Discover Wernhout

Wernhout can be explored through its settlement history, historic sites and the surrounding natural landscape. It developed as an esdorp (a village with a central green) along the Aa or Weerijs; its earliest settlement took the form of a triangular green around which buildings developed. This early layout provides a starting point for understanding later monuments and historic traces in the village.

History and village layout

The first documented mention of Wernhout dates from 1295. At the time of this first mention, the place was probably a hunting ground or warande (enclosed hunting area). During the Eighty Years' War, Wernhout belonged to Brecht in the Belgian province of Antwerp. William III of Orange acquired Wernhout in 1698 to round out the territory of the Barony. The street layout also preserves historic traces: the former Napoleonic road is still visible in Wernhout. Before the A16 opened in 1972, Wernhout was a busy stopover and transit point.

Historic sites and memorials

The Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Wernhoutseweg 149, 4884 AT Wernhout, is a municipal monument. The parish church was consecrated on September 16 and 17, 1927. The war memorial in Wernhout commemorates seven local residents who lost their lives in acts of war during the occupation. In the courtyard of the former Sint-Vincentius Seminary in Wernhoutsburg, the outlines of the chapel and the old house have been preserved. A boundary marker from 1843 is one of the few remaining reminders of Wernhout's former border post. The church and preserved outlines tell the story of the area's architecture, while the war memorial and boundary marker keep different memories alive.

Nature and trails nearby

De Krochten is close to the centre of Wernhout, no more than two kilometres away. The De Gooren en Krochten area is also nearby and consists of three marsh-like landscapes. Higher, drier areas with coniferous and deciduous woodland, open heathland and various streams alternate there. Hiking trails in the area pass through De Waaijenberg and De Krochten; they are 2.5 and 3 km long, respectively. The two routes differ by half a kilometre: 2.5 km is the shorter distance and 3 km the longer.

Creative activities

For a creative activity, Orange Lily offers workshops in hobbies, crafts and decoration at its workshop space in Wernhout. The space can accommodate nine participants; some workshops are limited to eight people. The room's capacity and the limit for individual workshops are therefore not the same: depending on the workshop, the lower number applies. When planning to take part, check the details for the specific workshop. Since workshop dates and participant numbers may change, it is best to check the information for the specific date before making plans.

Jochems-Milbou B.V. nursery at Wildertstraat 4a, 4881 MC Wernhout, welcomes visitors for an informal visit. Since visiting arrangements may change, check the current visiting information in advance.

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