemaker. Its permanent exhibition also explores the importance of linen today. Here, the history of the house and the present-day significance of a material come together in one place.
Another focal point is Oud Borne. It has been a protected townscape since 1991, and several 19th-century buildings have been preserved. The 3.9-kilometre Rode Draad route starts at Borne railway station and passes through Oud Borne. For a different way to discover its streets and buildings, take the Borns Onderonsje audio walk: it leads through Oud Borne and Hertme, while Borne residents share stories about monuments and prominent buildings.
The history of the Jewish community is also part of the townscape. Borne Synagogue was officially opened in 1843 and regularly focuses on the history of the synagogue and Borne’s former Jewish community. Its programme includes exhibitions, concerts, lectures and courses; individual events may vary. Stolpersteine outside former homes commemorate Borne’s Jewish residents.
The Klopjeswoningen add another architectural and religious thread. Only two of these houses have survived in Borne. The Klopjeswoning on the edge of Oud Borne dates in part from the 17th century; in 1786, a dwelling was specifically added for a klopje. The Pinksterbruidjes tradition, meanwhile, continues in Borne every year on the first day of Pentecost and is listed in the Netherlands’ Centre for Folk Culture and Intangible Heritage register.
Architecture and culture in Hertme
Openluchttheater Hertme is set in green surroundings and has a backdrop reminiscent of the Middle Ages. Its established programme includes concerts, children’s performances and the Africa Festival. As the programme may change, it is advisable to check event dates before your visit.
H. Stephanuskerk in Hertme was built in 1902–1903 to a neo-Gothic design by architect Wolter te Riele. Visits are possible during weekend services and on special days. Its construction period and style give the church a distinct place in Hertme’s architectural landscape, while the open-air theatre provides a different cultural note.
Routes through forests, fields and hedgerow landscapes
Around Borne, walking routes follow sandy and paved paths through forests and meadows, as well as hedgerow landscapes with wide-open views. The Kloosterpad Zenderen offers 3-, 5-, 8- and 11-kilometre options, which can be walked daily. The route passes through forests and across fields, as well as through the Weleveld estate. Its course may occasionally be adjusted, so check the details before setting out. Every two years, a Kloosterpad walk is also held, focusing on culture, history and religion.
The 58-kilometre Hulsbeek–De Lutte cycling route offers a very different scale. It passes through Oud Borne and across the Twente hedgerow landscape towards the Tankenberg. Borne, Hertme and Zenderen are important junctions in the regional network of well-known cycling and walking routes. This gives visitors a choice between shorter sections and a longer cycling route for exploring the area.
Route-finding is also the focus at Spanjaardgemaal: a Twente Route Network information board is located there, and the site serves as a starting point for routes. Visitors can press a button, look through viewing openings and watch a video about the site. In central Borne, the TOP is at the railway station; from there, you can connect to the regional cycling network.
More discoveries in the area
Kulturhus Borne provides information about events and attractions, as well as walking and cycling maps. Those interested in Meijershof will find another cultural and historical connection there: the courtyard complex is one of Borne’s most significant national monuments, and the area still evokes Borne’s agricultural origins. The grounds are open to the walking public and occasionally serve as a venue for theatre in unusual locations.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Borne, Zenderen, Hertme, Olst-Wijhe, Wierden, Enschede, Oldenzaal, Hof Van Twente.
For the main travel overview: Overijssel.
