Discover Stemwede: moorland, mills and half-timbered houses

Stemwede offers ways to plan a visit around nature, historic townscapes and specific activities.

Nature and gardens

In Oppenweher Moor, you can observe rare animals and plants; cranes also pass through in autumn. You can arrange guided excursions with a moorland expert through the Stemwede Tourist Information Office, by registering in advance.

The gardens also offer a variety of experiences. Rila erleben features a 20,000-square-metre site in Stemwede-Levern with international themed gardens, inviting visitors to stroll and linger. The two-hectare NaturGarten mit KunstObjekten in Niedermehnen is a garden refuge for people and animals and also serves as a forum for artists.

Levern: half-timbered houses and architectural history

The well-preserved collegiate village of Levern, with its half-timbered houses, invites visitors to explore on foot. The collegiate church is one of the oldest churches in the Diocese of Minden. A double church, it brings together the former monastery church and the Evangelical Lutheran parish church under one roof. On a guided tour of the historic town centre, the Stiftsdamen accompany guests in historical costumes.

Individual houses also tell the story of the area. Henriette Davidis lived in the Pfarrwitwenhaus in Levern from 1838 to 1855. The Heimathaus Levern and Heimathaus Wehdem offer insights into the history of their respective towns and into life and work in Stemwede in the past.

Cycling and accommodation

The Stemweder Feld- und Wiesen-Route is an easy 18.7-kilometre circular cycle route. It starts and ends at the car park at Haus des Gastes, Buchhofstraße 17, 32351 Stemwede. As route information may change, check the latest details before setting off.

The Hollenmühle car park and motorhome pitch serve as starting points for walks and cycle rides; the pitch is also suitable for overnight stays. This is a separate option for motorhome travellers and complements the search for a hotel with another type of accommodation.

Mills, food and events

The Levern Windmill is a gallery Dutch windmill dating from 1922. Its features include a solid rubble-stone lower storey and a distinctive, boarded and shingled hexagonal cap. On milling and baking days at the mills in Stemwede, you can try warm mill bread and fresh butter cake. At Rila Feinkostwelt, visitors can sample and buy a wide range of products and find out more about them.

The Stemweder Open Air has been held every year in August in the district of Haldem since 1976. If the festival is the reason for your trip, check the exact date for your travel year. Töpferei Sundern offers bookable pottery classes for children and adults; visitors are welcome.

Discover more destinations: Rahden, Preussisch Oldendorf, Petershagen, Minden, Hille, Espelkamp, Lübbecke, Hüllhorst

For the overview of the wider region: Minden-Lübbecke.