Round Kethel and Ackerdijk

This cycle route starts at TOP Schiedam.

Schiedam is a city with a rich history. Originated as a settlement in the 13th century by the construction of a dam near the mouth of the Schie to protect the polder land against the sea. The port area is part of Wereldhaven Rotterdam.

Schiedam is best known for its jenever, the historic city center with harbors, and the tallest windmills in the world.
The city is also closely connected to the peat meadow area of Midden-Delfland through the Poldervaart, constructed to drain the area. The interesting walking and cycling routes allow you to discover the historic city and the surrounding countryside.

Tip 1. Beatrix Park
The Beatrixpark, located on the Middeleeuwse Poldervaart, is a large city park of 20 km2 that extends from the center of Schiedam to the peat meadow area of Midden-Delfland. This park has a botanical garden, a petting zoo and Fort Drakensteijn, a special playground that is also suitable for children with disabilities.

Tip 2. Jenever Museum
In the city center of Schiedam, the signs from the heyday (18th century) of the jenever industry can still be clearly seen: mills, distilleries and warehouses along the Lange Haven. The mills ground malted grain for the burners, which distilled malt wine for the jenever industry. The waste product (rinse) of the jenever distillate has been transported for centuries to the farms in the polders around the city to be used as animal feed.
More information: Jenevermuseum Address: De Lange Haven 74-76, Schiedam. Internet: www.jenevermuseum.nl

Tip 3. Villages Kethel and Kerkbuurt
The former villages of Kethel and Kerkbuurt have now been swallowed up by the city, but the rural character has largely been preserved. The old core of Kethel is located around the village church from the 13th century and has the status of a protected village view. In Kethelpark there are various nature educational facilities, including the Groene Raat with model gardens and De Boshoek with dioramas with different animals. Address De Groene Raat: Harreweg 19, Schiedam Address De Boshoek: Bospad 3, Schiedam. Internet: www.natuurcentrumdeboshoek.nl

Tip 4. Boerenlandpad Midden-Delfland
Midden-Delfland is a classic open peat meadow area with monumental farms and villages with ribbon development. You can picnic there and for children there is the play polder along the Harreweg. There is a farmland path at Woudweg 24. Outside the breeding season (15/03-15/06) you can walk through the open meadow area. Along the way you can see meadow birds scratching along the ditches and you may encounter the sheep herd of the agricultural nature association Vockestaert along the southern edge.
Internet: www.vockestaert.nl

For more information about this TOP