Noordwijkerhout: Flower Bulb Region and Local History

Noordwijkerhout combines flower growing in the Bollenstreek with local history, a recreational lake, and routes through dunes and flower fields. If you are looking for a hotel in Noordwijkerhout, these different themes can help you focus on what you want from your destination: Would you like to plan seasonal flower experiences, learn about local history, or spend time by the water and on the trails?

Flower Growing and Seasonal Events

Tulip Experience Amsterdam is part of an active flower-growing business in Noordwijkerhout and is located in the heart of the Bollenstreek. The attraction is open seasonally, making it one of the activities you should plan around the season of your trip.

The “Bloemenmozaïeken Noordwijkerhout” (Noordwijkerhout Flower Mosaics) also bring flowers into the townscape: Thousands of hyacinth blossoms are arranged into colorful works of art in the garden around the Witte Kerk in the town center. The event program is seasonal. Another seasonal event is the “Illuminated Parade”: At 9:00 p.m., floats illuminated with thousands of lights travel through Noordwijkerhout. If you would like to time your trip to coincide with one of these events, check the dates and traffic regulations for the relevant program in advance.

Church and Local History

The Witte Kerk is a monumental church in the center of Noordwijkerhout. A wooden church is believed to have stood on this site in the 11th century. In the first half of the 13th century, a stone church with a Romanesque choir was built there. The development from the presumed early wooden structure to the later stone church gives local history a clear chronological sequence.

For another way to explore the past, the “Noordwijkerhout van Toen” (Noordwijkerhout of Yesteryear) Museum (NoVaTo) presents local history through text, images, and audio. Visits to the Witte Kerk and time for quiet reflection are scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., as well as on special days during the summer season. Before visiting, check whether these hours are still in effect.

Oosterduinse Meer and Routes Through the Surrounding Area

Oosterduinse Meer, also known as Comomeer, is a recreational lake in Noordwijkerhout. Visitors can swim, relax, and enjoy nature here. The lake is an official bathing-water site, and the province monitors the water quality. If you plan to swim, check the latest water-quality information in advance.

The lake’s origins are also part of the area’s landscape history: In the 1950s and 1960s, the former Oosterduinen were excavated to provide sand for a calcium silicate brick factory in Hillegom. Its present-day use as a recreational lake therefore sits alongside the area’s clearly defined former use.

The “Duinen- en bollenroute” (Dunes and Flower Bulb Route) is a cycling route around Noordwijkerhout that passes through dunes, flower fields, and the town center. The landscapes named in the route offer a way to discover the different parts of the surrounding area. If you are more interested in a walking route, the starting point for “Langs buitenplaatsen en bollenvelden” (Along Country Estates and Flower Fields) is at the Nieuw Leeuwenhorst parking lot on Gooweg in Noordwijkerhout. The Noordwijk & Noordwijkerhout Tourist Information Center advises visitors on walks and cycling routes in Noordwijkerhout.

When deciding on your trip, you can weigh up seasonal events, local history, recreation by the water, and routes through the landscape. Visiting hours and event dates are especially important if a seasonal event or a visit to the Witte Kerk is a deciding factor in your plans.

Discover more destinations: De Zilk.

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