Wieringerwaard – History, Architecture and Nature

You can choose from different themes for a stay in Wieringerwaard: tram and polder history, historic buildings, nature or activities. The dates and historical uses provide concrete points of reference for the area’s architectural history; the Waardkanaal and the activities on offer provide other topics to explore.

Tram and polder history

The Tramweg Wieringen–Schagen, which served Wieringerwaard, opened on 1 March 1912 and closed in 1936. The former Wieringerwaard station building was built as early as 1910 for the Dutch tram line Van Ewijcksvaart–Schagen. It is considered a rare, largely preserved station building of the Tramweg Wieringen–Schagen and was built in a transitional architectural style. This makes it possible to explore the history both through the tram’s operation and through a surviving building.

The Polderhuis was built in 1612 and is among the first buildings constructed in the newly drained polder. Its meeting room contains a prominent tiled fireplace and an 18th-century built-in cupboard. The Stolpboerderij at Nieuwesluis 17 also recalls the period of land reclamation: it was probably built around 1611, shortly after the Wieringerwaard was drained in 1610. Historically, it served as an inn and horse-changing station for the towboat traffic between Wieringerwaard and Kolhorn. The construction date and former use tell different sides of the story: early settlement and waterborne transport.

Church and historic farmhouses

The Witte Kerkje Wieringerwaard has stood at the site of a wooden church dating from 1636 since 1865. Historic gravestones have been preserved inside the Witte Kerkje; the oldest dates from 1639. The church is a Rijksmonument. This brings together different historical points of reference in one place: the earlier church, the surviving gravestones and the later church.

Wieringerwaard has more than 35 Stolpboerderijen. You can count them as you cycle along Barsingerweg and Noordzijperweg and Zuidzijperweg. This draws attention not just to a single building, but to an architectural style found along several roads. Individual buildings and cycling conditions may change, so check the latest conditions before setting out.

The address Molenweg 41, 1766 HN Wieringerwaard is part of the “Langs parels in de polder” monument route. If you include this address in your plans, check access to the route before setting out.

Nature and activities

The 3.8-kilometre-long Waardkanaal nature area has wide reed beds that provide a habitat for various reed birds. You can walk through the bird area. Which birds you may see can vary depending on the season; the nature area combines a distinctive landscape feature with a habitat shaped by the seasons.

Eendracht Adventures offers paintball on seven varied playing fields. It also has a 1,100-metre-long obstacle course with 14 different obstacles over land and water, to be tackled with tactics and teamwork. The two activities therefore differ in format and in the requirements described. As availability may change, check what is on offer before making firm plans for an activity.

This gives you several concrete starting points for planning your trip: the polder’s long history, the tram and church buildings, the farmhouses along the roads mentioned, as well as nature and activities. Choose the focus that suits your reason for travelling and consider including the relevant historic sites, a walk or an activity in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Kreileroord, Hippolytushoef, Winkel, Westerland, Barsingerhorn, Kolhorn

Back to the main travel overview: Hollands Kroon.