Discover Wamel: Churches, Dike and the Waal

Wamel combines architectural landmarks from different centuries with paths and ferry services along the Waal. If you are looking for a hotel in Wamel, you can consider whether you mainly want to explore the town’s history, go for a seasonal walk or discover one of the routes described here. The historical details vary considerably, ranging from churches and a villa to a medieval dike.

Churches and architectural history

The Hervormde Kerk in Wamel includes the choir, closed on five sides, and the transept of the parish church built in the 15th century. It was restored between 1952 and 1957. The written record of the Protestant church also goes back a long way: it was first mentioned in a document dating from 1129 to 1134. Another distinctive architectural feature is its organ, built by Hermanus Knipscheer in 1865. The building and its furnishings tell different parts of the church’s history: the parish church was built in the 15th century, while the organ was built in 1865.

Another architectural point of interest is Villa Lakenburg, dating from the 19th century. It was built on the cellars of the former Lakenburg Castle. These include an almost square cellar in the southeast, with a groin vault resting on a central pillar. This connection is particularly revealing: the 19th-century building stands on an older cellar complex, whose form and construction are described in greater detail.

Dike history and local connections

Dorpsstraat runs along a medieval dike that was called Waalbandijk until around 1860. Because the river had a fordable crossing, the village lay on an old Roman trade route. This historical connection offers a different perspective on the Waal from today’s ferries and paths: it points to the importance of the river and the crossing for the village.

Ferry and routes around Wamel

A ferry for cyclists and pedestrians operates between Tiel and Wamel. It is run by the “Pomona” and operates year-round. It may be helpful to check the timetable in advance when planning your trip. The Vrijheidsroute Tiel–Wamel crosses the Waal by ferry to Wamel and continues from there along the dike towards Varik. There is a second exhibition on the history of the Land van Maas en Waal in Wamel, along this route. Information panels and QR codes bring personal stories to life along the route.

Another option is the Struinroute Tiel–Druten, which can be started at Hotel Restaurant ’t Veerhuis in Wamel. From April through October, it follows the Waal for walkers. When water levels are high, an alternative route is available, usually along the dike. When planning, also bear in mind the clear restriction for dogs: they are not allowed on the Struinroute, even on a leash. The seasonal walking period and the possible alternative when water levels are high are different conditions from the ferry’s year-round operating schedule.

Floodplains and things to do

The nature development project in the floodplains near Wamel, Dreumel and Heerewaarden is scheduled to run from 2016 to 2027. It includes five flowing side channels, as well as floodplains, natural grasslands and riverside woodland. A 15-kilometre river nature area is being developed along the Waal and will remain open to the public. These details relate to the wider area encompassing all three named places, not Wamel alone.

For an outing with animals, the children’s farms in Wamel offer the chance to pet animals, feed goats or simply look around. The outing is free and suitable for all ages. This gives you a range of travel interests to choose from: historic buildings and dike history, routes with explicitly stated seasonal and water-level conditions, as well as nature development and a visit to a children’s farm.

Discover more destinations: Alphen, Appeltern, Beneden-Leeuwen, Maasbommel, Dreumel.

Go to the regional travel overview: West Maas En Waal.