The Does runs through Hoogmade; mill stories, water management and a path along the A4 give the town a range of historical and landscape perspectives. The O.L. Vrouw Geboorte – De Goede Herder church is another topic to consider when planning a stay. If you are looking for hotels in Hoogmade, you can decide whether mill history or the polder landscape should be your main focus.
Mills and their history
The Hoogmadese molen was built in 1897 on the foundation of its predecessor. That predecessor was also a post mill. The construction date and foundation therefore tell a story of building history that connects with an older type of mill. The Hoogmadese molen is also called “De Heerlijkheid.” The name is probably related to the fact that the polder almost coincides with the area of the former heerlijkheid of Hoogmade. This explanation therefore remains a probable historical connection.
The Vlietmolen’s history centers on a dramatic event and a later restoration. During the night of 27–28 September 1956, the kingpost broke in a severe storm; the sails and their framework then collapsed. Since a major restoration in 2002, the new Archimedean screw can once again be powered by wind. These details concern different parts of the mill’s history: storm damage to the sails and their framework, and the later return of wind power to the screw. The years 1956 and 2002 are 46 years apart.
The Grosmolen was also extensively restored, in 1966/67. It can be visited when its sails are turning. If you would like to see the mill, check before your visit whether this condition is met.
Water management and the polder landscape
The Doesmolen and the Kalkmolen jointly serve as an auxiliary pumping station for the 90-hectare Doespolder. The stated pumping head is 1.50 metres. This brings together two technical aspects of water management: the Vlietmolen’s new screw can once again be powered by wind, while the Doesmolen and Kalkmolen jointly serve as an auxiliary pumping station for the Doespolder.
The Polderpad offers a different perspective: it runs along a shell path beside the A4.
Local history as another focus
The O.L. Vrouw Geboorte – De Goede Herder church has been back in use since 2024. This more recent date offers a different focus from the mills’ construction and restoration history. If you are interested in local history, you can include the church in your travel plans alongside water engineering and the landscape. Hoogmade thus offers several distinct points of interest: the history of a type of mill, the consequences of a storm, the joint pumping function of two mills, and a route along the A4.
Discover more destinations: Roelofarendsveen, Rijpwetering, Woubrugge, Kaag.
For the broader travel overview: Kaag En Braassem.
