A small, historic village with a pretty church, a mill and a museum. See the best example of an authentic ring village left in Zeeland.
Dreischor is a tiny but beautiful Zeeland village in the heart of Schouwen-Duiveland. When we say tiny, we mean it - there are less than 1000 inhabitants! That being said, there are still more than a few reasons to visit.
Dreischor the Ring Village
Dreischor is one of the province’s protected villages - it’s one of the last and best examples of a ring village or “ringdorp”. Ring villages are specific to the dike landscapes of Zeeland and South Holland. They feature a central point, usually a church, surrounded by a moat and then a ring of buildings. This makes the Dutch ring village unique and super picturesque, a visit to one is an authentic experience you’ll only find in this part of the Netherlands.
Dreischor’s idyllic ring oozes history, likely dating back to the 13th century. Wander around and soak up the quiet, historic atmosphere and snap some pics.
St Adrian’s Church
Protestant St Adrian’s Church or ‘Adriaanskerk’ is the pearl of Dreischor. The big, beautiful old building, which dates back to the 14th century, is surrounded by a moat and makes for a unique sight. You won’t see many like this in the Netherlands. The church also has quite an impressive interior, so it's worth a quick look inside.
Goemanszord Museum
A short walk away from the church is the Goemanszord Museum. It's a bit of a niche museum about the area's agricultural history, particularly focused on Dreischor’s flax production. They also have an exhibition about bees and run horse shoeing demonstrations.
The museum café is also somewhere to get a drink or light lunch in Dreischor, no museum ticket needed.
Aeolus Mill
Another authentic Dutch sight in Dreischor is, of course, a mill. You'll find this Aeolus Mill on the edge of the village. It's not quite as historic as the rest of the place, but still dates back to 1739.
If you’re looking for a quintessential Dutch sight pop over to this old flour mill, it's a good photo spot too! From Adriaanskerk head south-east, walk for 5 minutes and you’re there.
Tips and Tricks
- Check out De Kleine Schorre Winery just down the road for some tasty, local food and wine. You can even camp there if you want to stay in the area.
- About 4km from Dreischor, in Noordgouwe,see another rare example of a preserved Zeeland ring village. The ring and church are a little smaller in Noordgouwe, but it's still pretty and picturesque.
- The Goemanszord Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00. For adults the entrance fee is 6€ and this includes a free cup of tea or coffee! Kids go for 3€.
- The Goemanszord is a local museum, we’ve heard that the friendly staff may not speak much English. Dutch speakers will probably get the most out of this museum.
Getting There
- By Car: free parking opposite the Goemanszorg museum.
- By Bus: Goemanszorg bus stop is right outside the museum. It's a 2 minute walk from the ring. It is served by bus 591.
