Schellinkhout: Polder History and Waterside Landscapes

Schellinkhout combines water-management history with historic buildings and a landscape on the Markermeer. Two perspectives help put the destination in context: the drainage of the polder and the waterside area at De Uiterdijk. There are also traces of several centuries, from the town hall and village church to a commemorative bench. Technical history, architectural heritage and the use of water each provide a distinct focus.

Water Management in the Schellinkhout Polder

The history of the Schellinkhout polder can be traced through De Grote Molen: the octagonal internal winder mill was probably built between 1603 and 1638. Its former role can be understood from its scale. It drained the 650-hectare Schellinkhout polder through a kolk (water basin) and a discharge sluice into the former Zuiderzee. The mill is therefore not only a historic building, but also part of the management of a large polder area. Gemaal Schellinkhout, a motor-powered pumping station, was built beside it in 1900. It is no longer used as a pumping station, but its machinery is still there. The mill and the Gemaal represent different structures and periods in the history of drainage: the mill dates to the early 17th century, while the Gemaal represents the construction of a motor-powered facility in 1900.

Buildings and Remembrance

Nooit Gedacht is a stolp farm built in 1890, of a derived North Holland type. The former town hall of Schellinkhout at Dorpsweg 108 dates from 1765; it was built by Jan Roos and Remmert Schuijt. The village church stands at the foot of the IJsselmeer dike. Its furnishings include a two-manual organ made by P. Flaes in 1872. The commemorative bench is another reminder of the past: it was installed in 1951 as a thank-you to the municipality of Schellinkhout for taking in evacuees from Nederhorst den Berg. Together, these examples offer different perspectives on farm architecture, former municipal administration, organ building and the memory of welcoming evacuees.

De Uiterdijk and the Dike

De Uiterdijk is an area outside the dike, on the Markermeer just beyond Schellinkhout. In early 2021, a kitesurfing beach was established east of the bathing beach to keep swimming and kitesurfing safely separated. When navigating the area, it is useful to distinguish between the landscape and the beach layout: De Uiterdijk refers to the area, while the facility spatially separates the two activities. The Uiterdijkroute follows the Westfriese Omringdijk and passes through Schellinkhout. The section of the Schellinkhouterdijk covered by the route forms part of this 126-kilometre dike. The area and the route therefore offer different points of reference: one for the location on the Markermeer, the other for the route through Schellinkhout along the dike.

The Regional Setting

On a broader scale, Drechterland combines views across the IJsselmeer and agricultural landscapes with distinctive stolp farms. The region also invites visitors to explore on foot, by boat and by bike. Alongside individual buildings, the landscape, agriculture and activities are all interests in their own right.

When choosing Schellinkhout as a destination, you can weigh up two main interests: the mill, Gemaal and dated buildings offer points of interest for those interested in water management and architecture. Those more drawn to waterside landscapes and water activities can look to De Uiterdijk, the separation of the bathing and kitesurfing beaches, and the dike route. This comparison can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Venhuizen, Hoogkarspel, Hem, Westwoud, Wijdenes, Oosterleek

Return to the main travel overview: Drechterland.