Discover Boxtel: Nature and Culture in the Groene Woud

The municipality of Boxtel lies in the heart of the Groene Woud. Nature destinations, museums and historic sites offer different ways to shape your stay. If you are looking for hotels in Boxtel, you can start by deciding whether you mainly want to explore landscapes, experience culture, or combine both.

Nature and Outdoor Activities Around Boxtel

Kampina is a nature area of more than 1,200 hectares between Boxtel and Oisterwijk. Forest, heathland and stream valleys shape the landscape. Landgoed Sparrenrijk lies north of Boxtel, with straight, tree-lined avenues arranged in a rectangular pattern. More than 30 bird species breed there, and there are also many mushrooms. De Geelders lies north of Boxtel and east of Liempde. The 350-hectare area includes, among other things, coppice woodland banks, broadleaf forest with avenues, poplar groves, heathland, grassland and fields.

Recreatieplas De Langspier, between Boxtel and Esch, offers a different kind of outdoor experience. This natural swimming lake has designated swimming areas, an extensive sandy beach and green lawns for sunbathing. Swimming, a playground and beach volleyball are also available; facilities may vary by season. At Kanovereniging De Pagaai in Boxtel, you can paddle the “Rondje Boxtel” canoe route. Rental and operating conditions may change; check them if you plan to paddle the route.

Various cycling and walking routes run through the municipality of Boxtel and its neighboring municipalities; the route options may change. Two routes offer different points of interest: the Reli-route Boxtel-Centrum is 2.9 kilometers long. It starts at Breukelsplein, passes through the center and returns to the starting point via Stapelen. The Boxtel historical route passes twelve historic stops.

Museums and History

The Oertijdmuseum in Boxtel is the largest geological museum in the Netherlands. Visitors can walk through a dinosaur forest and watch fossils being prepared in the laboratories. Check access arrangements for special areas in advance. MUBO offers a different cultural focus: it showcases heritage and modern art and presents the history of the city, from prehistoric times to the modern era, through the Canon van Boxtel.

Museum Vekemans presents 350 years of history through everyday objects, paintings, prints and drawings. Its collection also includes works of art, Brabantse poffers, and items related to washing and ironing. Museum de Canonije is housed in a centuries-old building also known as the Kanunnikenhuisje. It recalls the canonry in Boxtel; the collection includes objects, illustrations, documents and photographs, as well as a film documentary.

Kasteel Stapelen in Boxtel is more than 700 years old and retains many old features. The Sint-Petrusbasiliek is a Late Gothic cruciform church, built in the 15th and 16th centuries. Occasional tours may include climbing the tower to the first lantern for views over Boxtel; tours are not available regularly. Another defining tradition is the Heilig Bloedprocessie. It passes through the streets of the town center every year on the first Sunday after Pentecost and is part of the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. As the calendar date varies, check the dates if you want to see the procession.

Classic Park in Boxtel has its own focus: it is a dynamic museum of classic and exclusive vehicles, and its collection changes. At the water buffalo farm D'n Buff, buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, buffalo burgers and other water buffalo milk products are available to taste or buy. The selection may vary.

Liempde and Its Surroundings

Liempde adds a different landscape perspective from the 't Meulke observation tower. From there, you can see across the meadows of the Dommeldal, the landscape shaped by poplars and the characteristic “bolle” fields. The tower is also used for birdwatching; quails and partridges, among other birds, breed there. De Scheeken, a woodland area between Landgoed Velder and the Dommeldal, lies south of Liempde.

Liempde has monumental farmhouses, an authentic village center and traditional events such as Boerderijendag and Boeremert. D'n Liempdsen Herd is a visitor center in a former monumental long-gabled farmhouse and also serves as a tourist information point. There you can get information about the area around Liempde, as well as walking and cycling routes. The village museum De Kleuskes offers a glimpse of Brabant family life and the life of village clog makers. The former farm remains as it was when it was vacated in 1982; visits are arranged by appointment.

For more nature options, De Geelders lies north of Boxtel and east of Liempde; its landscape ranges from forest and heathland to grassland and fields. The view from 't Meulke and the wooded areas reveal different sides of the surroundings, while still allowing you to keep the museums and local history in view.

Getting There and Planning

Boxtel can be reached by car, public transport or bicycle. Check your travel details before departure. When planning individual visits, the relevant conditions matter: visits to De Kleuskes are arranged by appointment, tours at the Sint-Petrusbasiliek take place occasionally, and facilities at De Langspier may vary by season.

Discover more destinations: Boxtel, Liempde, ’S-Hertogenbosch, Bernheze, Uden, Oss, Woudrichem, Maasdonk.

For the regional travel overview: North Brabant.