Warffum, Roodeschool and Uithuizen

Picturesque villages, mounds and a beautiful polder landscape. This region in the north of Groningen is sparsely populated, so you can cycle here in peace and quiet between the grassy meadows. The village of Warffum is a protected village view and with a height of six meters it 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 located on the hill. This church was raised with bricks 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 bike ride 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 section added to it, so that the building had a beautiful open U-shape. In 1682, the manor came into the possession of the Alberda van Menkema family, who renovated the manor for the second time around 1700. After the death of the last resident in 1902, the manor became empty. In 1921, the manor was donated to the Groninger Museum. Then you visit the small village of Usquert. This is a typical example of a terp village. With approximately 1300 inhabitants, it is the northernmost terp on the eastern bank of the Fivelboezem. Don't forget to admire the former town hall of Usquert, which was built in 1930 by the famous architect Berlage. The town hall has a tower with two clocks in it, which turned out to be less beautiful than expected during construction. The architect then decided to make the tower a bit higher than planned, but the municipality of Usquert did not want to contribute to this. Berlage paid for the adjustment himself. Usquert is also home to the Eva mill. This corn and hulling mill was built in 1818 and was first located in Bedum together with another mill called Adam, where both mills functioned as polder mills. The 'couple' had a hard time and were eventually separated. Adam moved to Delfzijl and can still be visited there. Eva burned down at its current location in 1890, but was rebuilt in 1891 on the base of the first mill. After the tower mill fell into disuse around 1950, there have been three restorations. The mill is opened by volunteer millers on Saturdays.