Woumen, Merkem and Jonkershove

The Blankaart nature reserve is a recognized nature reserve that was established in 1959. The largest part is located in Woumen, a smaller part in Merkem. The natural environment mainly consists of a beautiful low moor swamp with reed beds, beautiful wetland forests and vast polder grasslands. The reserve is an Eldorado for many (water) bird species, such as the cormorant, the gray heron and the marsh harrier. The area is located around the Blankaart castle of the same name. The castle has a beautiful park and a pond that was created in a natural way by peat extraction. With approximately 1300 inhabitants and an area of 14 square kilometers, Woumen is one of the larger villages in the area. Although the village is known for its nature reserve, Woumen has much more to offer. In the center is the beautiful Saint Andrew's Church, which was completely restored and restored after a heavy fire in the 1980s.