Westerhaar-Vriezenv Wijk: Peat History & Veenschap

In Westerhaar-Vriezenv Wijk, there is plenty to explore during a stay, from local history to nature. The town’s roots are shaped by agriculture and peat extraction; the Veenschap is home to long, narrow fields, and the protected Engbertsdijksvenen area lies to the east. Cultural history, walking and the peat landscape offer different points of interest if you want to choose a destination for more than a single attraction.

Agriculture, peat extraction and local history

The origins of the town are shaped by both agriculture and peat extraction. Westerhaar initially developed as a collection of individual farms. Their residents used land that they leased from the monastery in Sibculo. The early farms and the leased land give the settlement’s history a tangible agricultural connection.

Large-scale peat extraction brought another significant development: workers from Drenthe and Friesland in particular moved to Westerhaar. The history of the town therefore includes not only the use of the land, but also the origins of the people drawn there by the peat industry. Both themes—agriculture and peat—feature in different chapters of the town’s development.

The merging of Westerhaar and Vriezenveensewijk also has a specific historical connection. In 1920, a Reformed church was built between the two places. This construction contributed in part to their gradually growing together over time. The date and location between the two places help put this part of the settlement’s history into context, without reducing their unification to a single cause.

A walk through the Veenschap

The “Ommetje Veenschap: geschiedenis” walk leads through the Veenschap, with its characteristic Vriezenveen parcel pattern of long, narrow fields. The field layout makes the landscape a fitting subject for anyone who wants to notice the area’s historical character while out walking. The route also includes a boardwalk—another distinctive feature of this trail.

The walk starts at Dalweg 39, 7676 SB Westerhaar-Vriezenveensewijk. One important limitation to bear in mind when planning: because of cattle grids and peat and sandy ground, the route is not suitable for wheelchair users or users of mobility scooters. These notes describe the conditions on this walk and should be considered when deciding whether to take the route.

Peat landscape, peat train and art

Engbertsdijksvenen is located east of Westerhaar-Vriezenv Wijk, nearby. This natural area is a protected Natura 2000 site where rare raised bog can still be found. It offers a distinct natural point of interest alongside the town’s history of peat extraction: here, the protected raised bog takes centre stage, while in Westerhaar, the historical importance of peat extraction is the focus.

The Veenmuseum offers a different perspective on peat. Visitors can explore its grounds on an original peat train. This makes the experience different from the walk through the Veenschap: here, you can explore the museum grounds by train, while the walking route takes you through the characteristic fields. Both experiences reflect peat’s regional importance, but each has a different focus.

Art and architectural history are also part of the local story. The Boerderij Galerie Dekker building dates from 1911. The gallery regularly exhibits paintings by Jennie Dekker as well as works by other artists. The gallery thus combines a historic building with changing art exhibitions; no specific exhibition dates are implied. This adds another topic to consider when choosing what interests you during a stay, alongside local history and the landscape.

Discover more destinations: Den Ham

Return to the regional travel overview: Twenterand.