Bike rental Oostkapelle

Domburg, Westkapelle, Zoutelande

If you cycle along the coast between the city of Domburg and the village of Zoutelande, you are guaranteed to pass Westkapelle. Westkapelle was almost completely destroyed in October 1944 as a result of the Inundation of Walcheren, or, as they call it in Westkapelle, ‘t Bombardement. The Allies bombed the sea dikes to flood the island of Walcheren and thus make it easier to chase away the German occupiers. The bay in Westkapelle, called ‘t Gat, still reminds of this bombardment. You can find out more about this in the Polderhuis Dike and War Museum in Westkapelle.

Domburg is the third oldest seaside resort in the Netherlands. The beach between Zoutelande and Westkapelle is called the Zeeland Riviera because it is one of the few beaches in the Netherlands facing south. Discover how beautiful this stretch of beach is during this cycling route!

Veere, Domburg, Breezand

Because Veerse Wolfert VI van Borselen married the Scottish king’s daughter Mary Stuart, Veere became an important place for the Scots. This created a Scottish colony with its own administrator, notary, elder, police officer and judge. In addition, the Scots were exempt from duties on beer and wine and were allowed to open their own inn and their own church. Vrouwenpolder also received visitors from Great Britain, although they were somewhat less peaceful. The English tried to invade Napoleon’s empire from here.

Oostkapelle faced an invasion of a completely different order: the village is best known as a seaside resort where many tourists come every year. Although the village is small, it does have a medieval castle: Westhove Castle has long been owned by a monastic order. Its abbot was an important man: he was chairman of the States of Zeeland and Walcheren. The States also met in the castle.

Serooskerke became internationally known due to the discovery of a treasure. More than a thousand gold coins were found in a leek field, worth 340,000 euros. The municipality was entitled to half of it and, among other things, built the swimming pool ‘De Goudvijver’. Later, another treasure was found in Serooskerke: 850 silver coins. Who knows, you might find some treasure along the way?

Vlissingen, Koudekerke, Westkapelle

Vlissingen has an international background. At the beginning of the Eighty Years’ War, the city fell into the hands of the Spaniards, until the residents managed to get them out of the city. In 1585, Vlissingen was a gift to Queen Elisabeth in exchange for help in the fight against the Spanish. There was the occupation by Germans in the Second World War and the Inundation of Walcheren by the British Allies. The consequences of this flooding can best be seen in the bay of Westkapelle. You can learn all about this in the Polderhuis Dike and War Museum in Westkapelle.

Thanks to the Treaty of Fontainebleau, Vlissingen was also a French possession for a while. The descendants of the former conquerors still know where to find this part of Zeeland and that is no wonder. Because even if the residents want to remain Zeeland and Dutch, they are always welcome to join in the fun!

Although you might think that Zeeland is flat, you can easily come across a Vliedberg. These are mounds of earth that were constructed as residential mounds from the 11th century. Later, defensive towers (also known as motte-and-bailey castles) were also built on it. In the Middle Ages, Zeeland had hundreds of refuge mountains, but now only about forty remain. You will pass two of them during this route.