Roodeschool between railways, village history and craftsmanship

Roodeschool combines a railway line with a village history that can be read in its dike, streets and individual buildings. If you are looking for a hotel in Roodeschool, the rail connection, historic architecture and arts and crafts offer concrete points to consider when choosing your destination. This can help you decide whether to focus your stay more on getting there, the village’s history or cultural themes.

Rail connection and getting there

The railway line between Roodeschool and Eemshaven was extended by three kilometres. In Roodeschool, the station was moved to a new location. The train from Groningen via Roodeschool continues directly to Eemshaven. You can factor this connection into your travel plans; check the current timetables before travelling.

The two railway details are useful in different ways when choosing a destination: the continuation to Eemshaven describes the rail connection, while the station’s relocation records a change within the village itself.

From dike village to street village

Roodeschool originally developed as a dike village over the course of the 17th century. From 1718, a dike turned an extensive salt marsh area into the Oostpolder, placing the village behind the protection of the dike. From the late 19th century onwards, increasingly dense development along the road gave Roodeschool the character of a street village. The terms dike village and street village therefore refer to different chapters in the village’s development: its historic relationship with the landscape and the later settlement pattern along the road.

Buildings and architecture

A clear example of how a village building was once used can be found at M.H. Trompstraat 13: the former residential house included a bakery and a shop, as well as an attached shed dating from 1934. It was built in a regional variant of the Amsterdam School style. Because of its cultural and architectural-historical value, the well-preserved building is considered an example of a village shop from the 1930s. Residential, commercial and architectural elements come together in this single house.

The building at Hooilandseweg 21 also combines distinctive architectural features: it is a relatively well-preserved Groningen transverse house with decorative elements in the Eclectic style and an attached rear house. At Hooilandseweg 82 stands the Gereformeerde kerk (Vrijgemaakt), a building dating from 1871 with a T-shaped floor plan. The Gereformeerde kerk at Hooilandseweg 75, by contrast, is a traditional hall church with a massive tower. The different floor plans and building styles give architecture enthusiasts several specific details to look out for while exploring the village.

Art and crafts

LITI Galerie / Linda Bouter Art is located in Roodeschool’s former public primary school. It displays ceramics, paintings, mixed-media works and poems by Linda Bouter and Tiny Bouter-Snijders. The range of art forms makes the gallery a distinct cultural attraction alongside the historic village architecture. If you are planning a visit, check in advance whether visits are possible.

Orgelmakerij Steendam in Roodeschool offers another connection with craftsmanship. Since 1986, the workshop has built, modified, restored and renovated organs. Visitors can view and handle objects there. It is best to arrange a visit with the workshop in advance. This lets you include the workshop in your plans without assuming there are fixed visiting hours.

Cycling in the village and in Groningen

Roodeschool is part of the cycling junction network. The connection to the national LF-10 cycle route is 1,500 metres outside the village. Check the current signs before setting off. For orientation, it is worth distinguishing between these details: the junction network describes the village’s connection to the network, while the LF-10 connection is 1,500 metres outside Roodeschool.

A broader route in Groningen is the LF Kustroute. It runs for 610 kilometres over, in front of and behind the Dutch dike; around 90 kilometres of it pass through Groningen. There, the route connects the Lauwersmeer and Dollard nature areas. Travel planning can therefore take in both the local cycling network and a longer route with a regional focus. Check the exact route before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Uithuizen, Eemshaven, Warffum, Uithuizermeeden, Oudeschip

Go to the main travel overview: Eemsmond.