Along the Meije

Nieuwkoop is located in the polder and is a peat-fened lake area that originated in the 16th century. It covers a small part of the Nieuwkoopse Plassen nature reserve. The lakes are often used for water recreation, with a large marina nearby, you will mainly see cabin boats in this area. The water is quite pure and has strong plant growth. Water gentian and water lily, but also drifts of water hemlock and fields of crabgrass are no exception. A wide diversity of marsh birds lives in and around the banks and meadows. The increasingly rare black tern, but also the great and little reed warbler and the mustache like to breed here. Fish eaters such as the purple heron and the cormorant survive on what the lakes have to offer them. The small, winding peat river the Mije leads through the polder and the meadow area and adds extra atmosphere to the area, where many centuries-old, characteristic farms can still be seen. The route, which is offered to you by the South Holland Tourism Board, starts at the Tourist Transfer Point (TOP) in Nieuwkoop. You can also get more information about the history of the area and the flora and fauna present at VVV Nieuwkoop. The Westveense Mill is located near the small village of Woerdense Verlaat. The mill was built in 1676 and operated exclusively on wind power until 1975. The mill underwent a large-scale and radical restoration in 2009 and 2010: the lower tower was straightened, the shaft was repaired, the wall plate and the kingpin were sharpened, the paddle wheel and the wheel well were deepened and narrowed and many other parts were replaced, including three catches, the cross arm of the water wheel, two jibs, braces, steps and stringers. The restored seesaw mill still drains the Westveen polder on a voluntary basis and can usually be visited on Saturdays. Mill Morgenster, located on the other side of Nieuwkoop in the village of Aarlanderveen, is a completely different type of mill. This octagonal mill from 1870 ground grains until 1945, but has fallen into disrepair since then. A committee set up prevented the mill from being demolished and had the mill restored. The mill now serves as a home.