Voorthuizen: Culture, Nature and Zeumeren

If you’re looking for a hotel in Voorthuizen, your interests can help shape your stay: local history, trails through woodland and heath, or activities around Zeumeren reveal different sides of the town. Here you’ll find historic landmarks as well as specific walking and cycling routes.

Local History and Cultural Traces

The Voorthuizer Braderieën have been organised every year by the Ondernemers Vereniging Voorthuizen since 1976. They take place on Hoofdstraat and at Bunckmanplein in the centre; dates and programme vary from year to year. Two memorials recall different experiences of the Second World War: the Monument voor het 1ste Regiment Huzaren commemorates the soldiers of this unit who lost their lives in the surrounding area during the war actions of May 1940. The Monument 1940-1945 remembers local residents who died as a result of the war during the occupation years.

The town’s architectural history also spans several centuries. The church tower at Kerkstraat 35A retains a lower section dating from the 15th century and a bell stage from the 16th century. The foundation stone of the Gereformeerde Kerk was laid on 30 March 1927; the building came into use on 7 November that year. The Oude Pastorie dates from 1785 and has been listed as a Rijksmonument since 1968.

Older traces can be found at De Zeven Bergjes on Hunnenweg: the archaeological site includes three burial mounds from the Neolithic period and/or the Bronze Age. The Bunckmanbeeld is associated with a local legend about the harsh realities of the Veluwe beyond the villages around 250 years ago. Another cultural perspective is offered by the poetry route through Voorthuizen, featuring nine poems by Gea van Drie-van Ravenhorst. During the Floralia Bloemencorso Festijn, a musical procession with decorated flower floats winds through the streets; dates and programme vary from year to year.

Woodland, Heath and Routes

Wilbrinkbos is a wooded estate with a manor house, hedgerows, heathland, ponds and small fens. Sundew, several species of sphagnum moss, cotton grass and marsh gentian grow in the wet heathland; the plants present may vary seasonally. The woodland is also home to Zandbergen, a country house from the first half of the 19th century, with its bakehouse and barn still intact.

Walking routes differ in length and course, among other things. The 15-kilometre Rondje Voorthuizen passes through Wilbrinkbos and the Zeumeren recreation area, among other places. The start and finish are at Ontmoetingscentrum De Eng, Rochetstraat 2. The route is part of the Wandelnetwerk Veluwe, whose decision points let you put together your own walking routes. The 14-kilometre Griezeveensepad starts at Eethuisje De Heuveltjes on Apeldoornsestraat and passes through heathland and drained peatland landscapes, Wilbrinkbos and Boeschoterbos, along sandy and Hessen roads, beside the Hoevelakense beek and through meadows. Check route information and local conditions before setting out.

There is also an extensive cycling node network, with routes through nature and past historic sites. Routes and signage may change over time. The Toeristisch informatiepunt Voorthuizen offers driving, cycling and walking routes for exploring the region.

Zeumeren and Practical Information

Swimming and water sports come together at the Zeumeren recreation area. Zeumeren is an official bathing site; water quality is regularly monitored during the bathing season, from 1 May to 1 October. Check the season dates for your planned swimming day. Zeumeren Watersport offers water skiing, wakeboarding and stand-up paddleboarding. Availability and booking arrangements may change, so check the current offerings before making a specific booking.

Voorthuizen is served by bus line 102 between Apeldoorn and Amersfoort and line 205 between Barneveld and Harderwijk. As routes and operators may change, check the current timetable before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Esveld, Garderen, Kootwijk, Terschuur, Kootwijkerbroek, Barneveld.

Go to the main travel overview: Barneveld.