Hechthausen: Church, Oste and Geestsee

St. Marien with its distinctive architectural features, nature watching at the Oste loop, water activities at Geestsee and the historic stops along the Oste each offer a different focus. Consider whether you would prefer to focus on architecture, landscape, swimming or regional history. The following destinations appeal to different interests and can be considered independently.

St. Marien: dimensions, windows and tower

St. Marien in Hechthausen combines distinctive architectural features. The nave is 24.45 metres long and 9.84 metres wide, and its ceiling is designed as a segmental barrel vault. Three stained-glass windows in the east gable depict Pentecost, the Last Supper and home. In addition to these details of the church interior, the tower has its own impressive scale: it took its current form in 1971, stands 23 metres tall and houses four bells. The interior underwent extensive renovations in 1960 and 2004.

Nature watching and history along the Oste

At the Oste loop near Laumühlen, visitors can observe local flora and fauna from an observation tower. Laumühlen is a district of Hechthausen between Lamstedt and Hechthausen. The Historic Oste Dyke Route offers a different perspective: it runs from Belum to Hechthausen and can be explored by car, bicycle or on foot. Along the Oste, more than 65 stops with texts, historical photographs and information panels tell the story of the villages along the Oste. The choice between the two options therefore depends on what you are looking for: nature watching from the observation tower or historical information along the route.

Water activities at Geestsee

Geestsee, a lake for swimming and fishing, is located in Hechthausen-Klint. Visitors can snorkel and dive, or swim, sunbathe and build sandcastles on the sandy beach. There is a separate swimming area at the lake for visitors with dogs. This brings together water sports and different ways to spend time on the sandy beach. Access and fees are subject to the facility’s current conditions. Day visitors can get tickets during opening hours at reception or, alternatively, at the Raubritter restaurant. As ticket outlets and opening hours may change, please check before your visit.

More destinations in the wider Cuxhaven destination

The wider Cuxhaven destination offers more distinct topics to explore. The UNESCO Wadden Sea Visitor Centre Cuxhaven presents an exhibition on three floors about the Wadden Sea and the Cuxhaven coastal heaths. The centre’s nature tours let you experience the mudflats, salt marsh, Geest cliff and coastal heath. Bederkesa Castle houses the archaeological museum of the District of Cuxhaven. Cuxhaven also offers maritime landmarks: the 29-metre-high Kugelbake, built of wood, marks where the Elbe ends and the North Sea begins. The two-storey Alte Liebe viewing platform offers a view of the Elbe. The Hapag Halls are a historic emigration facility and today serve as an events venue; guided tours and visits are available. The wider destination therefore brings together natural history, archaeology and maritime history alongside the themes of Hechthausen.

Discover more destinations: Beverstedt, Steinau, Otterndorf, Sandstedt, Land Wursten, Osten, Am Dobrock, Nordholz

To the overview of the wider destination: Cuxhaven.