Midden-Delfland: Polders, Paths and Culture

Midden-Delfland combines an open polder landscape with regional history and a variety of ways to explore the area on foot, by bicycle or on the water. The open peat meadow landscape was designated a Bijzonder Provinciaal Landschap (Special Provincial Landscape) in 2017. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can plan your trip around the themes that interest you most: landscape, walking routes, water or culture.

Polder Landscape and Nature

Midden-Delfland is one of the oldest polder areas in the Netherlands. Straight ditches, winding dikes and monumental farmhouses define the landscape. The natural areas consist mainly of expansive polders with cows, meadow birds and flowers. This brings farmland and natural features together in the landscape, without any single route representing the entire area.

The Het Aalkeetbuiten duck decoy lies in the heart of Midden-Delfland. Along the way, rangers explain how a duck decoy works and why absolute quiet is essential. The dates of these excursions may change, so check them before your trip. For a walk along country paths, there are five established farm walks, one section of which passes through farmland. There is also a growing number of unpaved paths along waterways and through meadows. Local path conditions can change, so it is a good idea to check them before setting out.

Churches, Museums and Regional History

Op Hodenpijl is a cultural church, restaurant and centre for health and wellbeing. The church hosts concerts, lectures and meditation sessions; the programme and dates may change. Behind Op Hodenpijl is a quiet area with a barefoot path and labyrinth, where walking meditation is also possible. Seasonal access restrictions apply, so take them into account when planning your visit.

The museums also offer different ways to explore the area’s history. Museum Het Tramstation is located in a former station of the Westlandsche Stoomtramweg Maatschappij. Its fully preserved interior includes an Art Nouveau waiting room; the building is a young Rijksmonument (national heritage site). The Keenenburg Room presents the history of the castle and its residents, as well as finds from excavations. The re-covered foundations of a castle are also an archaeological monument.

At Museum De Schilpen, rooms are furnished as they would have been between 1900 and 1950. These include displays on farm-based butter and cheese making, as well as agricultural tools typical of the region. The museum also preserves a shop with its original early 20th-century furnishings. Guided tours and village walks are available by appointment. If you are interested in church routes, the KERKenPADEN booklet covers ten churches, some of them former churches, as well as 21 existing and vanished church paths in Schipluiden, Maasland, Den Hoorn and ’t Woudt.

Walking, Cycling and Water Routes

The KERKenPADEN booklet contains four walking routes ranging from 6.5 to 9 kilometres, as well as a cycling route of about 32 kilometres. Route details may be updated in later editions. A cycling route from Natuurmonumenten presents the landscape from the perspective of the artists of the Hague School; check access to the route in advance. The Delflandse Trekvaarten route map also brings together walking, cycling and boating routes. They offer a way to discover the history of the Delflandse Trekvaarten and trekschuit traffic.

When choosing a tour, it makes a difference whether you want to walk along paths and through farmland or view the landscape from the water. The Midden-Delfland waterway network is designed for canoes, sloops and small cabin boats. Guided boat trips through the polders offer insight into the area’s historic heritage. Water conditions, regulations, timetables and operators may change; check the relevant information for your trip in advance.

Farm Shops and Regional Produce

Farm shops are also part of the area’s rural character. They sell cheese, dairy products, meat, eggs, vegetables and fruit. The selection at individual shops may vary. Together with the museums, paths and water-based activities, they offer a range of themes for your days in Midden-Delfland, from landscape and farming to the history of churches and transport routes.

Discover more destinations: Maasland, Schipluiden, Den Hoorn, Rijnwoude, Nieuw-Lekkerland, Boskoop, Capelle Aan Den Ijssel, Teylingen.

For the regional travel overview: South Holland.