Discover Hattem: Mills, Museums and Nature

Hattem combines historic buildings and mills with museums, routes through the countryside and baking-related activities. When planning your trip, it is worth considering which topics interest you most: local history, art, nature, or activities on land and water.

Routes through the countryside and cycling

Two Klompenpad walking routes through the surrounding countryside start in Hattem. They lead across extensive meadows and along quiet unpaved paths. You can book guided walks through the Toeristisch Informatiepunt; check in advance whether they are available on your visit date. Hattem also offers direct access to the Veluwe, where numerous routes pass through forests, heathland and areas of drifting sand. The IJssel floodplains near Hattem form a different natural environment: they provide a habitat for flora and fauna and offer many opportunities for birdwatching.

There are also reference points for cycling tours: junctions 58, 59 and 60 are in or near the centre and enable rides to the IJssel floodplains and into the forests and heathland of the Veluwe. A guided cycling tour of Hattem takes in scenic and historic places and lasts about two hours. If you would like to join, check availability in advance. Vadesto also offers outdoor activities on land and water that can be combined; the options may change.

Historic mills and buildings

Just south of Hattem lies Landgoed Molecaten, where the Veluwe massif meets the IJssel Valley. The estate is open to the public and can be explored; seasonal conditions may vary. Its history stretches back a long way: the earliest recorded mention of Molecaten dates to 1348, and the first fortified Molecaten house was built there around 1500. The grounds include an area surrounded by a moat, with a late-medieval house on the south side. The spring-fed streams on Landgoed Molecaten power one of the best-preserved watermills in the Netherlands. Watermolen Molecaten was originally a paper mill and was later converted into a grain mill. Today, it primarily serves a heritage-preservation and educational purpose.

Another mill has been a feature of the townscape for more than 200 years: Molen De Fortuin remains fully operational. Volunteers explain how the mill works and the process of turning wheat into flour. As these explanations depend on volunteer availability, it is advisable to check visiting options beforehand.

Buildings from different centuries stand side by side in the town centre. The tower of the Grote of Andreaskerk was completed around 1225, along with the Romanesque church. The church is open to visitors from May to September; check the opening information before planning your visit. The Dijkpoort is a 14th-century city gate. Visitors can climb the stairs, see three rooms and look out over the town and surrounding countryside. Access and programming may vary, so check the visiting conditions in advance.

The Stadhuis also tells the story of Hattem’s architectural history. Originally, it was an annex of the 14th-century Heilige-Geest Gasthuis. In 1618, it was remodelled in the Renaissance style together with the Waaggebouw; since 1625, the two buildings have formed a single complex. This means that a walk through the town centre offers a chance to appreciate not just an individual building, but also the connection between the town hall and the Waaggebouw.

Art, local history and baking traditions

The Voerman Stadsmuseum Hattem brings together art, history and archaeology. The core of its collection consists of works by Hattem painters Jan Voerman senior and Jan Voerman junior. The museum also provides information about Castle de Dikke Tinne and displays 4,000-year-old Bell Beakers and a Bell Beaker bowl. The Anton Pieck Museum focuses on the work of a Dutch painter, draughtsman and graphic artist; it houses the largest collection of his work. Also on display is Pieck’s original work corner, with a 1,500-kilogram etching press that he used to print his own etchings.

The Nederlands Bakkerijmuseum explores the history of bread and fine pastries and is housed in four buildings connected by a tunnel beneath the road. One of its special offerings is a poffertjes salon in the style of grandmother’s day, serving treats made from an old family recipe. As the food service’s availability should be checked, it is best to enquire before you arrive. Baking activities for children are held on Saturdays and daily during school holidays; the programme also includes a treasure hunt and family performances in the museum theatre. The programme may vary seasonally, so checking current dates can help with your planning.

The Stadhuis Hattem hosts changing exhibitions by local visual artists; admission is free. Together with museums devoted to art, archaeology and baking traditions, it offers a range of ways to discover Hattem’s history and cultural life.

Visitor information

The town centre is car-free or traffic-calmed; free parking is available within a short walk. At the Centrum De Bleek car park, De Bleek 2, you can park for free with no time limit. The town centre is a three-minute walk from there. As practical parking information can change, it is advisable to check the latest information before you arrive. When deciding whether Hattem is the right destination for you, you can also consider whether to set aside more time for its buildings and museums, routes through the countryside, or activities on the water.

Discover more destinations: Hattem, Winterswijk, Neerijnen, Zutphen, Zaltbommel, Groesbeek, Heerde, Oude Ijsselstreek.

Return to the main travel overview: Gelderland.