Vilsteren offers several distinct ways to explore cultural history, landscaped countryside and walking. The landscape today is a mix of esdorp (traditional village) scenery and country estate scenery. Viewpoints, walking routes and buildings each offer a different perspective. When planning your visit, you can first decide whether the landscape views, a themed route or the architecture matters most to you.

Vilsteren’s Landscape and Viewpoints

Stikkebelt, Kurkentrekker and Theekoepel each offer a different perspective on the surrounding landscape. Stikkebelt is a viewing mound created in 2001 on the southern side of the heath, right at the end of a sightline on the country estate. From the Kurkentrekker, you can look towards the Vecht, which forms the northern boundary of the estate. However, the water you can see is an old, cut-off meander of the Vecht, not the river itself. From the Theekoepel, you can look across the Molen Es towards the village. The differences can be summed up briefly: Stikkebelt marks a sightline, at the Kurkentrekker the identity of the visible water matters, and the Theekoepel offers a view of the village. You can choose based on your interest in landscape design, the course of the river or village views.

Choose Walking Routes by Theme and Length

The Vilsteren estate has five walking routes with different themes and lengths. Each route comes with a map, a route description and information about places of interest along the way. This lets you weigh up two specific criteria when choosing: which theme appeals to you and what route length you prefer. The materials provide both route guidance and information about interesting places along the way. The Vilsterse Spaziergang (Vilsteren Walk) remains fully accessible.

Church Architecture and English Landscape Design

The Sint Willibrorduskerk was built between 1896 and 1897 as a Neo-Gothic pseudo-basilica and has a 40-metre-high tower. A pseudo-basilica has a higher central nave than its side aisles, but no separate window zone above the side aisles. The Cremerskapel is attached to the south side of the church at the level of the altar. Its position makes the chapel part of the church building. The Kluizenaarshut offers a different connection to the design of the estate: it is a good example of a so-called “folly” in the English landscape design style. The church and the folly thus represent different fields: sacred architecture and landscape design.

Plan Your Visit and Market Dates

Visitors are warmly welcome at Landgoed Vilsteren. The Boerenmarkt Vilsteren is held on the third Saturday of every month; dates may vary in exceptional circumstances. If you plan to visit the market, check the exact date before you travel. For a walk, choose based on the themes and lengths of the routes. Planning a market visit and choosing a walk therefore involve two different questions: the right date and your preferred route.

Explore Accommodation Options

Discover more destinations: Dalmsholte, Beerzerveld, Arrien, Ommen, Lemele, Beerze, Stegeren, Giethmen.

Go to the main travel overview: Ommen.