Discover Wathlingen

Wathlingen brings together several themes that can be given different priorities when planning a trip: observing nature, history and outdoor activities. The Nature Contact Centre, St. Mary's Church and the former Kali railway offer specific points of interest. Which of these matter to you depends on the planned focus of your stay.

Nature Contact Centre and landscape

The Nature Contact Centre in Wathlingen offers several ways to engage with nature: its garden and project areas are for observing nature and relaxing, while a Green Classroom provides hands-on environmental education. There are also seasonal guided tours focusing on flora and fauna, as well as workshops, seminars and talks on the same topics. The activities range from observing nature and relaxing to practical environmental education and events about plant and animal life.

The Nature Contact Centre is located at Hasklintweg 24 in Wathlingen and is signposted with green-and-white cycle route markers. If you plan to join a seasonal guided tour, check the current dates in advance. The Wathlingen collective municipality is located in the southern Lüneburg Heath. The wider Wathlingen area alternates between extensive woodlands and meadows, where horses and cattle graze. The wider area offers hiking and cycling routes through the Brand nature reserve.

Culture and local history

The 4 Generationen Park Wathlingen has a fully equipped cinema with 44 seats, including two wheelchair-accessible seats. If you plan to visit the cinema, check the current screenings in advance.

The oldest surviving parts of St. Mary's Church date from the 14th century. A later turning point in local history was the village fire of 1695, which destroyed most of the village, including the vicarage and the widows' house. These two historical dates point to different aspects of Wathlingen: medieval building fabric and a devastating fire.

The Wathlingen collective municipality is also part of a town twinning with Truskavets in western Ukraine. The partnership documents were signed in Wathlingen and Truskavets in 2018. Another trace of history leads to the former Kali railway, which connected Hänigsen, Wathlingen, Nienhagen and Ehlershausen. You can experience part of the route on a motorised or pedal-powered rail trolley. Check before your trip whether rides are available.

More nature activities in the Celle destination

The Südheide Nature Park in the Celle destination has ten signposted themed cycling routes with a total length of more than 400 kilometres. They lead to notable sights and pass through heathland, woodlands, heathland streams, and moor and pond landscapes. The nature park also has 23 themed hiking trails, five discovery trails and three long-distance hiking trails. These activities are part of the Celle destination and should be distinguished from the local routes in the wider Wathlingen area.

Canoeing on the heathland streams in the Celle district is permitted with restrictions every year from 16 May to 14 October. Check local restrictions and water levels before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Wietze, Faßberg, Wienhausen, Hermannsburg, Lohheide, Unterlüß, Nordburg, Müden

Back to the main travel overview: Celle.