Warffum, Roodeschool and Uithuizen

Picturesque towns, mounds and a beautiful polder landscape. This region in the north of Groningen is sparsely populated, so you can enjoy cycling here in peace and quiet among the grassy meadows. The town of Warffum is a protected village sight and, with a height of six meters, is one of the highest mounds in the province. Warffum has a beautiful open-air museum (Het Hoogeland), where you can admire the smallest sawmill in the Netherlands, the David. The church of Warffum is on the hill. This church was raised with brick in the sixteenth century and the church was re-plastered in the nineteenth century. The international dance festival Op Roakeldais is held annually in Warffum in the last week of June. With all these special features and the friendly atmosphere, it is not surprising that this region attracts a large number of tourists. During your cycle tour you will also pass the Menkemaborg. The current Groningen castle was built around 1400. As the name suggests, this castle was owned by the Menkema family. In 1614, Osebrandt Clant, who was now the owner, renovated the rectangular building. He had a large part added to it, so that the building had a beautiful open U-shape. In 1682 the deposit came into the possession of the Alberda van Menkema family, who renovated the deposit for the second time around 1700. After the death of the last resident in 1902, the deposit became empty. In 1921 the deposit was donated to the Groninger Museum. Then you visit the small village of Usquert. This is a typical example of a mound village. With approximately 1300 inhabitants, it is the northernmost mound on the eastern bank of the Fivelboezem. Don't forget to admire the former town hall of Usquert, built in 1930 by the famous architect Berlage. The town hall has a tower with two bells in it, which turned out to be less beautiful than expected during construction. The architect then decided to make the tower a little higher than planned, but the municipality of Usquert did not want to contribute to this. Berlage paid for the adjustment himself. There is also the Eva mill in Usquert. This grist and peel mill was built in 1818 and was first located in Bedum together with another mill called Adam and both mills functioned there as polder mills. The'couple\\\' had a hard time and was eventually separated. Adam moved to Delfzijl and can still be viewed there. Eva burned down on its current site in 1890, but was rebuilt in 1891 on the base of the first mill. After the tower mill fell out of use around 1950, there were three restorations. The mill is opened by volunteer millers on Saturdays.