Surroundings of West Friesland: this is all there is to do

Bed and Breakfast De Zuiderstolp offers the best of both worlds. You will find plenty of calmness, space and greenery surrounding the b&b. At the same time, the area offers plenty of fun and entertainment. In a radius of 30 minutes by car you are on the beaches along the North Sea. Alkmaar, Haarlem, Enkhuizen, Medemblik, Zaanse Schans and Edam-Volendam can all be reached within half an hour and Amsterdam is only a 40-minute drive away.

The West Frisian area has a lot to offer: walking & cycling, playing golf, cities that are worth a visit, museums, and fun trips when visiting us with children.

Below you will find our favorites. And during your stay of course we are more than happy to tell you which other fun things there are to do around Zuidermeer.

Walking and cycling

De Koggenroute

The area around the b&b is very nice to explore on foot or by bike. For example, right behind the farm, De Koggenroute, a popular walking and cycling path.

If you like variety, De Koggenroute will not let you down. The route includes the old land of West Friesland plus the area of the Beemster, one of the Dutch reclaimed land that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

West-Friese Omringdijk

The Westfriese Omringdijk is a 126 km long dike, which surrounds the historic region of West Friesland. The Omringdijk runs through the cities of Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Alkmaar, Schagen, Medemblik and Enkhuizen again.

The 440 km long LF-Zuiderzee route around the IJsselmeer runs partly over the West Frisian Omringdijk and takes you through the VOC towns of Hoorn and Enkhuizen and the picturesque Medemblik.

Recreatieschap West-Friesland

West Friesland has an extensive cycling route network. You cycle from junction to junction by following the numbers of the ANWB signs to various junctions. At the junctions there is an information panel with the cycle route network in Noord-Kennemerland and West-Friesland.

Ideal: with the bicycle route planner you can map out a route yourself. Cycle a themed tour or discover the traces left over from the Golden Age.

Nice cities to visit

Hoorn

The old port city of Hoorn is located on the IJsselmeer. Enjoy the historic locations and buildings and the conviviality here. Hoorn is a nice city for shopping or eating out.

Alkmaar

Alkmaar is mainly known as Netherlands city of cheese. But the beautiful old town also has many national monuments. From April to September there is a traditional cheese market every Friday morning. We can highly recommend a visit.

Medemblik

Medemblik is the oldest city in West Friesland. It is the place where land and water meet. Past and present are inextricably linked. Enjoy the watery environment. Take a walking or cycling trip, rent a boat and enjoy the museums and restaurants.

Enkhuizen

Enkhuizen attracts many visitors every year. Visit the historic buildings and monuments, the harbor and enjoy the water sports facilities. The biggest attractions of Enkhuizen are the Zuiderzee Museum, Sprookjeswonderland (Fairytale Wonderland) and the ports.

Museums

Museum Stoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik-Enkhuizen

Museum Stoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik is a historic steam tram service. The journey through time already begins in the station building in Hoorn. The nostalgic steam tram runs from Hoorn to Medemblik. You can then return with the steam tram. Or you can continue your journey with the museum ship "Friesland", which takes you across the IJsselmeer to Enkhuizen.

Westfries museum in Hoorn

The Westfries Museum in Hoorn is the museum about the Golden (seventeenth) Century. The permanent collection sheds light on, among other things, the history of the VOC. The museum is located in the atmospheric and monumental Statencollege from 1632. As a visitor you step right into the Golden Age.

Museum van de Twintigste Eeuw ( Museum of the Twentieth Century) in Hoorn

This museum uses objects and interiors to tell what life was like in the last century. How did our (grand)parents live? What toys did children play with? What kind of shops were there? How was it cooked? What did people do in their free time? You will get answers to these kinds of questions in this nostalgic museum.

Zuiderzeemuseum in Enkhuizen

The Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen tells the story of people who used to live on the Zuiderzee, the current IJsselmeer and Markermeer. Experience how people used to live around, with and from the Zuiderzee. A visit starts with a boat trip to the outdoor museum. Here you can admire the houses, streets and harbor of the past. Bakery museum “the old bakery” Medemblik Your mouth will no doubt start watering during a visit to the bakery museum. Biscuit, marzipan and chocolate demonstrations take place here every day. Adults and children are actively involved in the demonstrations and there is always a free fun children's activity.

Het Hollands Kaasmuseum (Dutch Cheese Museum) in Alkmaar

The historic Waaggebouw dating from 1390 is located on the Waagplein, right in the center of Alkmaar. In 1576, the building was given a function as Waaggebouw.

Nationaal Biermuseum “de Boom” in Alkmaar

The museum is located in the historic building of the former De Boom brewery, close to Alkmaar's famous cheese market. You can go here for exhibitions, guided tours and tastings.

Stedelijk (Municipal) Museum Alkmaar

Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands. You will find a beautiful collection of old and modern art, crafts and city history. And during the school holidays there are fun workshops for children.

Bakery museum “the old bakery” Medemblik

Your mouth will no doubt start watering during a visit to the bakery museum. Biscuit, marzipan and chocolate demonstrations take place here every day. Adults and children are actively involved in the demonstrations and there is always a free fun children's activity.

Museum BroekerVeiling

At the BroekerVeiling you take a seat on the authentic auction bench at the oldest auction in the world. The auctioneer, sells and calls 100, 90, 80, 70... Every few seconds the price goes down. If you press too fast, you pay much too high a price. But if you're too slow, the vegetables are bought by someone else! This way of auctioning originated in Museum BroekerVeiling and it is still the same at all major auctions today.

Kasteel Radboud in Medemblik

Medemblik Castle or Radboud is located on the east side of the harbor of Medemblik. The castle dates from 1288.

Medemblik Castle is one of the many castles in the province of North Holland, which were built partly on behalf of Floris V.

All kinds of activities are organized at the castle.

Nederlands Stoommachinemuseum (Dutch Steam Engine Museum)

The Nederlands Stoommachinemuseum honors the history of the steam pumping station “Vier Noorder Koggen” and the development and significance of steam engines. The original pumps and a large number of beautiful machines give a beautiful image of the era.

There is a special "Steam Lab" for children.

Fun activities with children

Natuurspeeltuin in het Kreekbos in Wognum (Nature playground)

Only a 10-minute bike ride from the bed and breakfast takes you to the Kreekbos. Here you will find a nature playground where children can play outside.

There is also a water pump, slide and climbing course.

Children can play, discover and get dirty here!

Sprookjeswonderland (Fairytale Wonderland) in Enkhuizen

Sprookjeswonderland is a theme park in Enkhuizen, which is entirely devoted to fairy tales.
Various fairy tales are depicted in the park by means of dolls and gnome houses. There are also several fairytale attractions and playgrounds.
You will also find a petting zoo and beautiful ornamental gardens.

Speelpark de Batavier (amusement park) in Alkmaar

Speelpark de Batavier is a place where children can fully play, climb and frolic. Children can have fun with many different attractions.

There is a terrace and restaurant. After the games, the snacks and the drinks, you can play a round on the mini golf course with the whole family.

Hoornse zwembaden (swimming pools) The Hoornse zwembaden are 2 water paradises where you can actively exercise, move and relax. From swimming laps in the competition pool, to water fun for all ages in the recreational pool of De Waterhoorn. A mix of relaxation and fun with fountains, white water creek, white water river and a cool 72 meter slide.

Speelpark de Swaan nabij Alkmaar (Play park near Alkmar)

The Swaan is located near the recreation area Geestmerambacht. It is a large play park with 5 playgrounds and the Liedjesland for the little ones.

Children can slide, swing and romp. And there are inflatables and a large water cushion. In short, plenty of outdoor fun!

You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks into this park if you wish. There are picnic benches everywhere.

Attractiepark de Goudvis in St. Maartenszee (theme park)

Attractiepark de Goudvis has 3 indoor play paradises. Children can explore via the slides to one of the five ball pits, snake stairs or cable car.
For the little ones from 0 to 4 years there is a special soft play corner with various soft play attributes.

The old Dutch outdoor playground is spacious. There is a lot of play equipment, including a large sandbox with climbing tower, trampolines, ziplines, swings, air cushions and a climbing pirate ship.

When the weather is nice, you can take a trip on the pedal boats or go-karts.

Landgoed Hoenderdaell (Hoenderdaell estate)

Hoenderdaell Zoo introduces visitors to all kinds of animals – some of which roam freely throughout the park.

The natural living environment is imitated here as closely as possible. The animal enclosures are located in a vast nature reserve in Anna Paulowna.

Hoenderdaell Zoo regularly takes care of animals in need and strives to return them to nature. That is why there are always other animals to admire. From lions, brown bears, ring-tailed lemurs, lories to jumping wallabies.

Hoornse zwembaden (swimming pools)

The Hoornse zwembaden are 2 water paradises where you can actively exercise, move and relax. From swimming laps in the competition pool, to water fun for all ages in the recreational pool of De Waterhoorn.

A mix of relaxation and fun with fountains, white water creek, white water river and a cool 72 meter slide.

Vlindertuin Vlindorado (Butterfly Garden)

The tropical butterfly garden Vlindorado is located between Alkmaar and Schagen. One of the largest indoor butterfly gardens in Europe.
The temperature and the beautiful flora and fauna that you see around you make it seem like you are in the tropics.

More than 1000 beautifully colored butterflies live here. Besides butterflies you will find waterfalls, ponds and koi carp.

For the children there is a fun treasure hunt through the butterfly garden. And if you're lucky, you'll even see a butterfly being born.

Other activities

Golf

There are various possibilities for playing golf in the area. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the Spierdijk courses and the West Frisian golf course.