Area

Happiness = unwind in the Achterhoek

For more detailed information see under Links.

Anyone who approaches the historic Hanse town of Zutphen from the west will be impressed by its beautiful position near the water. The river IJssel, the white merchant houses on the quay and the striking towers have for centuries inspired painters and have impressed photographers and visitors.

Zutphen has had city rights since 1190 A.D. Around the old town you can see and touch old fortifications in various places. The heart of the city has an elongated market and in the side streets you will find quiet courts and almshouses. Amidst the medieval beauty a modern city flourishes with a large number of sites, museums, galleries and extensive catering possibilities together with shops and specialty stores. It is good to linger on the terraces in the city and on the river IJssel.

Exploring Zutphen is not difficult, because the city is not very big. The Tourist Office at Houtmarkt 75 (www.inzutphen.nl) has a lot of information and organises guided tours at 1.30 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays. And from the windows of the B&B Berkeltuin you can see the small (“Whisper”) boats. They leave from Rijkenhage and make a boat trip of about an hour on the river Berkel, Main Canal and the Grand Canal. The skipper will tell about the history of the Hanse town of Zutphen and its numerous historical monuments in his own unique way.

In Zutphen various events take place from April to October, such as Zutphen Loungt, a flea market, The King’s birthday celebrations, the IJssel Festival, a regional market, summer festivals, the Hanse city run, a cycle cace, a cello festival, Art on the IJssel, the annual fairs, the Chocolate Festival, the national heritage days and the National Bockbeer days and its historical parade.

From the B & B Berkeltuin on the outskirts of the town, you can quickly reach its centre, but also be away from it all. On the other side of the river many walkers go hiking. Within 5 minutes you yourself may walk along the meandering river Berkel in the direction of Warnsveld, Almen or Lochem. And two of the various country mansions of Achterhoek are at a 2.5 km distance from our house. These are Huis De Voorst en Huis ’t Velde.

While cycling the Veluwe, the IJssel Valley and the Achterhoek can be explored. We have cycle maps available for you. And with your smartphone and Abel Life you can download your routes.

With our lightweight double open canoe you can reach a fair distance on the Berkel. Other canoes or kajaks are available for rent in the downtown area.

There are galleries and museums in Zutphen, in Gorssel (Museum More 8 km), Apeldoorn (Het Loo Palace and the Coda museum 20 km), Arnhem (the open air museum 30 km) Winterswijk (Villa Mondriaan 45 km) and on the Veluwe (the Kröller-Müller museum 40 km).

In Bronsbergen (4 km) and in Bussloo (13 km) you can find wellness centres.