Krimpen Aan Den Ijssel: Nature, Water and Regional History

Discover Krimpen Aan Den Ijssel through its regional craft and shipping history, varied green spaces, and a landscape shaped by the river and the tides. The Streekmuseum Krimpenerwaard, the Heemtuin and the natural areas each offer something different. You can shape your stay around culture, short walks or waterside scenery.

Museum and shipyard history

The Streekmuseum Krimpenerwaard is housed in a monumental 17th-century “Hallehuis”-type farmhouse. The museum covers topics including inland shipping, brickworks and rope-making; it also has an old “Ot en Sien” classroom. These themes offer insights into different aspects of regional history and work. The museum and grounds are also open for cultural gatherings, educational programmes, celebrations and workshops. The programmes on offer vary by season. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.; check the opening hours before your visit.

Another glimpse into history can be found at Scheepswerf Van Duijvendijk on the IJsseldijk. The complex consists of a house and two wooden sheds; a shipyard at this location is documented as far back as 1622. In cultural and historical terms, the complex is considered a rare surviving example of an industry once widespread along the major rivers. Here, two different ways to explore the past sit side by side: the museum and its regional themes, and a specific historic shipyard site.

Kinderboerderij Klein Boveneind also combines nature and learning. This public leisure facility offers encounters with farm animals and shares knowledge about nature and the environment; an education centre provides nature and environmental lessons. Recreation, animal encounters and environmental education come together here. Current programmes may vary.

Heemtuin and tidal landscape

Heemtuin Krimpen covers two hectares and showcases several landscape types of the Krimpenerwaard: blue grassland, marsh marigold meadows, an orchid field, an alder carr and a dike lined with pollarded willows. A circular walk of less than one kilometre passes characteristic landscape features. Its short route and variety of habitats make the Heemtuin a way to discover different landscapes within a small area.

The nine-hectare Stormpoldervloedbos nature area has a different character. It lies outside the dikes in the Nieuwe Maas near Krimpen aan den IJssel. Channels run through the area, filling and emptying twice a day with the ebb and flow of the tide. Water levels may affect access; check local conditions before your visit. Birds found in the area include kingfishers, green and great spotted woodpeckers, various species of geese and ducks, and birds of prey. Whether you see particular species depends on the season.

Krimpenerhout and trails

Near Krimpen aan den IJssel, south of the town centre and close to the N210, lies the Krimpenerhout recreation area. Recreation forest, marsh zones and ponds shape the area, which has routes for walkers and cyclists. Within Krimpenerhout, the smaller wooded areas of Lansing Zuid and EZH Bos lie north of the N210. Those planning an outing in the area will find both open wetlands and wooded areas.

Krimpenerhout also offers opportunities for swimming, surfing and sport fishing. There is a separate dog beach and a water play area on the eastern side. Check the latest water-quality advice before swimming. The different activities and areas make it easier to plan a stay around your own interests, as not all parts of the area have the same character.

The historic walk in Lansingh-Zuid consists of three short walks of about two kilometres each and is described as a combined six-kilometre route. You can treat the individual sections as shorter stages or plan for the stated full route. The walk is also considered accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Weather and maintenance can affect conditions, so check the local state of the paths before your visit. The preserved Lansing-Kade is an old boundary between two polders. In the nature area along the historic walk, the landscape in some ways resembles how it was up to about the 11th century, before the Krimpenerwaard was reclaimed as a polder. Ditches and drainage canals regulated the water level there.

For cycling, the Krimpenerwaard cycle network, in the wider region, comprises 45 junctions and 153 kilometres of cycle paths. Network details may be updated; check them before your ride. For travel by water, Waterbus line 20 runs between Dordrecht Merwekade and the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam. It stops in Dordrecht, Papendrecht, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Alblasserdam, Ridderkerk, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Capelle aan den IJssel and Rotterdam. Routes and services may change, so it is a good idea to check the current connection before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Zoetermeer, Dirksland, Korendijk, Binnenmaas, Nieuw-Lekkerland, Zoeterwoude, Giessenlanden, Lansingerland

For the regional travel overview: South Holland.