Heikant is laid out as a long, linear settlement along the road between Koewacht and Sint Jansteen. The landscape also contributes to the character of the village: woodland plots on the Belgian border form its southern edge, while the polder landscape dominates on the northern side. The village’s history includes a distinctive church, monuments from the area’s former flax culture and the nearby Waterwinbossen. This lets you combine cultural heritage in the village with nature and outdoor activities nearby.

Church, Processional Walk and Flax Culture

The Sint-Theresia-van-het-Kind-Jezuskerk in Heikant is a single-nave cruciform church designed by F. B. Sturm. It has a restrained Expressionist design and several blind façades. The terms describe different aspects of the building: “single-nave” refers to the church interior, “cruciform” to its ground plan, and “Expressionist” to its architectural style.

The church complex includes a processional walk with seven chapels dedicated to Saint Thérèse. The site dates from 1934 and adds a distinct aspect of the village’s religious history to the church. The architecture and processional walk give the church complex two related but distinct focal points.

The area’s former flax culture is also represented in Heikant’s cultural heritage: numerous surviving monuments are connected with it. The local story therefore extends beyond the history of a single religious building. If you are interested in Heikant’s past, you can focus on the church’s architecture while also considering the broader connection between the village and flax culture.

Waterwinbossen: Landscape and Trails

The Waterwinbossen are located near Heikant in eastern Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, on the Belgian border between Clinge, Sint Jansteen and Heikant. The nature area lies on an old cover-sand dune. Its landscape includes forests, flower-rich meadows, heath-like vegetation and bodies of water. These different habitats shape the natural environment and offer a different focus from the polder landscape north of Heikant.

You can explore the Waterwinbossen on foot or by bicycle; a guided tour with a nature guide is also possible. The area has marked walking, cycling and horse-riding trails. A special Kabouterroute is also available for children. There are therefore different ways to explore the area, and not all trails are intended for the same activities.

The Waterwinbossen are open from sunrise to sunset. Bear this time window in mind when planning your day. As trail conditions and access rules can change, check them before your visit. The area’s natural diversity includes plant and animal species that are rarely found elsewhere in Zeeland, including squirrels, middle spotted woodpeckers and field crickets. These examples range from mammals and birds to insects.

Art and Events

Artists from Heikant open their studios during Kunstrondje Heikant and the Ambachtelijk Weekend. The specific dates may vary. If you would like to include studio visits in your travel plans, check the dates of both events in advance. Unlike the local architecture and the monuments associated with flax culture, these visits depend on event dates.

Heikant therefore offers two distinct ways to choose what to focus on: architectural and local history on the one hand, and nature and trails in the Waterwinbossen on the other. Kunstrondje Heikant and the Ambachtelijk Weekend add studio openings on set dates to these themes. Check the event dates and trail conditions in light of the activities you want to include in your stay.

Discover more destinations: Hulst, Terhole, Lamswaarde, Kloosterzande, Graauw, Vogelwaarde, Walsoorden, Hengstdijk

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