Discover Varsselder

Varsselder offers several specific ways to plan a stay: cycling and walking in rural surroundings, the Min40Celsius visitor centre, which explores the Achterhoek landscape and the Ice Ages, and insights into local history. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider what you want your stay to focus on: time spent cycling or walking, a visit related to fossils and bones, or an interest in cultural history. The destinations and activities differ considerably, so you can choose where to stay based on the interests you actually want to pursue.

Cycling and walking in rural surroundings

A dedicated cycle path runs between Varsselder and Ulft and forms an important school cycling route. From Varsselder, you can also walk or cycle towards Ulft, Gendringen and the surrounding hamlets. Ulft is therefore both a stop along the cycle route and a direction for further tours. Fields, pastures and quiet roads define the rural character of the area. When planning your day, you can choose between a clearly defined cycle route and the broader range of walking and cycling tours.

Min40Celsius: landscape and the Ice Ages

The Min40Celsius visitor centre in Varsselder focuses on the Achterhoek landscape and the Ice Ages. Visitors can dig for bones there, following the approach of palaeontologists. This connects the centre’s landscape themes with a hands-on search for bones. On Min40Celsius search excursions, participants first make a brief visit to the visitor centre and then look for stones, fossils and bones at the Azewijnse Broek sand extraction site. Dates for these excursions are published separately. If an excursion is important to your travel plans, check the published dates.

Another option is the supervised children’s programme “IJskoud kinderfeestje” at the museum. It includes making a fire, crafting an amulet from soapstone, digging for bones and fossils, and a treasure hunt in the museum. This supervised programme combines craft-based, hands-on and search activities.

The formats differ mainly in their structure: digging for bones at the visitor centre, searching for several types of material at the sand extraction site, or taking part in the supervised children’s programme at the museum. If you plan to join the excursion, check its separately published dates.

Local history and a monument

Varsselder was mentioned as a hamlet as early as the 15th century. Another kind of historical trace is the Martelaren van Gorcumkerk, which is designated a municipal monument. The demolition of the Molen van Lukassen is precisely dated: after years of disrepair, it was demolished in 1973. These three details relate to different things: the early reference concerns the village, the monument designation applies to a building, and the mill’s demolition was a later event.

Discover more destinations: Silvolde, Breedenbroek, Westendorp, Terborg, Sinderen, Ulft, Varsseveld

Return to the main travel overview: Oude Ijsselstreek.