Discover Ooij

If you are considering Ooij as a destination, you can focus on two things: the landscape of the Ooijpolder and the history of brick production. The Ommetje Ooij circular walk takes you through the polder landscape and also offers insights into its cultural history. Other features of the landscape, historic buildings and a monument commemorating brick production in the surrounding area round out the experience.

On foot through the Ooijpolder

The Ommetje Ooij circular walk is 7.5 kilometres long and partly unpaved. It follows winding dikes and farm tracks through the Ooijpolder. Its length gives you a concrete point of reference for planning your walks; conditions may vary on the unpaved sections. The route also explores the origins of the river landscape. The walk thus combines a defined route with a landscape whose formation is itself part of the story.

The Ommetje also introduces you to Ooij’s cultural history: the village is presented as a former workers’ village associated with brick production until well into the 1970s. The route therefore offers a historical perspective alongside its journey through the polder landscape. If you are more interested in how the landscape developed, its origins take centre stage; the former brickmaking trade offers a separate perspective on industrial history.

River landscape and wildlife

The Ooijpolder is an extensive polder landscape in the Waal’s floodplains and an important part of the De Gelderse Poort National Landscape. Wild horses, beavers and large geese can be found in the polder; Galloway cattle also graze there. Which animals you may encounter and where the cattle are grazing can vary with the season.

The Ooijpolder offers a large area to explore freely, as well as an observation tower. Check local access conditions before your visit. The Ooijroute offers another way to experience the landscape: along it, you can discover old river channels, floodplains, clay pits, marshes and river dunes. This route therefore takes in different features from the Ommetje Ooij, whose length, surface and course are described above.

Traces of brick production

One visible reminder is “De Ballenmaker”. The monument stands in the centre of Ooij, at the intersection of Bleistraat and Kon. Julianalaan, and commemorates brick production in the surrounding area. The former Steenfabriek De Vlietberg was built in 1873 and closed in 1975. Today, its truncated chimney, director’s house and coach house remain. Together with the history of the workers’ village, these offer a glimpse of different aspects of the brick industry: production, surviving buildings and the lives of the workers.

The name Tiengeboden also tells a story about this working community. It comes from two rows of five houses, each built back-to-back, that were constructed for workers at Steenfabriek De Vlietberg. The Tiengeboden are workers’ houses of the kind built by brickworks along the dike. The history of brick production is therefore connected not only with factories but also with the homes of their employees. Steenfabriek De Ooij is also a stop on the “Steengoed – Fietsen door de Ooijpolder en Lingewaard” cycling route. Check whether access is possible before making a detour.

Church and architecture

Another cultural highlight is the Sint Hubertuskerk in Ooij. The neo-Gothic church was built in 1904–05 to a design by architect Caspar Franssen (1860–1932). Its style, construction dates and architect place the church in a clearly defined historical context. The Stichting Van Steen en Natuur works to preserve the culturally and historically significant brickmaking landscape in the Ooijpolder and aims to introduce visitors to this cultural landscape, which is unique in the Netherlands.

When choosing your excursions, you can weigh up different interests: a walk of a specific length on partly unpaved ground, exploring the river landscape and wildlife, or discovering traces of brickmaking history. Discover more destinations: Beek-Ubbergen, Ubbergen.

Return to the broader travel overview: Ubbergen.