Easy hikes and walks around Fochteloërveen

Nitrogen, climate change and drought are putting nature under pressure in the Fochteloërveen. A lot of peat was extracted and drained in the region. This caused the peat to subside, and the Fochteloërveen is now higher than the surrounding area. The factors described above cause rainwater, which normally collects in raised bogs, to drain away quickly. To retain water, dams made of peat, film, and wood have already been built in the past. These dams have led to a significant increase in peat moss and even to the creation of smaller areas with living raised bogs. Unfortunately, the dams are less sustainable than hoped and show leaks in many places, putting the recovering raised bogs under pressure again. Therefore, the dams are now being replaced by more sustainable sand dams. The new embankments consist of sand and clay. The sand comes from a nearby sand quarry and is pumped electrically via an underground pipeline to the storage site. The clay makes the new embankments watertight. The work is carried out in phases (see the different colours on the map). Where possible, old embankments are demolished and replaced by new ones made of sand and clay. The aim is to integrate the new embankments harmoniously into the landscape. They are covered with heather, which causes them to grow over faster. An ecologist monitors the work to protect plants and animals as much as possible. The contractor also only works outside the breeding season. Source: Texts on the signs

It is the director's residence of the prisons in Veenhuizen, built in 1859 on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior with the symmetrical layout of the driveway, the green planting (with 'overtuin', garden landscaping continuing on the other side of the canal) and two cast-iron lanterns from 1855 by Corn. Nolet, Schiedam. The building is popularly known as 'Klein Soestdijk'. See also: https://www.drentslandschap.nl/erfgoed/klein-soestdijk

The hotel (with restaurant) is the (former) health cluster from 1893. This is where the medical center of the Colony of Benevolence from the time of Johannes van den Bosch was formerly located. The complex from 1893 consisted of: * The old hospital (now our restaurant and atmospheric hotel rooms) * The pharmacy and the pharmacist's residence * The stately house of the physician Veenhuizen was a completely closed village until 1980. Only residents, staff, and inmates had access to this special enclave in the Drenthe landscape. This decades-long isolation has caused time to seem to have stood still here. See also: https://www.monumenten.nl/monument/478450

The power station was built in 1909, but after about twenty years it was only used as an emergency power station. At the beginning of this century, everything was restored and it is possible to attend a demonstration here. In the past, no less than 200 kilos of peat were burned here every hour to generate energy. The building was designed by architect W.C. Metzelaar, who designed more buildings in this village. The power station is a national monument and nowadays belongs to the Prison Museum. A club of enthusiastic volunteers will gladly tell you much more about this gem! See also: https://gevangenismuseum.nl/groepen/rondleiding-door-de-electriciteitscentrale/

The National Prison Museum has been located at its current site in Veenhuizen since 2005; the only remaining non-free institution of the Society of Benevolence, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021. The 1823 building is one of the few tangible reminders from the era of the Colonies of Benevolence in the village. In addition to permanent and temporary exhibitions, the Prison Museum offers engaging activities for young and old. From a visit to a notorious disciplinary prison, a ride through the village with the old Boevenbus (crooks' bus), to in-depth events and activities. See also: https://gevangenismuseum.nl/

The building was erected as a barracks for the Royal Marechaussee in 1886, commissioned by the Ministry of Justice. The design is by W.C. Metzelaar. Above the entrance door is a keystone with Metzelaar's initials and the years 1886 and 1902. The latter year presumably indicates internal modifications to the building as a barracks for infectious diseases. Some later renovations concern the interior and changes to the north side facade and the extension on the west rear facade. These interventions fall outside the protection.

Finally a decent lunch menu!

The electric conveyor belt and chutes on the Bonghaar were used as a central location in the Fochteloërveen to enable quay restoration