Kedichem: Linge, Nature and Cultural Heritage

Kedichem lies on the Linge, and the river is a recurring point of reference for the landscape and leisure activities. Walking trails along the water, a particularly appealing cycling route in spring, and the dike ponds each offer something different. Historic traces of the church and rural architecture complete the picture. You can decide which aspect to focus on based on your interests and the season.

The Linge, the dike and habitats

The “wielen” along the dike near Kedichem are ponds formed after historic dike breaches. They are a distinctive landscape feature for travellers interested in the connections between water, dikes and regional history. The grasslands along the Linge are important breeding and resting sites for birds, adding ecological significance to this view of the river landscape.

Populations of great crested newts are also part of this natural area: populations near Kedichem and Oosterwijk are located along the Linge between Leerdam and Arkel. Their habitats include extensively managed grassland and deciduous woodland along the river, as well as adjacent farmsteads on the landward side of the dike. One population near Kedichem is associated with a pond on the landward side of the dike that has a large population of sticklebacks. These details give nature enthusiasts a closer look at the different habitats along the Linge.

Church and rural cultural heritage

The tower of the Hervormde Kerk in Kedichem is protected as a separate Rijksmonument under number 23542. The church has a single-manual organ from the 18th century, which came from Sleen. The church bell frame contains a bell attributed to P. van Trier, dating from 1625; it has a diameter of 105 cm. The tower, organ and bell represent different aspects of the church’s heritage, combining a specific monument number with concrete details about its furnishings.

The farm at Lingedijk 13 also adds to the picture of historic buildings. It probably dates from the 18th century. Its dating is therefore less certain than the year given for the bell; both details offer different perspectives on the period of the built heritage.

Seasonal activities

Visitors can use walking trails along the Linge in Kedichem. Check the availability of the walking trails before your trip. Seasonal opportunities vary considerably: in spring, a cycling route along the Linge is particularly appealing when the fruit trees are in bloom; in winter, IJsclub De Linge offers ice skating on its own rink, weather permitting. The blossom season gives the cycling route a seasonal focus, while skating at the rink depends on winter conditions.

The Linge from the water

If you would like to explore the Linge from the water, Lingelands rents electric sloops for 1 to 10 people, with boarding available on the Linge in Kedichem. No boating licence is required for these electric sloops. Check the latest information on capacity and rental conditions before planning your trip. The stated group size helps you consider boat rental as a separate option alongside walking and cycling, without confusing the activities.

In the surrounding area, in Oosterwijk, there is a car park and a picnic area from which you can enjoy the Linge river landscape. These places offer another way to connect with the landscape, but they are in Oosterwijk and are not facilities in Kedichem.

Discover more destinations: Leerdam, Leerdam, Oosterwijk.

Go to the main travel overview: Leerdam.