Discover Bussum: heathland, routes and history

For your stay in Bussum, you can choose from nature trails, local themed routes and cultural and historical sites, each with a different focus. The routes each offer something distinct: the Van Kooten en De Bie Route is described in terms of distance and duration, while Bussum’s bijzondere bomen focuses on plants and offers several possible starting or finishing points. Heathland, parks and architectural history round out the experience.

Heathland and routes in Bussum

Together with the Westerheide, the Bussummerheide forms the largest contiguous heathland area in the Gooi. TOP De Zandzee is right beside the Bussumse heide and is a starting point for walks or bike rides in nature. The Wandelen door Bussum walking route goes from the town centre to the heathland and back. For a longer bike ride, the Fietsroute: Bussum, rondje Tafelbergheide is 42.6 kilometres long. Check the route conditions before setting off.

The Van Kooten en De Bie Route is more than six kilometres long and takes three hours. Concrete slabs bearing a logo and QR code mark its stops. The route takes you to places in Bussum and Naarden where television programmes by Van Kooten en De Bie were filmed. This makes it easy to plan the walk around a specific time frame.

On Bussum’s bijzondere bomen, you can start or finish the route at several points. It passes through Het Mouwtje Park, Bilderdijkplantsoen and the Brediuskwartier. Along the way, you will encounter dozens of trees, shrubs and plants, described by experts. This theme sets the route apart from the Van Kooten en De Bie Route, which is designed to take three hours.

Neighbourhoods, parks and townscape

The Brediuskwartier was developed in the 1920s and 1930s. Its landscape history includes Het Mouwtje Park and Willem Bilderdijk Park: both were laid out, in part, along deep trenches dug in former sand-extraction areas. As you walk through the neighbourhood, you will encounter a setting whose parks also tell the story of the land’s former use.

Bussum – Het Spiegel is officially designated as a protected townscape. Together with the development history of the Brediuskwartier, this view of Bussum reveals two different aspects of its townscape: the protected status of Het Spiegel and the period in which a neighbourhood and its parkland took shape.

History and cultural attractions

The Algemene Begraafplaats Amersfoortsestraatweg in Bussum was established in 1830 on behalf of the then municipality of Naarden. The complex is considered a very early, rare and well-preserved example of a general cemetery. The Joodse Begraafplaats Amersfoortsestraatweg complex was also established in 1830. This Jewish burial ground from the early 19th century is largely intact and is of cultural and architectural historical value. The complex includes a cemetery gate, a mortuary and two wooden funerary monuments.

Fort Werk IV also places Bussum’s history in a broader historical context. It is the only surviving one of the five original works in a line of forts built around 1870 in front of Naarden Fortress. This line was part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. Bensdorp is another historical landmark: the chocolate factory opened in Bussum in 1849. Original elements such as crowns, keystones, façade anchors, spouts and rosettes were reused in the reconstructed main building.

Filmhuis Bussum screens films that receive too little attention elsewhere and complements its programme with opportunities for learning, education and reflection. The venue has cinema rooms, a café and an upstairs room for workshops or presentations. Contact Filmhuis directly for programme information and details about access.

Market and places to eat

The Wekelijkse donderdag-markt Bussum takes place every Thursday; check the current schedule before your visit. In the centre, on Kapelstraat and around the monumental Naarden-Bussum railway station, you’ll find cosy pubs, restaurants and outdoor terraces. So, when planning your visit, you’ll have landmarks for markets and places to eat as well as routes and historical attractions.

For the broader travel overview: Bussum.