Oost West en Middelbeers: Heritage and Heathland

When planning your trip to Oost West en Middelbeers, you can choose from several themes: historic churches and examples of technical heritage, the Landschotse Heide, and walks around Middelbeers. If you are looking for a hotel, this guide can help you choose the focus of your stay. The following examples range from architecture and local industries to landscapes and trails.

Landscape and walking

The Landschotse Heide consists almost entirely of wet heathland and fen lakes. A quarter of the area is open water, and the site is part of the Natura 2000 network. Ducks and great crested grebes breed on the open waters. These details describe a landscape shaped by water and wet heathland. It is markedly different from the pastures, farmland and woods along the “Rondje Wit Hollandven” walking route around Middelbeers.

The walk starts and ends at the Doornboomstraat car park in Middelbeers. This clearly identifies the start and end points; the route itself passes through the aforementioned fields, pastures and woods. Those interested in longer walks will find plenty of options along the Beerze in the municipality of Oirschot. The reference to the river applies to the municipal area; it should not be confused with the course of the “Rondje Wit Hollandven” loop.

Churches and historic buildings

The Oude Kerkje in Middelbeers was built between 1400 and 1450 on the commission of the Oirschot Chapter. It is the best-preserved example of the Kempen village Gothic style found in the region. Cultural events are held there regularly, including exhibitions, concerts, and book and record fairs. The building thus combines a long architectural history with a recurring cultural programme.

The Sint-Willibrorduskerk in Middelbeers was built between 1925 and 1927 at the initiative of Pastor van der Meijden. It was designed by Louis Joseph Petrus Kooken, an architect from Eindhoven who lived from 1867 to 1940. De Oude Toren in Oostelbeers displays a different architectural style: the medieval church tower is a simple brick structure with four storeys and a tent roof; it has no buttresses.

The Mariakapel in Westelbeers also tells the story of an earlier building: the stone chapel was built in 1637 after an older wooden chapel was destroyed. It is dedicated to Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Scherpenheuvel. The chapel and church towers thus add distinctive features to the religious architectural history of the places named here.

Country estate, mill and local history

The historic Baest estate is a relatively rare, well-preserved example of an “ornamental farm” in the Netherlands. Its garden and park combine agricultural and woodland plots with formal and landscape-style park features. This combination of different uses and design styles makes Baest a distinctive subject for anyone interested in cultural landscapes.

The Beltmolen van Himbergen was built in 1884 on the Kleine Beerze between Oostelbeers and Middelbeers. For half a century, wind power was used there to grind grain, including wheat, barley, oats and buckwheat. The Brouwerij De Doornboom in Middelbeers is also part of the history of local production: it was founded in 1760. Historically, it brewed dark beer and lager; pilsner was added later.

Explore nature and enjoy outdoor activities

The De Konijnenberg play forest offers a different kind of nature experience. Its natural adventure playground activities include climbing, crossing bridges, building huts and discovering nature. These activities differ from a walk through the countryside: the focus here is on playful exploration and exercise in the woods.

Discover more destinations: Oirschot, Westelbeers.

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