Broekhuizen: Hiking and Farm History

Broekhuizen can be explored for trip planning through two themes: hiking and the history of its farms. If you are looking for a hotel, this distinction can help you decide what to focus on during your stay. Routes, landscape features and architecture offer different ways to do so.

Landscape and Hiking Trails

Broekhuizen lies in a type of landscape known as an esgehuchten landscape. The village has elevated sandy areas known as dekzandkopjes (cover-sand hillocks). They were formed by the wind thousands of years ago. One particular feature may be a pingo ruin dating from the last Ice Age. These three terms describe different scales: the landscape classification, individual sandy rises and a possible geological feature. So when comparing Broekhuizen as a destination, you can consider whether you are more interested in the overall landscape type or in individual landforms. The two types of landform also differ in how they were formed: the dekzandkopjes were formed by the wind thousands of years ago, while the possible pingo ruin is attributed to the last Ice Age. The formation process and period are specified for the sandy rises, whereas the pingo ruin remains explicitly uncertain. This lets you distinguish the described landscape features by their origins and degree of certainty, rather than treating them as equally certain.

The “Historische wandeling Broekhuizen” (Broekhuizen Historic Walk) is a historic walking route. The De Hugt farm, also known as De Hogt, is considered a stop along this route. The “Eiberpad Meppel” circular trail passes through the cultural landscapes of Broekhuizen. This gives you a clear distinction to consider when choosing: a historic route with a named stop, or a circular trail through the cultural landscapes.

Farms and Architectural History

Broekhuizen 14 is a listed national monument and a gentleman farmer’s house, built in 1896 to a design by G (?) Otten of Meppel. Its cultural-historical, architectural-historical and urban-planning significance is linked to Ruinerwold’s development and prosperity at the end of the 19th century. The farm type, design, materials used and location all contribute to this significance. For travelers interested in cultural history, this connection between architectural form and the history of development makes the farm especially interesting: its date of construction, as well as its design and use of materials, are relevant to its classification.

At Oosterboerseweg 1 stands a 19th-century farm with a rear baander (barn door) and a hipped roof with a hipped end at the rear. The roof is partly covered with tiles and partly with thatch. The farmstead also includes a large wooden barn with a thatched hipped roof, which is currently partly covered with corrugated sheets. The two buildings can be distinguished by their details: the farm building is noted for its combination of tiles and thatch and its hipped rear end; the barn, for its timber construction and partial covering with corrugated sheets. This brings farm architecture to life through specific construction and roofing features.

Discover more destinations: De Schiphorst, Meppel, Nijeveen

Go to the main travel overview: Meppel.