Milheeze: Churches, Mill and Routes

Milheeze offers specific points of interest for travellers interested in churches, architectural history and routes. The Sint Willibrorduskerk, the Mariakapel and the Laurentia mill each represent different historical themes. There is also the Oude Bakelsdijk and a choice of routes that can be distinguished by their starting point, landscape or path surface.

Churches, Chapel and Mill

The Sint Willibrorduskerk brings together several historical periods. Its west tower dates from the 15th century. The church building was constructed in 1844/45 on the foundations of the Antonius Chapel, reusing some of the chapel walls. The original Smits organ is also part of the building’s history: it dates from 1856. The tower, construction period and organ each offer a distinct point of reference when exploring the church’s development.

The Mariakapel offers a different glimpse into local cultural history. It was built in 1938 to mark the priestly jubilee of J. Simonis and was designed in the Delft School style. Its cultural-historical value lies in its expression of Catholic devotional culture. Its year of construction, occasion and architectural style complement the older historical references at the Sint Willibrorduskerk without telling the same story.

The Laurentia mill also has a clearly dated chapter in its recent history: following restoration, it was officially reopened on 10 September 2022. For visitors comparing buildings and their historical contexts, it offers a different point of reference from the religious buildings: the restoration and reopening of a mill.

Traces along the Oude Bakelsdijk

The Oude Bakelsdijk between Milheeze and De Rips is a centuries-old thoroughfare through the Peel. There are traces of Stone Age settlements along the road near Milheeze. A burial mound from the Late Bronze Age or Iron Age may also be located there. The date of this mound remains explicitly uncertain. The traces mentioned thus represent different archaeological periods; they should not be equated with the later history of the thoroughfare.

The road itself offers a different kind of historical perspective: its character as a centuries-old route reflects its long use as a thoroughfare, while the settlement traces and possible burial mound point to much earlier periods. This allows you to consider two separate questions when planning: are you mainly interested in the history of an old transport link, or would you like to explore the archaeological evidence along the road?

Landscape and Nature Watching

The Stippelberg is a 1,000-hectare nature area in the Peel. Its landscape around Natuurpoort Nederheide includes extensive forests, ponds, windblown sands, heathland and stately avenues. Natuurpoort Nederheide serves as a starting point, rest stop and endpoint for walks or cycle rides through the Stippelberg. These routes pass streams and the nearby Bakelse Plassen.

The Esperloop, Snelle Loop and Peelse Loop flow through the Stippelberg. Relatively rare streamside plants, including marsh marigolds and black sedge, grow along the banks of the Esperloop. With a little luck, you may also spot a golden-ringed dragonfly by the water. The plants offer a specific reason to look at the stream banks; spotting a dragonfly, however, is only a possibility and is not guaranteed.

Compare Routes by Starting Point and Character

The “De parels van de Peel” cycle route starts in Milheeze at the Sint-Willibrorduskerk. One section follows the Leemskuilendijk: there, the route runs along a quiet, green cycle path and passes various farms. The starting point at the church and the described section offer two different reference points for this cycle tour.

A green walking route in Milheeze is described by one specific feature: 80 percent of its course consists of unpaved paths. This percentage applies to this route; it says nothing about the surface of other paths. When weighing up the options mentioned, the cycle route offers a clearly named starting point at the church and a section along the Leemskuilendijk. For the green walking route, the proportion of unpaved paths is the most useful point of comparison.

Discover more destinations: De Rips, De Mortel, Gemert, Handel, Elsendorp, Bakel

Return to the main travel overview: Gemert-Bakel.