Along the Meije

Nieuwkoop lies in the polder and is a peat-covered lake area that developed from the 16th century onwards. It covers a small part of the Nieuwkoopse Plassen nature reserve. The lakes are frequently used for water recreation; with a large marina nearby, you'll mainly see cabin cruisers in this area. The water is quite clean and boasts a thriving vegetation. Water gentian and water lily, as well as floating ponds of water hemlock and patches of water soldier, are common. A wide variety of marsh birds live in and around the banks and meadows. The increasingly rare black tern, as well as the great reed warbler, the reed warbler, and the whiskered warbler, enjoy breeding here. Fish-eaters such as the purple heron and the cormorant survive on the lakes' resources. The small, meandering peat river, the Mije, flows through the polder and the meadows, adding to the charm of the area, where many centuries-old, characteristic farms can still be seen. The route, offered by the South Holland Bureau for Tourism, starts at the Tourist Transfer Point (TOP) in Nieuwkoop. You can also get more information about the history of the area and the local flora and fauna at the Nieuwkoop Tourist Information Office. Near the small village of Woerdense Verlaat stands the Westveense Molen (Westveen Windmill). Built in 1676, it operated exclusively on wind power until 1975. In 2009 and 2010, the mill underwent a major and extensive restoration: the lower tower was straightened, the shaft was repaired, the wall plate and the king pin were re-sharpened, the scoop wheel and wheel well were deepened and narrowed, and many other components were replaced, including three catches, the water wheel's crossarm, two jibs, braces, steps, and stringers. The restored hollow post mill still drains the Westveense polder on a voluntary basis and can generally be visited on Saturdays. Morgenster Mill, located on the other side of Nieuwkoop in the village of Aarlanderveen, is a very different kind of mill. This octagonal smock mill, dating from 1870, ground grain until 1945, but fell into disrepair after that. A committee formed to prevent its demolition and had it restored. The mill now serves as a residence.