Hensbroek: De Leijen, Nature and Architectural Heritage

Hensbroek combines waterside recreation with wetland landscapes and historic buildings. There are different interests to consider when planning your trip: De Leijen offers protected sandy beaches, play and sunbathing lawns, and opportunities for swimming, sunbathing and fishing. Waterberging Hensbroek is characterised by wetland nature, paths and picnic facilities. Other highlights include Hensbroeker Kerk, the Nieuw Leven windmill and the stolp farmhouse at Dorpsweg 59. This lets you choose how much to focus on nature and culture during your stay.

Water and recreation at De Leijen

The 11-hectare De Leijen recreation area was established after a former sand quarry was used to extract sand for road construction. The area includes protected sandy beaches, reed beds and protected play and sunbathing lawns. It is suitable for swimming, sunbathing and playing; you can also fish at many shaded spots around the lake. Check the water conditions before swimming.

There is a spacious car park on Gemaalweg, on the south side of De Leijen. You can reach the area on foot or by bike via Kerklaantje from Kerkweg.

Wetland and paths

Waterberging Hensbroek is a sub-area of around 13 hectares within the approximately 20-hectare Rustenburg en Hensbroek NNN area. Its wetland nature consists mainly of open water, vegetation in the process of natural succession, and wet grasslands. Options for low-impact recreation include walking paths and picnic facilities. The two areas offer different experiences: De Leijen focuses on swimming, playing and fishing, while Waterberging Hensbroek offers paths and picnic facilities.

The blue route from the Hensbroek starting point is 10.7 kilometres long and passes through Hensbroek and along the dikes of the Wogmeer. The “Zomaar even weg: Kerk Hensbroek” walking route follows junctions 25, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24 and 25. At junction 3 of the Geestmerambachtroute in Hensbroek, the route crosses the Ringvaart via a narrow, high bridge towards junction 2. Cyclists must dismount and cross the bridge on foot. The route and restrictions for the blue route may change; path conditions in the Waterberging area may also change. Check the relevant notices before setting out.

Local history and architectural heritage

Today’s Hensbroeker Kerk is a Dutch Rijksmonument. It was built after the village fire of 1648; its foundation stone was laid in 1657. Concerts are held regularly in the church. The programme may change, so check the dates in advance if you are interested.

The Nieuw Leven windmill was built in 1608 or shortly afterwards. It is an octagonal Dutch inland post mill (binnenkruier polder mill). The stolp farmhouse at Dorpsweg 59 dates from the third quarter of the 19th century and is regarded as a well-preserved example of agricultural architecture of general significance from an architectural and cultural-historical perspective. Together, the two buildings showcase different forms of rural heritage: milling technology and agricultural architecture.

Discover more destinations: Spierdijk, Oudendijk, Scharwoude, Ursem, Avenhorn, Obdam, Berkhout, Zuidermeer

For the main travel overview: Koggenland.