Nijnsel: Village History and Nature

For trip planning, Nijnsel can be explored through three distinct interests: local village history, nature around Vressels Bos and the Dommel, and activities connected with farm life. Points of interest include a historic monument, a church, a boundary stone and a walking trail. There are further nature destinations nearby.

History between the church and the boundary stone

The Heilig Hartbeeld Nijnsel stands to the left of the entrance to the Antonius van Paduakerk. Parishioners donated the statue in 1924 to mark the silver jubilee of Father J.A.M. Panken. The church itself is also an important landmark in the village’s history: it was designed by Eindhoven architect L.P.J. Kooken. An open-air Mass in honour of Saint Anthony of Padua is held every year at the Antonius van Paduakerk.

Another historical landmark is the Grenssteen. Since 1311, it has marked the boundary point between the lordships of Jekschot and Lieshout and the Liberty of Rode. As local cultural heritage, it contributes to Nijnsel’s collective memory. Historic, elongated farmhouses with gabled façades add to this picture of the village’s history.

Vressels Bos and the Dommel landscape

Vressels Bos lies east of the church village of Nijnsel and the Dommel, and covers around 250 hectares. Hazenputten, a natural heath pond, is located in the middle of the forest. The forest entrance and the starting points for the walking trails are on Vogelsven road. Scottish Highland cattle and Exmoor ponies are among the animals that live in Vressels Bos.

Nearby, the Dommelbeemden lie along the eastern banks of the Dommel between Nijnsel and Sint-Oedenrode. A viewing tower in the Dommel valley also offers a view of the meandering river. Natuurpoort De Vresselse Hut is a place to rest and have lunch for walkers, cyclists and mountain bikers. The nature destinations therefore have different described features: forest and a heath pond in Vressels Bos, and a river landscape along the Dommel.

Walking trails and destinations for different interests

The Ommetje Thieu Sijbers is a 4.5-kilometre walking route through the village and surrounding countryside. It starts at Zalencentrum De Beckart, Oude Lieshoutseweg 7 in Nijnsel. Information boards featuring poems by Thieu Sijbers are also part of the route. Check current route conditions before setting out, as they may change.

Nearby, another walking route through the Moerkuilen and the Dommelbeemden starts at a car park near Lieshoutsedijk 34. This gives you two different options: a route through Nijnsel and the surrounding countryside, and a nearby trail through two named nature areas.

Farm life and museum themes

At Bij Kato, participants in the Escape Tour explore pig farming and farm life together by solving riddles and completing tasks. The National Pig Museum has also been located there since 2023. The tour focuses on solving tasks together, while the museum adds a named museum theme connected with farm life. Check the Escape Tour’s booking availability before making plans.

Museum Hoeve Strobol displays restored tractors and cars, as well as craft tools and household objects. Its themed days demonstrate how previous generations harvested crops, baked bread and roasted coffee. The museum invites adults and children to look back at an earlier way of life. For trip planning, the two farm-related experiences differ in focus: Bij Kato centres on pig farming and puzzles, while Hoeve Strobol focuses on collection items and themed days about activities from the past.

Discover more destinations: Sint-Oedenrode.

Go to the main travel overview: Sint-Oedenrode.