Ridderkerk: Tidal Landscapes, Windmills and History

Ridderkerk combines a rare freshwater tidal landscape with windmills, a harbour and historic sites. Nature trails, birdlife and architectural heritage offer different aspects to consider when planning your trip. You can weigh up which themes to focus on by looking at specific places and their history.

Tidal landscapes, birdlife and trails

The Crezéepolder is a 50-hectare tidal nature area between Ridderkerk and Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht. As a rare freshwater tidal area in the Netherlands and northwestern Europe, it has a distinctive landscape character. You can walk on the trails in and around the area between sunrise and sunset. An unpaved walking trail runs around the entire polder. As access rules may change, check the latest information before your visit.

The Ridderkerkse Griend, an old willow coppice with narrow paths and bridges, lies on the northwestern side of the Crezéepolder. It provides a habitat for beavers, kingfishers and woodpeckers; the distinctive marsh marigold blooms there in spring. The seasons also shape the polder’s birdlife: nearly 100 pairs of pied avocets nest there in spring, although seasonal numbers may vary.

In the vicinity of Ridderkerk, the Crezéepolder has two birdwatching hides and two viewpoints on the river De Noord. Another notable viewpoint is De Gorzen: the park has a 22-metre-high hill and a lookout tower at its highest point.

Windmills and harbour

The Rijsoordse Molen is a Grondzeiler-type grain windmill and a national monument dating from 1822. It is a working mill, operating and grinding wheat, spelt and rye into fine flour. Visitors are welcome to learn more about how the mill works while its sails are turning and, occasionally, its millstones are grinding. The focus here is therefore both on the technical principles and on the ongoing milling operations.

Ridderkerk harbour lies on the Nieuwe Maas and the Noord. It comprises two marinas and an industrial harbour. The harbour is thus a distinct part of the townscape, alongside the nature and history found at the other places mentioned.

Local history and historic buildings

The Ridderkerk Oudheidkamer Museum is housed in a former village school dating from 1840. Its permanent exhibition tells the history of Ridderkerk and displays many objects typical of the town. It also hosts temporary exhibitions on various subjects, which are mounted around eight to ten times a year.

The Singelkerk was rebuilt after the St. Elizabeth’s flood of 1421 and dedicated to Saint George in 1452. The canal around the church was created in 1620 and gave it its name. Another testament to local industrial history is the Vlasroterij on Pruimendijk, one of the few flax retting works still preserved in the Netherlands. Gebouw U is a national monument and one of the last reminders of the Industrial Revolution in Ridderkerk.

The history of the Kasteelruïne Te Woude can also be dated: construction began in 1372, but was halted after the Riederwaard was flooded and the castle was never completed. The ruin was stabilised and partly restored in 1969. Huys ten Donck, meanwhile, is a historic country house on an estate dating from 1746.

In Rijsoord, General Winkelman signed the capitulation of the Netherlands on 15 May 1940 at the Schoolmaster's House and the Lower School. The classroom where the capitulation took place has been preserved and is now part of the Capitulatielokaal Museum. The capitulation is commemorated every year on 15 May at the war memorial by the Schoolmaster's House and the Lower School. The Museumschool in Rijsoord is currently closed for renovation.

Memorial sites and green spaces

A memorial in Vredehof Cemetery commemorates those killed or who died in Ridderkerk and elsewhere during the Second World War. Vredehof is also a park-like cemetery with a special collection of trees from North America and Asia. Separately, a two-minute silence for the Dutch Dodenherdenking is held every year on 4 May at the war memorial in Rusthof Cemetery.

The De Dierenhof petting farm is located in Oosterpark in Ridderkerk. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome to visit the animals while out for a walk. It adds a specific place to encounter animals in the park to the landscape and history themes.

For the broader travel overview: Ridderkerk.