Nijensleek: Heathland, Fens and Architectural History

Nijensleek offers two distinct starting points for planning your trip: the heathland in the surrounding area and the architectural history along Hoofdweg. The landscape brings together fens and traces of earlier land use; along Hoofdweg, the buildings’ histories range from a farm that is probably older to a municipal monument from the 20th century.

Heathland and routes

Nijensleekerveld is a varied heathland landscape with three fens. It lies in the area around Nijensleek, west of Wilhelminaoord, and can only be reached on foot via the Schouwpad alongside the Nijensleeker Schipsloot. The “De Koloniën” leisure route passes the nature area and is 70 kilometres long. The information therefore answers different planning questions: the Schouwpad is the access route to the area, while “De Koloniën” describes a longer route that passes it. Check the route details before your trip.

The landscape’s earlier use is also part of its history. The peatlands around Nijensleek began to be reclaimed on a small scale from the late 13th century. The Nijensleeker Schipsloot was built to transport peat. The Vledder Aa is another point of interest in the landscape: Nijensleek lies in the river valley. In this way, the heathland and its fens, the location in the river valley and the history of peat transport stand alongside one another as distinct aspects.

Architectural history along Hoofdweg

A range of periods and architectural styles can be seen along Hoofdweg. The Gereformeerde Kerk at number 59 was built in 1934 and is a municipal monument. The parsonage at Hoofdweg 57 dates from around 1905. The Rieja Hoeve at number 69 dates from around 1935; this modern farmhouse has two sections set at right angles to each other. At Hoofdweg 118, there is a farmhouse complex that probably dates back to the 18th century, with a side entrance beneath a thatched hipped roof. A hipped roof also has sloping gable ends.

Another focus of historical interest is the complex at Hoofdweg 16–20. It is a rare example of the transition from a craft-based to an industrial operation. In 1891, J.J. Hilkemeyer founded a hand-operated dairy there. In autumn 2002, a former coffee-roasting facility and a warehouse were converted into the “Roos en Lelie” Cultuurhuis.

Visitors who want to compare architectural forms will find different points of reference: the Rieja Hoeve is noted for its two sections set at right angles to each other; the probably older complex at number 118 is distinguished by its side entrance beneath a thatched hipped roof. By contrast, the dairy complex is notable for its founding as a hand-operated dairy and the described transition to industrial production. These differences offer several concrete perspectives to help you weigh Nijensleek as a destination between landscape and architectural history.

Discover more destinations: Vledderveen, Vledder, Havelte, Frederiksoord, Diever, Wilhelminaoord, Wateren, Doldersum.

For the regional travel overview: Westerveld.