Visitors to Borsele can shape their stay around the landscape, walking or regional history. Self-guided walking routes in Landschapspark Borsele can be explored independently and at your own pace. There are also historic sites, museums and a nostalgic ride on the Stoomtrein Goes-Borsele. These experiences offer different focuses. For planning purposes, it is therefore worth deciding first whether you mainly want to spend time outdoors or discover cultural history.
Walking and Landscape in Borsele
Around the restored 17th-century Hoeve Van der Meulen are standard orchards, species-rich fields, hedgerows and humped pastures. The area illustrates what the landscape looked like over the centuries. Walking routes that can be linked together start at the Hoeve. The original farmhouse has been furnished as a museum house and shows how the farm’s former residents lived. This lets you combine the landscape with a glimpse of life on the farm in the past, without turning them into a single stop.
The Zwaakse Weel also combines nature and walking: it is one of the largest nature reserves in the Zak van Zuid-Beveland, and a walking route starts at its information centre. Those who prefer to cycle can take a 53-kilometre route through Landschapspark Borsele. It follows the cycling junction network and can be shortened as desired. In summer, cycling tours pass over flower-lined dikes; near the Zwaakse Weel, a broad creek, fields and flowering old cultivated plants shape the landscape. The municipality is also known as the Zak van Zuid-Beveland.
Museums, a Mill and Historic Sites
The Stoomtrein Goes-Borsele offers a nostalgic ride on its own museum railway line, connecting Goes with Hoedekenskerke. It runs on designated days; check the timetable before planning your ride. The Bevrijdingsmuseum Zeeland offers a different historical focus, covering the history of Zeeland during the Second World War.
Just outside the village of Borssele stands De Hoop en Verwachting, a working grain mill built in 1714. Slot Baarland also offers a glimpse into regional history: the estate dates back to the early 14th century and was one of Zeeland’s larger castles at the height of its prosperity. It is open to visitors on various open days; check the specific dates before you arrive. Fort Ellewoutsdijk was built between 1835 and 1839. Visitors can explore its underground rooms.
’t Wienkeltje van Wullempje evokes the atmosphere of the years 1930 to 1950. Exhibits include historic box beds, one of them with a baby’s cradle, old objects and dolls dressed in Zuid-Beveland costume. The exhibits offer a different way to explore regional history than the Bevrijdingsmuseum or the preserved historic buildings.
More Attractions and Regional Specialities
Those looking for other types of attractions will find, among other things, De Spettertuin, Kids Jungle, Adventure Minigolf, De Natuurklas, Dino Expo, Fossielenmijn, Schat Zoeken, De Natuurzolder and Buitenspeelbos at Tropical Zoo. Pluimweide Park has an 800-metre miniature railway, remote-controlled boats, a water-splash play area and a viewing tower in a water labyrinth. Both attractions are therefore quite different from walking trails and historical exhibitions.
Stalls along roads in the municipality of Borsele, selling fresh vegetables and fruit, are also part of the local scene. The Zeeuwse Bolus is a local Zeeland sweet treat. These glimpses of regional produce complement the landscape and cultural themes with a culinary perspective.
Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests
When choosing your accommodation, you can start by considering which themes matter most to you on your trip: walking trails and landscape, museums and history, or a variety of leisure activities. The destinations listed offer different ways to experience Borsele; they do not form a single route or set itinerary. If you are planning visits that depend on opening times, it is worth checking the Stoomtrein’s operating days and Slot Baarland’s open days in advance.
Discover more destinations: Borssele, Heinkenszand, Hoedekenskerke, Baarland, Oudelande, 'S-Gravenpolder, Ovezande, Lewedorp, 's-Heer Abtskerke, Nieuwdorp.
For the overview of the wider region: Zeeland.
