Herring and hemp cycle route
The Herring and Hemp cycle route takes you along the historical sights of the former Schermer Island. The route tells you about the struggle against the water, the rich seafaring past and the reclamation of the Beemster and Schermer.
Start the route at the Toerisch Overstappunt near the Schermer windmills and explore the Eilandspolder. Cycle through villages such as De Rijp, Spijkerboor, West-Graftdijk and Driehuizen and enjoy the vast landscape. Along the way, you will get a good idea of the past and discover how people worked, lived, diked and reclaimed here centuries ago. Along the route you will find several text and image panels providing further information.
You will also find small exhibitions - usually accompanied by an attractive audiovisual presentation - at various locations in special monuments such as the Grote Kerk of Schermerhorn, the Noordeinder Vermaning and in De Rijp: Het Walhuis, the Waag (Town Hall), Reformed Church and Museum In 't Houten Huis.
Important information:
- The route starts at the T...
Start the route at the Toerisch Overstappunt near the Schermer windmills and explore the Eilandspolder. Cycle through villages such as De Rijp, Spijkerboor, West-Graftdijk and Driehuizen and enjoy the vast landscape. Along the way, you will get a good idea of the past and discover how people worked, lived, diked and reclaimed here centuries ago. Along the route you will find several text and image panels providing further information.
You will also find small exhibitions - usually accompanied by an attractive audiovisual presentation - at various locations in special monuments such as the Grote Kerk of Schermerhorn, the Noordeinder Vermaning and in De Rijp: Het Walhuis, the Waag (Town Hall), Reformed Church and Museum In 't Houten Huis.
Important information:
- The route starts at the Tourist Transfer Point near the Schermermolen mill, but as it is a round trip, it is possible to start the route at any point.
- See more information and great tips on the Land of Leeghwater page.
Take a closer look
You are going to see this
Starting point:
TOP Schermer windmillsNoordervaart 2
1636 VL Schermerhorn
Navigate to starting point
TOP Screen mills
TOPs, short for Tourist Transfer Points, offer a convenient start to your exploration of the rural area. Each TOP provides parking facilities, after which you can explore the area by bike, on foot or even by boat
Grote Kerk Schermerhorn
In the middle of the rural North Holland village of Schermerhorn stands the atmospheric Grote Kerk. Built in 1636 and completely renovated in 2017. This has made it an impressively beautiful location for any activity, where great memories and special impressions can be created.
Grote Kerk Schermerhorn
In the middle of the rural North Holland village of Schermerhorn stands the atmospheric Grote Kerk. Built in 1636 and completely renovated in 2017. This has made it an impressively beautiful location for any activity, where great memories and special impressions can be created.
Take a look inside the church and its history The Grote Kerk Schermerhorn dates back to 1636 and has many cultural-historical treasures. For example, have you seen the beautiful 17th-century stained-glass windows in the church? And there is so much more extraordinary cultural heritage to see. Take a look at the church and its history.
In addition, check out the agenda of the church's own cultural programme, but above all, get inspired to organise your own event in our church. Weddings, mourning, business meetings or cultural events: everything is possible. To make your activity possible, they are happy to think along with you. They work together with our 'purveyors' for tailor-made arrangements.
Museum Jan Boon
The Walhuis dates from 1725. Here you will find a small exhibition of records of Jan Boon, the last shipowner of De Rijp.
Museum Jan Boon
The Walhuis dates from 1725. Here you will find a small exhibition of records of Jan Boon, the last shipowner of De Rijp.
The Boon family was mainly involved in fishing, both whaling and herring fishing. After more than 100 years of vacancy, it was decided in 1983 to restore the former barn - the Walhuis (1725) - and give it a socio-cultural purpose. Here you will find an exhibition on the life and work of Jan Boon junior.
About Museum Jan Boon
Jan Boon's estate included not only various business assets, but also movable and immovable property that could be counted as private property of the Boon family. These items included documents of a personal nature, such as letters, a family bible, various household effects and a large collection of nautical maps by renowned Dutch cartographers. Some of the items were kept in the Society's premises and others in a barn (now the Walhuis) by the water. The condition of the items was, in many cases, downright poor. Stamps and parts of texts had been cut away, probably at the hands of the children of the various directors. Moreover, mould and mice and insects did not improve the condition of these documents. Documents were also given to third parties for inspection without any records.
After the foundation of the Rijper"Museum In 't Houten Huis" in 1937, it was decided to loan several pieces to the museum. Part of this collection is on permanent display there in the "living room" to this day.
Museum In 't Houten Huis
The museum offers a very varied collection about the history of De Rijp and the Schermer Island.
Museum In 't Houten Huis
The museum offers a very varied collection about the history of De Rijp and the Schermer Island.
The poor peat soil drove them onto the water. They were Sont sailors, herring fishermen and whalers. At home, ship owners, merchants, rope makers, coopers and other craftsmen earned their living from shipping. As an introduction to what you will see in the museum, you will see two short films in the audiovisual room. In these, Jan Adriaansz Leeghwater (born in De Rijp in 1575) plays an important role.
One film is about the development of the Schermer Island from the Middle Ages to the present day. The second film is about the battle against the water and about the reclamation works. In it, Jan Adriaansz Leeghwater (born in De Rijp in 1575) plays an important role. The museum has a lot to offer. For instance, the themes of herring fishing, whaling and seafaring are highlighted using old sea charts, journals, prints, ship parts, models of herring pipes, whale bones and baleen objects. A kayak brought back from Greenland by Rijper whalers is a masterpiece of the collection. There are small audiovisual presentations about this kayak, seafaring, and herring fishing.
De Rijp town hall
In the historic centre of De Rijp stands the centuries-old Town Hall of De Rijp. This beautiful building was designed by Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater in 1630.
De Rijp town hall
In the historic centre of De Rijp stands the centuries-old Town Hall of De Rijp. This beautiful building was designed by Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater in 1630.
Despite the fire in January 1654, the building has been beautifully preserved. Fortunately for us, because this still allows us to enjoy it to this day.
In the Council House, there are many other beautiful things to see. For example, on the ground floor you will find a weighing facility, also known as De Waag. This is where cattle and agricultural and industrial products used to be weighed. How cool is that! Besides The Weigh House, there is much more to see in the Town Hall. Think for instance of an original 17th-century fire hose by Jan van der Heijden, portrait of Jan Boon (richest shipowner in De Rijp), portrait of Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater and more.
De Rijp 's VVV is currently located in the Town Hall and is a popular wedding, meeting and presentation venue. The ground floor is freely accessible. A guided tour of the entire building requires an appointment.
Fort near Spijkerboor
The fort near Spijkerboor was the main fort in the northern front of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. From here, the highly strategic dykes around the Beemsterringvaart and the North Holland Canal were defended.
Fort near Spijkerboor
The fort near Spijkerboor was the main fort in the northern front of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. From here, the highly strategic dykes around the Beemsterringvaart and the North Holland Canal were defended.
The Fort near Spijkerboor was therefore equipped with the heaviest artillery of any fort in this part of the front. At the front, a rotating armoured turret was even fitted with two pieces of artillery of 10.5-centimetre calibre with a range of no less than ten kilometres. This turret and artillery are still present and can also be visited.
The two-storey fort building was used as a prison several times after the First World War. The bars in front of the windows and the interior murals date from those periods.
In 2026, the fort will reopen its doors for viewing! On these days, you can join guided tours, or set off on your own via a marked walking route.
Town hall in Grootschermer
Grootschermer is proud of its old Town Hall and would like to give interested parties the opportunity to view the building from the inside. You will also find small-scale exhibitions about the village and its surroundings.
Town hall in Grootschermer
Grootschermer is proud of its old Town Hall and would like to give interested parties the opportunity to view the building from the inside. You will also find small-scale exhibitions about the village and its surroundings.
From 1 May to 30 September, the Council House is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5pm. The Raadhuis is also available as a meeting and wedding location. Grootschermer Town Hall is the perfect meeting location for your company or organisation. The tranquillity of the rural area, combined with the historic appearance of the Council Chamber in the magnificent National Monument, create the optimal ambience for a successful meeting.
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