Staphorst

A stone's throw from Bed & Wijn lies Staphorst, a village that has carefully preserved its own character through the centuries. Anyone who visits this special village from IJhorst seems to step back in time. The municipality has a strikingly large number of monumental buildings and is known throughout the Netherlands for its traditions, traditional dress and hospitality. It is precisely that combination of living heritage and a down-to-earth, warm-hearted population that makes a visit to Staphorst a surprising experience, right next to the calm of the Reest valley.

Monumental farmhouses and ribbon development

Along the Gemeenteweg and the Oude Rijksweg — together a ribbon of some twelve kilometres through Staphorst and Rouveen — beautiful historic farmhouses stand on either side. Many of them are still painted in the typical green-blue colours so characteristic of the region. A walk or cycle ride along this farmhouse ribbon is an experience in itself and shows how the countryside here has been inhabited and worked for generations. This elongated strip of buildings is unique in the Netherlands and gives the village its unmistakable face.

Staphorst Museum, traditional dress and dot painting

Nowhere does history come so close as in Staphorst Museum, housed in an authentic farmhouse. Here you see how people used to live and work, and you become acquainted with the famous Staphorst traditional dress and the fine dot painting with which fabrics and furniture were decorated by hand. It is a lively window onto a tradition that is still tangible in Staphorst today. Anyone who visits the village on a weekday will sometimes still see the traditional dress out on the street — a living tradition, not a museum piece.

Traditions that are still alive

What makes Staphorst so special is that many old customs here have not disappeared but are deliberately kept alive. The close-knit community, the rich club life and the carefully preserved crafts ensure that the village is more than a collection of pretty facades. It is a place with a soul, where past and present blend seamlessly and where hospitality is held in high regard.

Shopping, dining and enjoying

Staphorst is more than an open-air museum. The village has a thriving shopping area with a surprisingly varied range and ample, free parking — ideal for a relaxed afternoon of shopping. To satisfy the inner self there are numerous restaurants, cafés and lunchrooms, from fine cuisine to regional specialities. So you effortlessly combine culture and conviviality in a single day, without having to travel far.

Walking and cycling around Staphorst

Staphorst borders a varied countryside of forests, heathland and wide-open fields. The Staphorst forest district, which Bed & Wijn also borders, is ideal for a beautiful walk or a quiet cycle ride. That way you combine your cultural visit to the village with a dose of fresh air and nature, and see the Reest valley at its very best.

A village to remember

Whether you come for the culture, the shopping or simply a stroll through the characteristic streetscape: a visit to Staphorst is not one you will easily forget. Thanks to the short distance it is ideal for a few hours or a whole day. Combine it with a walk or cycle ride through the Reest valley, or extend your trip to nearby Meppel for even more conviviality.

Back to the farmstead

After a day full of impressions you return to your suite at Bed & Wijn, where you round off the day in style with a good glass of wine and the rural calm of the Reest valley around you. Plan your stay easily via our booking page and discover for yourself why Staphorst and its surroundings are so worthwhile.