Oosthuizen: Dik Trom, Village Churches and Polder Landscape

Oosthuizen lies in an expansive polder landscape surrounded by waterways and green fields. At the same time, the village has a specific literary connection: the children’s book museum Het Schooltje van Dik Trom is located here in a former one-room schoolhouse. This gives you two different perspectives for planning your trip: local cultural history, and routes and landscapes in the wider area.

Dik Trom: School History and Books

Het Schooltje van Dik Trom is a children’s book museum in a unique former one-room schoolhouse. C. Joh. Kieviet taught here from 1883 to 1902. He wrote his first book about Dik Trom in the adjoining teacher’s house. The school and teacher’s house thus mark two points in the same story: where Kieviet taught and where his first Dik Trom book was written.

The collection includes various editions of the Dik Trom books, other books by C. Joh. Kieviet, and children’s books from before 1940. Those interested in how the character came about can connect the biographical link between the classroom, the teacher’s house, and the book with a look at the works on display. The theme also extends beyond a single character to children’s books from before 1940.

Grote Kerk and Cultural Program

The Grote Kerk Oosthuizen houses the pipework and case of an organ dating from the 15th century. The church also regularly hosts cultural events, including classical concerts and exhibitions. This brings together two aspects: a specific historical detail of the church building and a recurring cultural program. If you are visiting for a concert or exhibition, check the event dates in advance.

Church Routes and Polder Landscape

The Kerkenroute passes through seven distinctive village churches in Kwadijk, Middelie, Oosthuizen, Beets, Schardam, Etersheim, and Warder. At the stops, QR codes provide brief historical information, as well as photos and videos. Digital content may change; also check route conditions before setting out. The Kerkenroute focuses on cultural history, while other routes explore nature and landscape.

The 10.6-kilometer Kogen- en brakenroute starts in Oosthuizen. Further along, it passes the Oosterkoog wetland at the edge of the Markermeer. The area is known for overwintering Eurasian curlews and black-tailed godwits that are present in spring. Winter and spring therefore offer different seasonal wildlife-watching opportunities; animal sightings may vary. Access is seasonal on some sections, which you should take into account before setting out.

The Pontjesroute offers a different focus: it runs through meadows and uses two hand-operated cable ferries; access is seasonal. The Fietsroute door de Beemster en langs de Kust passes through Oosthuizen. Walking and cycling routes through polders and along waterways start at the Toeristisch Overstappunt Oosthuizen. The routes therefore differ in theme: churches and historical information on the one hand, and waterways, meadows, or seasonal birdlife on the other.

The Wider Regional Context

The wider regional context is the former Zeevang region, characterized by reed beds, small country lanes, distinctive meadow birds, and long villages with stolp farmhouses and wooden houses. In this region, you can take bike rides, go for walks, and canoe with views of the Markermeer. This adds a broader landscape perspective to Oosthuizen without reducing the character of the village to a single route or theme.

Discover more destinations: Middelie, Schardam, Warder, Kwadijk, Beets

Return to the main travel overview: Zeevang.