Mighty Mills Tour
On this bicycle tour we will visit several mills and a beautiful castle estate with lovely gardens. After we leave urban Enschede behind, our first stop is a 19th century windmill near the tiny village of Usselo. This is probably the only windmill in the Netherlands that was teared down, moved to another location and reassembled at the original location after a couple of years. From Usselo we will move on to Boekelo, famous for the mysterious green salt houses dotted all around the rural area. An authentic wooden salt tower is located in the center of the small town of Boekelo.
After Boekelo we hit the peddle and cycle along farms, meadows and heathland to the 17th century watermill in the township of Oele. From there it is only a short hop to Delden, the main destination on this tour. Delden gained city rights in 1333, but never grew really big. Today there is a population of less than 8,000. We will visit the scenic center with historic buildings and gabled houses before we go to the Twickel estate. If you take this bicycle tour on Wednesday or Saturday, we will also stop by at the historical lumber sawmill which has been in use from 1771 to 1975.
The Twickel estate is over 650 years old and know for its natural beauty and impressive castle which is still inhabited by a count related to the successive family which owned the estate for centuries. Depending on the opening hours and your own interests, we will visit the historical farm Wendezoele, have a look at the kitchen garden and estate shop or talk a walk in the castle gardens. The castle itself is closed to the public. Then it's time to visit the Noordmolen watermill and the nearby Möllinkwoner cheese farm. After exploring the amazing estate and its surroundings, it's time to head back to Enschede while enjoying Twente's lush country side.
During the tour we'll have several stops to enjoy the stunning landscape, tell you about the past, present and future and there are plenty of awesome photo opportunities.
Depending on the day of the tour the mills may be operating. Many mills in the Netherlands are monuments often run by volunteers, therefore not all of them are operative and accessible every day of the week. Since Annie's Bicycle Tours are carried out in small groups, we will consult our participants and make a plan of the places you wish to visit and which ones to possible skip. This is also the reason why entrance fees are not included in the bicycle tours.
Saturday
Sunday
Wednesday
Practical Information
tour dates: every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
tour season: from mid April to late September
time of departure: 10 am
meeting point: Enschede Central Station's main hall
maximum number of participants: 6 (no minimum required)
distance: 40km (about 25 miles)
duration: about 9 hours
terrain: mainly paved roads, very flat
difficulty: all tours are leisurely and relaxed paced
language: English or Dutch
price €39,50 per person includes:
- well-maintained three-speed bicycle
- enthusiastic local tour guide
- visits to the villages of Usselo, Boekelo, Delden and Oele
- a fun and unbeatable cycling experience
entrance fees are not included in the price of the bicycle tour
- lumber sawmill €1.50
- Wendezoele farm €3.00
- castle gardens €6.00
the other sights are free of charge
