Heeze-Leende: Heathland, Heritage and Village Life

The Strabrechtse Heide and the Beuven give Heeze-Leende a distinctive natural landscape; historic churches, a castle and local traditions add to the picture. The heathland covers about 1,850 hectares, of which Staatsbosbeheer manages 1,600 hectares. The Beuven is part of the Strabrechtse Heide and is described by Staatsbosbeheer as the largest fen in the Netherlands. The villages of Heeze, Leende and Sterksel also offer different points of interest, from architectural history to outdoor art.

Landscape and trails

Leenderbos is part of the De Groote Heide cross-border nature park. It has walking and cycling trails, recreation meadows and picnic areas. In the forest lies Klein Hasselven: a pingo remnant with an island of living raised bog in the middle, surrounded by a narrow ring of water. This distinctive landform also makes the area interesting to visitors who want to explore individual landscape features as well as go for a walk.

Near Heeze, the green-marked walking route around De Plaetse is suitable for wheelchair users. Check the current accessibility conditions before your visit. The network of poetry plaques includes walking routes between 6.5 and 10.3 kilometres long, as well as a 28-kilometre cycling route through Heeze, Leende, Leenderstrijp and Sterksel. An IVN cycling tour also passes through these four villages. Check the current route files before setting out.

Nearby, Achelse Kluis lies on the border between Leende and Hamont-Achel and can be visited during a walk or cycle ride. It has De Groote Heide, a free, interactive experience and information point about the region’s history, nature and abbey beer. The presentation and access arrangements may change; check before visiting.

Castle, churches and village landscapes

Kasteel Heeze is one of the most important Rijksmonumenten in the Netherlands. Completely surrounded by a moat, the castle stands in a natural landscape near the Strabrechtse Heide. Much of its interior dates from the 18th century and has largely been preserved over the centuries. Part of the residence is open to visitors; it includes an richly decorated 18th-century bathroom, 17th-century tapestries and a secret room. Check the current visitor arrangements before your trip.

In its present form, St. Petrus' Bandenkerk in Leende is a late Gothic cruciform basilica with an incorporated tower; it was founded before 1285. Its organ is housed in a neo-Gothic case and was built in 1863 by the Mechelen organ builder Loret. A tour of the church tower is possible; check in advance whether dates are available. In Heeze, Sint Martinuskerk is a church made of hand-moulded bricks, built in 1932 in the style of 12th-century Early Gothic. Its stained-glass windows depict the twelve apostles from the former church. There is also a replica of the old image of Saint Job, where candles are lit daily.

Sint Victor in Heeze is also worth a look for its architectural history: the wind-powered grain mill dates from 1852. It is open to the public by appointment; arrange your visit in advance. In Leenderstrijp, the village centre lies between Strijperstraat and Hoogeindseweg. The village is classified as a kransakker village of cultural and historical value, and its various farmsteads together form a distinctive village landscape. A chapel in Leenderstrijp is recognised as a Rijksmonument and was restored in 1973 and 1999.

Traditions and local highlights

The Brabantsedag takes place in Heeze every year on the last Sunday in August. Sixteen towering floats parade through the streets, accompanied by theatre, music and games involving more than 2,000 participants. In 2013, the Brabantsedag was added to the Netherlands’ National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Confirm the exact date and programme for the relevant year before your trip.

A local speciality is Brokmop: a cube-shaped aniseed pastry from Leende, made by bakers according to a tradition that dates back to before the Second World War. ’t Brouwershuis also connects local history with present-day use. It opened as a brewery in 1815 and produced beer for more than a century. The building is currently used as a hospitality venue with tourist information; check its current functions before visiting.

In Sterksel, the permanent Prikkels en Tintelingen art trail, just under two kilometres long, runs through the former grounds of Providentia. Another memorial is the narrow-gauge railway monument: a 15-metre section of track with an information board commemorates a former four-kilometre railway line. D’n Os is also part of the village’s history. The residents of Sterksel designed and made it; it plays an important role every year at Carnival.

Those who want to include more activities can find options in Heeze-Leende such as ceramics workshops, walks with a forester, gnome trails and cooking classes in a cooking studio. Specific workshops may change. In Leende, Haviksoord Golf Club was expanded from nine to 18 holes in 2006. The newer holes lie entirely within existing woodland and make use of the landscape, giving the course a natural character.

Getting there and getting around

Heeze is accessible by train, with rail lines running towards Weert and Eindhoven. Public transport in Heeze and Leende is operated by the Bravo bus company. The wider De Groote Heide area can be explored by train via the stations at Heeze, Maarheeze, Hamont and Neerpelt; buses from Eindhoven and Valkenswaard take visitors close to various natural areas. Check current train and bus timetables before travelling.

Visitor parking is designated in Heeze at locations near Natuurpoort De Plaetse and the Herbertusbossen. In the Leenderbos area, designated locations are on Valkenswaardseweg, Bruggerdijk and Strijperdijk. Follow the signs on site, as parking arrangements may change.

Discover more destinations: Heeze, Leende, Sterksel, Haaren, Bergeijk, Gilze En Rijen, Lith, Reusel-De Mierden.

For the broader travel overview: North Brabant.