Delden’s historic centre dates back to 1333, when Delden was granted town privileges. Old façades and distinctive buildings shape the townscape. Alongside the town’s history, nearby Landgoed Twickel offers a different focus: gardens, woods and nature areas, as well as walking and cycling routes. This gives you a choice between cultural sights in town and outdoor activities when planning your visit.
Townscape, churches and salt history
The town’s architectural history can be seen in two churches. The Nieuwe St. Blasiuskerk was built in 1872–1873 as a Neo-Gothic pseudo-basilica; its tower followed in 1887. Its features include a two-manual organ with an independent pedal, built by M. Maarschalkerweerd in 1913. The Grote of Oude Blasiuskerk houses a Naber organ dating from 1847. A Romanesque window shows that the building was originally Romanesque.
The Twickeler Houtzaagmolen, a sawmill in Delden dating from 1771, adds another historical highlight. The Zoutmuseum also connects local history with a broader subject. It presents the history of salt in an educational and engaging way, looking beyond the Twickel, Boekelo and Hengelo region. One specific local connection is the discovery of salt in the soil of the gardens of Twickel Castle in 1886. This date places the discovery in context; the exhibition also covers the broader history of salt.
Town walk or trails in Twickel
The self-guided Stadswandeling takes you through the historic centre and explores Delden’s connection with Twickel. The booklet with explanations is available from Tourist Info Delden and covers a 3.75-kilometre route. The activity follows a recurring seasonal schedule; specific dates and the meeting point may change. The booklet’s availability may also vary, so check these details before your trip.
Another option is the 2.1-kilometre circular walk through the Kasteeltuinen of Twickel. It passes the gardens’ sights. Comparing the two routes can help you choose: the Stadswandeling explores the historic centre with explanatory notes, while the shorter walk focuses on the gardens. The grounds around Twickel Castle include, among other features, an orangery garden, a rock garden and the rose walk.
Landgoed Twickel is close to Delden. The estate is freely accessible from sunrise to sunset; the woods and nature areas are open daily during these hours. Check local rules before you travel. Twickel offers numerous opportunities for walking and cycling. Tourist Info Delden also provides walking and cycling routes, maps, information about places of interest and guidebooks. If you would like to use these materials, check in advance for current arrangements.
Museum farm and annual Wendezoeledagen
The Museumboerderij Wendezoele is close to Delden and Twickel Castle, at Erve Brinkcate, a listed historic farmstead. Well-maintained fields, gardens and an orchard surround the museum farm. Farming is still carried out there as it was half a century ago. This offers a different way to explore the region’s past than the churches and salt history: the focus is on the farm and traditional agriculture.
The annual Wendezoeledagen take place from Wednesday to Sunday; the exact dates vary from year to year. Check that year’s programme when planning your visit. Together with the seasonally offered Stadswandeling, they provide two different reasons to visit for which specific dates are important.
Discover more destinations: Diepenheim, Bentelo, Markelo, Goor, Ambt Delden, Hengevelde.
Return to the main travel overview: Hof Van Twente.
