Nuland: Nature, Trails and Local History

When looking for a hotel in Nuland, it is worth considering your own travel interests: nature trails, places of remembrance, and the church’s architectural history each offer a different focus. The attractions at ’t Heike also cover themes ranging from animals and water to learning.

Nature and Walking Trails

Nulandse Heide is a varied natural area where woodland, heathland, ditches and wind-blown sand alternate. Those interested in the landscape will find several distinct features within one area. The Nulandse Heide Walk, Part 1, can be combined with the Nulandse Heide Walk, Part 2.

Another way to explore Nuland on foot or by bike is the Liberation Route. It takes walkers and cyclists to historic sites that played an important role in the liberation of Nuland, Rosmalen and ’s-Hertogenbosch in October 1944. The route thus combines physical activity with a specific chapter in local and regional history.

Church, Craftsmanship and Historical Traces

The present-day Church of the Beheading of St John was built in 1950, after its predecessor was destroyed by shelling in 1944. It was designed by architect J. Magis. The church is a three-aisled basilica with a solid west tower and a semicircular apse. Its construction date, architect and design offer several points of reference for anyone interested in the town’s architecture.

Evidence of local craftsmanship is also part of Nuland’s history. Two ANWB signs dating from 1940 to 1950 are protected as municipal monuments. The Schutskooi dates from 1936 and was made by local blacksmith Johannes van de Meulenreek. Three wrought-iron boats from 1950 were made by village blacksmith Toon van Amelsvoort.

Ground contours remain from the former Polder Church. Following a series of excavations since 2006, they have been made visible again. This makes it possible to place an earlier church site in Nuland alongside the present-day church.

Commemorating the Liberation

The monument to the victims of the Second World War stands in a corner of the green space on Heiweg. The municipality of Nuland had it erected in 1990 to mark the 45th anniversary of the liberation. The site was chosen because a temporary cemetery for fallen military personnel was located there during the war. This cemetery was connected with the liberation of Nuland on 22 October 1944.

Every year on 4 May, the monument is the central venue for the commemoration of those who fell in the Second World War. If you would like to combine your stay with this day of remembrance, you can take the date into account when planning. The route through Nuland and the monument offer different perspectives on the history of 1944: the historic sites along the route and the venue for the annual commemoration.

Attractions at ’t Heike

Wallabies are among the animals at ’t Heike’s petting zoo, which is wheelchair accessible. The swimming pool has two pools with water depths of 30 and 50 centimetres respectively. These details give a specific overview of the animals and pools without conflating the attractions.

The educational area offers the Heimannekespad learning trail at any time for children in grades 1 to 8. Schools can also book the Meneer Pauw programme for children in grades 3 and 4. The supervisors offer it by appointment; it lasts about two hours. The age groups, approximate duration and need to book help distinguish this activity from an independent visit to the learning trail.

Discover more destinations: Vinkel, Geffen.

Return to the main travel overview: Maasdonk.