2 delightfully green gateways to Meetjesland
Idyllically located heritage gems as ideal starting point for your visit
Discover the Huysmanhoeve (Eeklo) and Drongengoedhoeve (Ursel), 2 delightfully green gateways to Meetjesland. A visit to Meetjesland is best started at the centuries-old Huysmanhoeve in Eeklo or Drongengoedhoeve in Ursel (Aalter). Indeed, both historic sites now serve as tourist information points.
You will immediately get a clear picture of the versatility of this fascinating region. Afterwards, you can explore Meetjesland extensively on foot, by bike or by car. Use the right parking spots, especially in Drongengoed. Handle this area with care.
Provincial Regional Centre Huysmanhoeve
The Huysmanhoeve (named after the family that leased and operated the farm from 1736 to 1996) is undoubtedly the beating heart of the region. The 13th-century monumental gate - the oldest building in Eeklo and possibly even in the entire Meetjesland - and the 17th-century house were protected as monuments. The courtyard, together with the causeway, ramparts, service buildings and orchard, forms a listed village landmark. As a whole, the Huysmanhoeve today thrives as a Provincial Regional Centre: from April to early October, people from Meetjesland and tourists of various ages gather there to relax, engage in regional activities and honour regional heritage.
Temporary and permanent exhibitions highlight links to the typical DNA of the region. The unique standard orchard with old Meetjesland varieties, the herb garden, the berry garden and the ecological vegetable garden with long forgotten vegetables are a treat for the eye and all other senses. The cafeteria's large terrace is a lovely place to sample the best local produce. You will also find a store selling regional delicacies. On numerous occasions, the restored oven is fired up to bake bread and other goodies. Folk Games Day, Planting Day, Archaeology Days, Walking Day, Crafts Day, Meetjesland Animal Day, small-scale festivals or concerts: de Huysmanhoeve simply offers something for everyone.
Meetjesland will get you moving
Fancy a game of farmer's golf? An adventure course runs through the site, in which you complete 10 holes. Or try your hand at an ancient Flemish folk sport in the curling area. Children can have fun in the mud kitchen, on the tree trail or in the natural playground. And in an educational quest lasting about an hour, you'll learn all about de Huysmanhoeve of yesteryear.
But de Huysmanhoeve is also the ideal starting point to thoroughly explore Meetjesland. From there, you can in no time reach the creek area near the Dutch border, the forest belt between Oosteeklo and Sint-Maria-Aalter and the rural region along the River Lieve, Flanders' oldest canal. The tourist information office at the Huysmanhoeve offers a wide choice of cycling and walking routes all year round. You can hire bikes there on request. And the regional specialists will be happy to show you the way to the many cosy pubs, atmospheric restaurants and blissful guest houses in Meetjesland.
Huysmanhoeve, Bus 1, 9900 Eeklo, info@toerismemeetjesland.be, T +32 9 377 86 00, Open from april 1st to october 1st, from wednesday until sunday, 11:00 to 17:00. The parking is very suitable as a start to discover the region by bike.
Drongengoedhoeve, oasis in the middle of the forest
The Drongengoedhoeve in Ursel is an oasis of peace in the middle of the Drongengoed Landscape Park, the largest contiguous forest area of East Flanders. The name refers to the Norbertines from Drongen, who tried to reclaim the land there from 1200 to 1740. The current main building dates from 1746. Especially on Sundays, the inn, with its delightful terrace, is a haven for active explorers. Historic attractions such as Ghent, Bruges, Damme, Sluis and Aardenburg are all within a radius of 30 km at most. By the way, the Drongengoedhoeve is located on a node of the Meetjesland Cycling Network. Whatever direction you want to go, you will always find a safe and pleasant route.
Prefer to walk? The Drongengoed forest covers no less than 550 hectares. The chequerboard-shaped causeway pattern allows you to explore different corners of the property each time. Be sure to visit Maldegemveld: the adjacent 85-hectare nature reserve is a patchwork of purple heather patches, ponds and oak-birch forests. Gentle Galloway cattle ensure that the encroaching grasses, brambles and saplings do not completely overgrow this unique heathland. In addition, you will regularly come face to face with groups of fallow deer and roe deer.
Meetjesland Landscape Information Centre
But there is a lot more to experience on and around the Drongengoedhoeve. Meetjesland Landscape Information Centre presents the fascinating story of the Maldegemveld and the Drongengoed in an audiovisual manner in about five old stables and on a number of outdoor exhibits. The permanent exhibition "The Secret of the Cuesta" immerses the visitor in the history and future of the site through three sections (geology, archaeology and nature conservation).
The Drongengoedhoeve also houses a standard orchard and an interesting kitchen garden with long forgotten vegetables and herbs. At the ceramics studio, artistic minds can unleash their creativity on local clay. Bread is baked in the 19th-century bakehouse every Sunday. Children are sure to find something to their liking in the beautiful nature education play area, which was arranged around water, wood, clay and wool.
Meetjesland specialities
And of course you will gladly seize the opportunity to taste some Meetjesland specialities at the Drongengoedhoeve inn. These include honey from beekeeping house Lekens in Middelburg, artisanally produced aperitif or dessert wine Pomme Charelle from Maldegem and beers from Brewery Van Steenberge in Ertvelde, including such well-known names as Augustijn and Gulden Draak. Feel free to stock up for home or have a gift pack put together. Bon appetit and enjoy ... With greetings from Meetjesland!