In Houten, archaeological traces, a historic village setting and a range of outdoor activities come together. You can focus your stay on local history, get active on the sports trail or spend time by the water. The offerings appeal to different interests and leave you free to choose the focus of your trip.
Archaeology and history in Houten
Settlement traces from the Iron Age, Roman period and Middle Ages have been documented in the municipality of Houten. These different periods provide a broad timeframe for the area’s history. At the Het Oude Station Archaeological Museum, the “Leen de Keijzer” archaeological working group displays archaeological finds.
The exhibition “4000 years of Houten’s history” offers another historical perspective. Various display cases show the interplay between Castellum Fectio in Bunnik and life in Houten. The connection with Bunnik is thus part of the exhibition’s subject; at the same time, the presentation focuses on life in Houten.
De Roskam also offers a specific historical reference point: the place has existed since at least 1630, while its present-day appearance dates to around 1735. The two details describe different things—the long existence of De Roskam and the creation of its current appearance. Restaurant De Roskam serves food and drinks in the heart of Houten.
In Oude Dorp, you can stroll, walk or wander amid historic Houten. This offers a different way to experience local history from looking at finds and exhibition themes: here, the focus is on walking through a historic setting.
Sports, play and outdoor recreation
The Vijfwal sports trail is almost five kilometres long and includes 16 exercises, sports equipment and a sprint course. When planning, it is not just the length that matters, but also the various exercise activities along the route. If you are looking for an active outing, the trail offers specific exercise and sprint options in addition to the route itself.
At Speelbos Nieuw Wulven, children can climb and build. You can also see the outline of a large former fort and numerous artworks there. Play and visual design shape the place in different ways: the activities are aimed at children, while the fort outline and artworks are further features of the play forest.
Speelboerderij Houten is a petting zoo and playground at Keercamp 17. The Hof van Wulven recreation area offers space for walkers, joggers and children at play. The two places offer different leisure activities: Speelboerderij Houten centres on the petting zoo and playground, while Hof van Wulven offers the stated opportunities for walking, jogging and playing.
Water activities and regional routes
The bodies of water also differ in the activities mentioned: at Kooikersplas, you can fish and go boating. Swimming is possible at Rietplas from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. As swimming information may change seasonally, check the latest details before your visit.
This distinction is useful when choosing a suitable day’s activities: Kooikersplas is for fishing and boating, while Rietplas is for swimming. You can therefore choose your water activity according to what you want to do, rather than treating the options as interchangeable.
Houten is one of the places in the Kromme Rijnstreek. The region has walking and cycling routes, providing a regional setting for travellers who are considering routes on foot or by bike in addition to the experiences mentioned above.
Discover more destinations: 'T Goy, Schalkwijk.
Go to the main travel overview: Houten.
