Discover Waddinxveen

Waddinxveen brings together a range of different themes: the municipality’s south is home to the water-rich peat landscape of ’t Weegje, while historic buildings along the Gouwe shape its cultural character. There is also the Parel aan de Gouwe cycling route, whose cultural theme extends beyond Waddinxveen. When planning your visit, you can consider nature watching, architectural history and a bike ride as distinct focal points.

’t Weegje: peat lake and meadow birds

’t Weegje is a green peatland area of about 60 hectares between the Gouwe, the Ringvaart and the railway line. The large peat lake is surrounded by walking paths, pollarded willows and marsh vegetation. The water, paths and characteristic pollarded willows provide the setting for the landscape; the marsh vegetation is also part of this picture.

On the north side of the lake, a birdwatching shelter overlooks a damp meadow for meadow birds. This makes the landscape interesting to travellers who are particularly interested in birds and wetlands: the viewing point focuses on the meadow, while the lake and its surroundings provide the broader context. Nature and the history of monuments are therefore two clearly distinct themes for a stay in Waddinxveen.

Architectural history along the Gouwe

The lift bridge over the Gouwe in Waddinxveen is a riveted steel structure dating from 1935–1936. It has both cultural-historical and architectural-historical value. The bridge’s high degree of rarity is also due to the fact that few well-preserved lift bridges of this kind remain. It is also associated with the identical lift bridges in Alphen aan den Rijn and Boskoop. The bridge can therefore be understood not only through its construction and date, but also through its rarity and this comparison.

Another historic landmark is the Remonstrant Church. It is an official Rijksmonument (national heritage site) and is considered the oldest monument in Waddinxveen. It was built as a semi-hidden church along the Gouwe. Together with the lift bridge, it offers two different perspectives on the town’s architectural history: here, a riveted steel structure; there, a church building with religious and historical associations.

Culture and planning your visit

The church building at Zuidkade 59 is suitable for small music performances, lectures and exhibitions. If you are interested in a specific event, check the relevant dates. The Oudheidkamer is open every Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; seasonal changes are possible. So check the opening hours before your visit.

Parel aan de Gouwe: a cultural cycling route

The Parel aan de Gouwe cycling route is 27 km long and starts at Waddinxveen Centrum railway station. It passes through Waddinxveen, as well as Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Gouda, Krimpenerwaard and Zuidplas. Its cultural theme encompasses murals, art objects, sayings, windmills and museums along the way. These stops and impressions are part of the route as a whole; they do not describe Waddinxveen alone. Check the route details before setting off. The stated distance gives you a specific figure to help with planning.

If you are looking for a hotel in Waddinxveen, first consider what will shape your stay: the landscape at ’t Weegje, the buildings along the Gouwe or the cultural cycling route. This lets you choose the destination based on specific interests, without combining very different experiences into a single itinerary. Discover more destinations: Waddinxveen

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