Discover Herford: Art, History and Trails

Herford offers several clearly distinct themes to consider when planning a trip: Marta Herford brings together art, design and architecture; throughout the district, historic sites, museums and trails offer further perspectives. These attractions are in different locations, not all at a single place to visit. When looking for a hotel, it helps to first sort your planned visits by location and interest. This will help you decide whether art and architecture in Herford, a museum theme or a route will be the main focus of your trip.

Experience Art and History

Marta Herford brings together art, design and architecture under one roof; the building was designed by Frank Gehry. It also offers exhibitions, events and educational programs for museum visitors of all ages. For a cultural visit, you can take in both the architecture and the current program.

Vlotho Castle offers a different historical perspective. Heinrich von Oldenburg had it built around 1250 on the Deesberg, now called Amtshausberg. The castle served to control the Weser and the trade routes that converged in Vlotho. From its wall, you can enjoy a view across the Weser Valley. You can reach the castle ruins by car or e-bike; on foot, trails through the castle forest or along the Apothekerweg lead there. Check local trail conditions before your visit.

Trails and Countryside in the Herford District

The Hansaweg starts at Herford station, initially follows the Werre and then climbs to the Bismarck Tower, with scenic views along the way. The Wittekindsroute covers a different scale: it is 143 kilometers long in total and passes through Herford, Bad Salzuflen, Vlotho, Löhne, Kirchlengern, Bünde, Rödinghausen, Spenge and Enger. At 24 stops, stories recount the region’s development. The routes therefore differ both in their starting point and in the number of places and stops mentioned.

Nature and geology offer further, distinct points of interest for planning. The A Loop of the nature trail in Rödinghausen is around 2,000 meters long and accessible. The Doberg in Bünde is recognized as one of the globally valid geological reference sites for the Chattian. Hücker Moor combines a landscape with its history of formation: its approximately twelve-hectare moor lake was created in the late 18th century through peat extraction.

Museums and Regional Architecture

Three museums are housed under one roof at the Museum Bünde. They provide information about geology, tobacco and the history of the region; interactive information media, including listening and smelling stations, complement the exhibits. In Enger, the Widukind Museum takes visitors through the centuries and explores how perceptions of the figure of Widukind have changed.

At the Werburg Museum in Spenge, visitors can try out how an archaeological dig works in a simulated excavation. Interactive stations introduce the castle’s history. A QR code at the castle complex also points visitors to a digital scavenger hunt. Gut Hiddenhausen adds another architectural highlight: the farmstead is one of the few Baroque complexes of its kind in East Westphalia-Lippe to be fully preserved and unaltered.

Practical Information

To get to H2O Herford, take regional bus route 433 from Herford station or city bus route S3 from the Alter Markt to the Freizeitbad H2O stop. Check the connection before setting off. When planning your stay, considering the locations will help you put together visits in Herford and other destinations in the district to suit your interests.

Discover more destinations: Bünde, Herford, Löhne, Sundern, Vlotho, Hiddenhausen, Kirchlengern, Rödinghausen, Enger, Spenge.

See the overarching travel guide: North Rhine-Westphalia.