Discover Gladbeck

Gladbeck can be explored through a range of themes. At Wittringen, the city museum, Bird Island and various leisure activities are all close together. Your stay can therefore span local history, wildlife and play, as well as sport and exercise. The interests you choose to focus on can also help you plan your days in Gladbeck.

Museum at Wittringen Castle

Gladbeck’s city museum has been housed in the historic manor house and gatehouse of Wittringen Castle since 1928. Wittringen’s history dates back to 1263. The museum explores the lives and history of the people of Gladbeck. Changing special exhibitions present these themes through objects, images and interviews. Exhibition topics may change, but they are connected by their focus on life in Gladbeck.

You can explore the permanent exhibition with a free audio guide on your own smartphone. The tour takes 43 minutes, giving you a specific timeframe for this part of your visit. As digital visitor services may change, check the latest information about the audio guide in advance.

The museum’s programme also includes educational programmes, guided tours and workshops for school classes across a range of subjects, age groups and school types. These activities are aimed at school classes and complement a visit to the exhibition with a dedicated educational programme.

Bird Island, play and nature

Eleven bright, spacious aviaries housing exotic birds line a circular path on Bird Island. The grounds include an approximately 3,900-square-metre open enclosure with a heated bird house, a pond and an open enclosure with goats. Bird Island therefore offers several different ways to discover wildlife, rather than focusing on just one facility.

The heated bird house includes a petting zoo. A large adventure playground for children of all ages is right next door. This close proximity is especially useful if you want to plan playtime and animal watching together.

A wooden bridge leads from the inner courtyard of Wittringen Castle to Bird Island, providing a direct link between the castle courtyard and the island. Wittringen Leisure Park also includes an accessible forest nature trail. It adds another way to connect with nature alongside the animal and play facilities.

Exercise and leisure at Wittringen

The Ringallee, also known as the Marathon Track, is used by runners and cyclists around Wittringen throughout the day and into the evening. At the edge of the leisure park, there are two privately operated mini-golf courses and public tennis courts. These activities appeal to a range of exercise interests. As the mini-golf courses are privately operated and operator information may change, it is advisable to check the latest details before your visit.

The leisure park also includes a listed stadium where international competitions take place. The schedule of events may vary. If a competition is important to your visit plans, check the latest dates. Visitors can take small, brightly coloured boats out onto the lake at the castle.

For planning purposes, the themes are easy to distinguish: the museum introduces you to Gladbeck’s history, Bird Island combines aviaries and animal enclosures, and the Ringallee, mini-golf, tennis and stadium offer various sports and leisure activities. There is also the playground, forest nature trail and a boat trip on the lake at the castle. This lets you tailor your stay in Gladbeck to the interests that matter most for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Oer-Erkenschwick, Hervest, Castrop-Rauxel, Herten, Waltrop, Marl, Haltern Am See, Recklinghausen.

Back to the main travel overview: Recklinghausen.