Discover Westerbeek: Churches, Monuments and Events
Accommodation in Westerbeek
Westerbeek offers a variety of reasons to visit: churches and war memorials, the history of the settlement and its landscape, events, and a route that passes through the village. The topics range from late Gothic architecture to memorial sites from the Second World War.
Churches, Monuments and Architectural History
The Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (H. Hart van Jezus) stands at Stevensstraat 68. It was built in 1922 to a design by Hubert van Groenendael and features a late Gothic style. The church is designated a Rijksmonument. It stands at a crossroads in the Westerbeek settlement, near the rectory and the school.
The Lancaster Monument in the church garden on Kerkstraat is a replica of the tail section of a Lancaster bomber. It commemorates the crew of the British bomber that crashed in Westerbeek on the night of 3–4 February 1945. All seven crew members were killed and are buried in Westerbeek. Check local access arrangements before visiting the monument.
Military and architectural landmarks are also part of the village landscape: Casemate 405 dates from 1939–1940 and stands on the west bank of the Defensiekanaal. The S11 water-control and distribution structure is one of Westerbeek’s Rijksmonumenten. The house at Kerkstraat 23 is designated a protected building that contributes to the character of the streetscape.
The History of Westerbeek and the Peel
The area of present-day Westerbeek was formerly called De Twist. The name was associated with long-running border disputes in the Peel region. Historically, the surrounding area was a Peel landscape used in common: peat was cut there and sheep were grazed, while extensive heathlands, meres and peat bogs shaped the area. In 1858, a few pioneers settled in what is now Westerbeek and tried to make something of these lands. This background connects the historical name and the development of the settlement within a shared regional context.
Events and Local Activities
The Westerbeekse Oogstdag is held annually and gives visitors a chance to experience agricultural history. De Twisse Dorsers organized the 38th edition on 19 July 2026. If you are planning to attend a future edition, check the dates before travelling.
HXtival at Verbindingsboerderij De Koolberg is a recurring festival. The programme includes workshops, readings, food trucks and live music, as well as more than 90 exhibitors. Programme details may change for future editions. Verbindingsboerderij also hosts pop-up restaurant evenings in association with DĂ© Wijnclub Online. These events include tapas evenings, wine tastings and asparagus offerings. As places are limited, booking is recommended; dates and menus may change.
Route Through Westerbeek and the Surrounding Area
The 44-kilometre “Rondom Sint Anthonis” route passes through Westerbeek. It runs through the forests and heathlands of Boswachterij Sint Anthonis, through the rural agricultural area around Wanroij, along the Radioplassen in Stevensbeek and via Westerbeek to the mills in Oploo. The route therefore takes in several different landscapes and places along a continuous course. Check before travelling whether the route is available.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Oploo, Sint Anthonis, Wanroij.
Back to the main travel overview: Sint Anthonis.
