The Arenberghoeve is situated between the Scheldt, the harbour and the polders, and the region offers a unique blend of heritage, nature, agriculture and industry. Here you’ll find castles, forts, village centres, open countryside and views of one of Europe’s busiest harbours. This makes the region an ideal base for a day trip or a peaceful weekend in Waasland/Zeeland.
Cortewalle Castle and Hof ter Saksen
Cortewalle Castle is a 15th-century moated castle with a long history. The castle is set in a green park where you can take a peaceful stroll, have a picnic and enjoy the pond and avenues. The grounds are regularly used for cultural activities and are a lovely starting point for getting to know Beveren better.
Hof ter Saksen in Haasdonk is a castle estate featuring a park forest, arboretum, orchard and nature garden. For children, the play forest is a particular highlight, with natural play elements set amidst the greenery. Adults, on the other hand, appreciate the peaceful footpaths and the enclosed park landscape.
Fort Liefkenshoek on the Scheldt
Fort Liefkenshoek is situated on the Scheldt, close to the Waaslandhaven. This historic fort has been transformed into an interactive visitor centre where you can discover the history of the fort and the region through exhibitions and interactive elements. Outside, you can walk along the ramparts and enjoy the view of the river and the passing ships.
Doel and the harbour area
The village of Doel is a world of its own within Beveren. Here you’ll find street art, empty houses and, at the same time, a surprising view of the Scheldt region and the harbour. For those who enjoy photography or have an interest in urban planning and recent history, it’s a fascinating place. Combine a stroll through the village with an exploration of the surrounding polders.
Groot Saeftinghe Border Park and the Kieldrecht creeks
To the north of Beveren, the municipality borders the Groot Saeftinghe Border Park. This cross-border area between Flanders and Zeeland offers vast polders, salt marshes and dykes with views of the Scheldt and the harbour. Several walks start from Kieldrecht, including the Kieldrecht Creeks route, which takes you past creeks and open countryside.
Walking and cycling in the polders
The region is connected via a network of cycle and walking junctions. This makes it easy to plan your own routes along dykes, fields and village centres. You can take short loops around a village or combine longer routes towards the Groot Saeftinghe Border Park, Doel or the banks of the Scheldt.
The Drowned Land of Saeftinghe
This is Europe’s largest brackish-water salt marsh area in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, a unique tidal landscape where villages inhabited in the Middle Ages (including the village of Saeftinghe) were flooded by the Westerschelde; it is now a wilderness of mudflats, salt marshes and creeks teeming with birds, ideal for rugged walks and nature lovers wishing to experience the adventure of the tides.
The Waaslandhaven
A visit to the Waaslandhaven in Beveren offers a unique contrast between industrial grandeur (cranes, container ships, locks) and unspoilt nature (Grenspark Groot Saeftinghe, Scheldepolders, Fort Liefkenshoek), with options for themed tours (Vespa, bus), walking/cycling, heritage (Fort Liefkenshoek, Cortewalle Castle, Doel street art) and even a trip on the Waterbus. You can enjoy panoramic views, educational visits and peaceful nature reserves, with activities aimed at both families and adults.
Great day trips in the area
You can easily reach other towns and nature reserves. Sint Niklaas with the provincial park De Ster or Puyenbroeck Park in Wachtebeke are examples of places that can easily be combined with a stay in our region. This way, you can discover different corners of the Waasland without having to drive far each time.
Klingspoor
Klingspoor in De Klinge is an interactive centre and heritage project that brings the region’s history to life through four themes: the Mechelen–Terneuzen railway line, the border with the Netherlands, the clog-making industry of Waasland, and the surrounding countryside (Stropersbos/Waterwinbossen). Here you will find, among other things, a replica of a barbed wire fence from the First World War, an authentic railway carriage on a section of restored track, and walking routes (such as the ‘professions walk’) that explore the themes, making it ideal for a day trip.
Fortified town of Hulst
A visit to the fortified town of Hulst offers a blend of history, Burgundian conviviality and nature, with the 3.5 km-long ramparts as the highlight, where you can stroll past gates and bastions, experience the tale of Reynard the Fox and admire St Willibrord’s Basilica; you can shop, dine and enjoy an atmosphere reminiscent of Belgium.
B&B Arenberghoeve as a base in the polders
Whether you’re coming to cycle or walk in the polders, or for the castles, nature, harbour views or a peaceful stay in the polders, the region offers more variety than you might think at first glance. The unique trinity of agriculture, nature and industry is visible everywhere here. With a carefully chosen selection of activities and accommodation that suits you, the region becomes a solid base for a few days in Waasland/Zeeland.
Our Arenberghoeve is located in Kieldrecht: a small-scale bed and breakfast on a working farm. Guests stay amidst the fields and, after breakfast, can easily reach the creeks, the village of Doel, or set off on one of the many walking and cycling routes in the region.
Would you like to find out more about our rural B&B in Kieldrecht? Take a look at our guest rooms or contact Mireille for more information!
