Colonies of Benevolence

A short distance from Bed & Wijn at De Kasteelhoeve in IJhorst lies a unique piece of Dutch history: the Colonies of Benevolence, UNESCO World Heritage since 2021. Anyone interested in history who enjoys walking or cycling through an unusual landscape experiences a fascinating day out here. The rectilinear colonial landscape, the characteristic cottages and the museums together tell a moving story of poverty relief and idealism.

A nineteenth-century social experiment

In the early nineteenth century the Society of Benevolence, founded in 1818 by general Johannes van den Bosch, established agricultural colonies here to combat poverty. Poor families from the cities were given a cottage and a plot of land to build a new existence. The straight street pattern, the characteristic colony cottages and the long, dead-straight lanes still tell that idealistic story of self-reliance, labour and education — a social experiment that has scarcely any equal in Europe.

From Frederiksoord to Veenhuizen

In the free colonies around Frederiksoord and Wilhelminaoord you walk or cycle past the historic buildings, the Sterrebos and the old trial gardens. Here families chose voluntarily for a new existence. In Veenhuizen, with its imposing institutions, you discover the stricter, unfree face of the colonies, where beggars and orphans were housed under strict supervision. In the visitor centres and museums, including the Prison Museum in Veenhuizen, you learn all about this large-scale experiment and the people who lived there.

The Ommerschans nearby

The Ommerschans, closer to IJhorst, was also part of this system of colonies. A walk along the traces of this former fortification shows how far the influence of the Society of Benevolence reached — right up to near the farmstead. It is a fine, quiet excursion that brings the story of the colonies close to home.

Walking and cycling through the colonial landscape

The beauty of the colonies is that you experience the history while walking or cycling. Long, dead-straight lanes, stately rows of trees and open fields define the scene, with the characteristic colony cottages along the way. Signposted routes have been laid out that lead past the most important spots, so you discover the story step by step while enjoying the peace and space of the Drenthe landscape.

A day for young and old

The combination of outdoor routes and interactive museums makes the colonies an outing that both adults and children get something out of. While one delves into the history, the other discovers through play what life in the colonies was like. In less fine weather the museums offer a fine alternative to the outdoor routes.

History in the landscape

What is special about the colonies is that the history is still abundantly visible in the landscape itself. A day of roaming around combines culture, nature and peace, and connects well with other destinations nearby. There are plenty of other destinations to explore along the way.

Back to the farmstead

After a day full of history and fresh air you return to your suite at Bed & Wijn in the Reest valley. Take a look at the available dates and close the day with a good glass of wine.