Highlights from your holiday home in Eibergen: watermills, a peatland with flamingos and the fortified town of Groenlo

If there’s one region in the Netherlands where forests, streams and farmland constantly alternate, it’s the Achterhoek! Choose a cycling route from Eibergen and you’ll not only cross the beautiful bocage landscape, but also pass special highlights such as a flamingo breeding area and the fortified town of Groenlo. Looking for a base for a walking route along watermills and the Berkel River, or would you like to go boating on the Groenlosche Slinge? Enjoy relaxation and the rural charm of the Achterhoek and Twente from your holiday home in Eibergen!

Hof van Eckberge: the most fun family outing near your holiday home in Eibergen

A great adventure park where children can play both indoors and outdoors is Hof van Eckberge. The park is also home to unique animals such as the armadillo, a sloth and the panther chameleon. It’s impressively large and designed entirely with the wishes of families in mind. Outdoors, kids will find adventurous climbing equipment, a zipline, a giant trampoline and a water playground. Parents won’t get bored either, with attractions such as the Cuban-style mini golf course, a bowling alley and laser tag. All in all, Hof van Eckberge is a huge play paradise and a must-visit during your holiday in Eibergen!

Walk from the Mallumse watermill to the Watermölle in Haaksbergen

A beautiful landmark near Eibergen is the Mallumse watermill, which also marks the starting point of a walk through the Achterhoek landscape. At first you’ll follow the Berkel River. When the path bends left, you’ll walk along a canal leading toward the provincial border with Overijssel. Along the way you’ll enter De Lankheet, a nature reserve with forest, heath and a pond with stepping stones. Tip: extend the route to the Watermölle on the Buurserbeek, just below Haaksbergen. Here, a restaurant with an outdoor terrace overlooks two grinding mills on either side of the watermill.

Zwillbrocker Venn: Spot flamingos across the border

A trip across the border always piques curiosity. This is certainly the case when traveling from the Achterhoek into Germany, where just over the border from Eibergen lies an extensive peatland that serves as habitat for flamingos: the Zwillbrocker Venn. Take a walk around the lake where you can spot a whole colony of these pink waders and climb the observation tower for a panoramic view of the nature reserve.

Strolling and boating in Groenlo

Consider combining your visit to the flamingo reserve with a city walk in the nearby town of Groenlo. It’s one of the few fortified towns in the Achterhoek, with cannons still standing as witnesses of the fierce battles once fought here. Curious to know more? A guide will happily share stories on an organized tour. Afterwards, enjoy a coffee on the cozy square. Want to see Groenlo and its surroundings from the water? Reserve a boat at Restaurant Welgelegen, optionally combined with coffee and apple pie or even a picnic basket.

Cycling or driving past Weldam and Warmelo Castles

Want to soak up the picturesque Achterhoek while heading toward a worthwhile destination? Hop on a bike and ride to Weldam Castle, an architectural gem surrounded by a vast estate. The geometric park features symmetrical hedge gardens, so-called parterres, tree-lined avenues and a 150-meter-long berceau: a beech hedge that forms a natural tunnel. The estate is also a starting point for marked walking and cycling routes. Another castle nearby worth visiting before or after is Warmelo Castle, a moated manor house with a large estate. A unique highlight here is the sand sculpture exhibition, displayed throughout the grounds.

Visit Erve Kots in Lievelde from your holiday home in Eibergen

Craving pancakes with a side of culture? Erve Kots in Lievelde is the place where everything comes together! On the grounds you’ll find centuries-old farmhouses and a sawmill. At the Brouwhoes you can learn about the beer brewing process and taste the local brew. Not too hungry but fancy a treat? Order a drink with a slice of krentenwegge, the local currant bread! Also fun: join in the shooting game as part of the interactive experience tour.

Visit the German town of Vreden and walk along the Berkel

Be surprised by the German town of Vreden, too. The Berkel River flows right through it, winding idyllically through the landscape, to the delight of walkers and canoeists. The city park is also an open-air museum with historic farmhouses, where you can sometimes buy traditionally baked bread. Traveling with kids? Head to Berkelbeach on the Berkelsee, where they can play on climbing equipment or cross the water on a pull ferry.

Take a ride in an old fire truck from Borculo

Borculo is home to a museum dedicated to historic fire trucks. The collection includes a wide variety of vehicles, from carriages to the first vans, but the highlight is definitely the excursion ride. Regardless of group size, you’ll enjoy the countryside for a fixed price, sometimes accompanied by the sound of the old fire siren. Note that driver availability requires early booking, so make sure to reserve at least a week in advance if you don’t want to miss this legendary ride!

Rent a holiday home in Eibergen

The area around Eibergen is a peaceful and picturesque corner of the Netherlands, perfect for a holiday full of relaxation. Think of a leisurely walk or a boat trip in Groenlo, rounded off with a coffee on a terrace. Boredom won’t be an option! Imagine pink flamingos in Germany’s Zwillbrocker Venn, the adventure park Hof van Eckberge, or a walk along rustic watermills. Want to spend a truly satisfying holiday in the Achterhoek? Consider renting a holiday home in Eibergen for the perfect blend of nature and unique attractions!