The Dijkstoel at Kolkweg 2 in Laag Zuthem is a municipal monument: it was originally a dijkstoel, and the building is now used for storage. Other historic landmarks include the estates of De Colckhof and Den Alerdinck. Their houses, parklands and landscapes offer varied highlights, from architectural history to nature.

De Colckhof: avenues, meadows and architectural history

The 40-hectare De Colckhof estate lies between Laag Zuthem and Heino and combines woodland with an expansive agricultural landscape. Ponds, winding avenues and views across rolling meadows define the estate. Songbirds such as nightingales, golden orioles, yellowhammers and common redstarts nest in its hedges and avenues. Alongside the historic buildings, the landscape can be seen as a distinctive part of the estate’s history.

De Colckhof was mentioned in the 13th century as “Goed ten Kolcke” and was a spieker, or grain store, in the 18th century. Construction of the present Neoclassical manor house began around 1850. The main house is of general importance because of its age and the distinctive design of its front and rear sections, which were built in several phases. The gatekeeper’s house, Bagatelle, was built in 1867. Beside the pond stands the timber-framed Eendenhuisje, with cement-rusticated walls. The Teekoepel stands on a hill in the Ronde Bos and is shaped like an elegant semicircular Doric temple with marble columns.

Den Alerdinck: parkland and historic buildings

The Den Alerdinck estate covers 120 hectares of farmland, woodland and natural areas. Huize Den Alerdinck was recognized as a havezate around 1647. The estate includes the castle Het Koningshuis, a historic coach house, several manor houses and gardens. The main building is of general importance because of its age, its Neoclassical architecture, its preserved exterior and the surviving parts of its interior.

The parkland also preserves traces of different periods: its well-preserved avenue system dates from the 17th and 18th centuries and was incorporated into a surviving landscape park in the early 19th century. Part of an old sea dike dating from around 1829 to 1830 remains on the historic park grounds. The Bouwhuis originally dates from the 18th century. Together, these features offer an overview of the estate’s architectural and garden history.

Choose walking trails by length and route characteristics

The Colckhof walking route is 2.3 kilometres long, marked with blue arrows and takes about an hour. As markings may change, check the latest information before setting out. The IJssels rivierenlandschap route passes over the Zeedijk just outside Laag Zuthem; markings and conditions may change there too, so it is worth checking the current route.

Two other options are available for longer walks: the 9-kilometre Rond Den Alerdinck route near Heino passes through the historic estates of De Colckhof and Den Alerdinck. The Trage Tocht Colckhof en Alerdinck is 10 kilometres long, with at least 70 per cent of the route on unpaved paths. You can compare the routes by length, surface and their connection to the estates. From the approximately one-hour Colckhof walk to the 9- or 10-kilometre routes, there is a choice of different time commitments and route characteristics.

Discover more destinations: Heeten, Broekland, Nieuw-Heeten, Luttenberg, Raalte, Heino

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