Eelde country estates

Directions

• The village of Eelde is mentioned in a declaration as early as 1139 and Paterswolde gets a mention in 1447. Paterswolde is in the most northerly point of Drenthe. A small part of the village, along the Meerweg, is situated in the province of Groningen. Paterswolde fused with Eelde after the Second World War. The village is best-known for the Paterswoldsemeer, which is in fact called the Paterswoldermeer on topographical maps. The area is popular with ‘stadjers’ (the name for the inhabitants of the city of Groningen) because it is close to the city of Groningen, has all the allure of a park, and also because of the recreational areas around the lake and the Friesche Veen. The country estates De Braak and Vennebroek are also popular with visitors.
• From the car park, follow the walking route along the Hoofdweg in a northerly direction. This takes you into the rural area of Paterswolde in no time and affords a view of country estate De Braak and the monumental park. The park was designed in Landscape style by garden architect Roodbaard in the 19th century, and has characteristic winding lanes, vistas and sight lines and elegant ponds. De Braak will delight you with its maze and arbour from birch trees with intertwined crowns.
• Your walk continues along the Meerweg, in between the Friesche Veen and the Paterswoldsemeer. The Friesche Veen is an area with a marsh forest, water and reedlands. It developed after peat extraction during the first half of the 19th century. This natural landscape is part of country estate Vennebroek. This estate also boasts a beautiful manor house. The current building dates back to 1848. The pond is surrounded by old birch trees and chestnut trees. The oldest tree is more than 300 years old and has a trunk circumference of almost 5 metres.
• After country estate Vennebroek, the route leads you along the edge of Paterswolde village and the rural areas, towards Eelde, with country estate Lemferdinge visible in the distance. It is not clear exactly when the Lemferdinge estate was established. It is mentioned in documents as early as 1447. The site used to accommodate a large country house with moats and two cattle sheds, but nowadays the country estate houses a cattle shed and gardens.
• Just along the way is country estate De Duinen. The sand drifts on the estate formed during the last Ice Age. One remarkable feature behind the De Duinen house is the pond in the shape of a fish.
• After country estate De Duinen, the route takes you to Vosbergen. This villa and estate were established around 1900. Husband and wife Kraus-Groeneveld purchased a farm and some woodland in 1890. The current park has been designed in the English Landscape style.
• The estates alternate in quick succession during this walk. You are passing manor house Oosterbroek and Hooghullen house. In the 15th century, Oosterbroek originally occupied a spot on the Borgstee grounds, to the east of its current spot, but little is known about the earlier building. The current house is situated in a different place and dates back to 1830, with alterations made in 1924. Hooghullen was built in 1870 and was bought in 1891 by the Vereniging tot Bevordering van het Herstel van Drankzuchtigen (Union for Furtherance of the Recovery of Alcoholics). During the Second World War, Oosterbroek and Hooghullen became a German army camp for Fliegerhorst Eelde.
• The following kilometres on the route will delight you with their view of the Eelde countryside. On the edge of Eelde are the Waterburcht and manor house Terborch. The Waterburcht is a remnant of a medieval motte-and-bailey castle, surrounded by three moats and a manor house. The castle was destroyed in 1266, but it is not known if it was rebuilt afterwards. A motte-and-bailey castle consist of a rather steep hill of about 5 metres, with a wooden or stone tower on top. These types of castles were constructed from the 11th to the 13th century as a powerbase for local rulers. The best-known motte-and-bailey castle in Drenthe is Coevorden castle. Manor house Terborch was built on the site in the 17th century, and demolished in 1801.
• In Eelde, the route leads you past the Onze Lieve Vrouwe- en Sint Gangulphus church. The current gothic church dates back to the 14th century and sits in a spot where its tufa stone predecessor also stood. Some interesting details include the paintings on the vaulted ceiling and the gravestones, the oldest from 1545 for the Sigers family. Beside the church is the Nijsinghhuis, a 17th century building that served as courthouse, police headquarters and Town Hall.
• Winding your way through Eelde and Paterswolde, you end your walk where you started. The ‘Landgoederen Eelde’ walking route finishes here. Recharge your batteries in a local cafe or restaurant to reflect on this amazing walk.