Lochum, Landscape Graafschap and Ruurlo

A picturesque, idyllic landscape emerges between Ruurlo and Lochum: De Graafschap National Landscape. It is a beautiful small-scale landscape characterized by fairytale vistas in a semi-open area. The interplay of hedgerows, hedges, farms, fields and streams gives the area something exciting. The scenic landscape also has many estates and castles that are typical of the area. At the starting point of the route you can park your car for free and buy something to satisfy your hunger along the way. Attentive SidB Frank Bannink in Barchem has everything you could wish for on a bike tour; from handy bottled drinks to delicious fresh fruit. You cycle via Lochum through the De Graafschap National Landscape until you reach Pinetum de Belten. In 1961, the current park was started by collecting conifers. Initiator Mr Feith was looking for trees that would benefit his dry soil. He came across a large number of different conifers. He delved further into these trees and gradually developed an immense collection of thousands of different types of conifers, brought together on the Belten estate. The number of different conifers is the largest collection in private hands in the world, it can be called a true living museum! One of the most special places in the area is the Ruurlo castle and estate. The country estate was mentioned as early as 1326 and has been in the hands of the Dutch noble Van Heeckeren family since the fifteenth century. The building consists of many different architectural styles because the castle has been almost constantly built over the years and centuries. For example, part of a medieval wall still exists in the basement and almost the entire left side of the castle was built in the sixteenth century. The tower at the back was added a century later. One wall in this tower was fitted with new gables in the nineteenth century. For a long time the castle was the location for the television series 'de Zevensprong'. Nowadays the castle is regularly used as a wedding location. Ruurlo also has a tower mill from 1851: Agneta. The mill was used as a peeling, oil and flour mill and was named after Freule Johanna Mauritia Agneta van Heeckeren van Kell. This name is displayed at the top of the hull of the mill as usual. In 1917 the mill was converted into a saw and flour mill. Sawing is still done in the mill (electrically). Agneta has been restored three times over the years in 1975, 1985 and 1994, and the mill still runs quite often. When you return to Attent SidB Frank Bannink, don't forget to buy ingredients for a delicious meal here. This way you can prepare a delicious dinner in your own kitchen and serve it at your own cozy dining table. Now that's a relaxing way to end your day!