;

Discover its rich history!

The Henschotermeer area has a rich history which begins in 1895. At that time it was still a large sand drift, and to prevent roads and meadows from disappearing under the drifting sand, the sand drifts were covered with sod and heather. Between the sods, trees were planted so that the trees increasingly determined the face.

More information swimming & recreation →

More information rates & tickets →

Check out our terrain regulations here in advance →

THE EMERGENCE OF THE POND

 

Henschotermeer itself was created during the mobilization period (around 1939). During this period, trees were cut down in the area and sand was mined. This sand, together with the released wood, was used for the fortification of the Grebbelinie between Woudenberg and Leusden. What remained was a pond of about 3 hectares with a depth of 30 cm. Except in one place where the water was 80 cm deep and could still be swum a little. In those days the school children enjoyed playing in the woods, especially when wood was cut somewhere it was a feast for them.

A beloved spot

Henschotermeer has been a place to soak in the sun and paddle in the summer since the early 1950s, but it is also a wonderful place to ice skate in the winter. In 1950 it did not yet have a national reputation and did not have many visitors. It was then only a relatively small pond, which was known only to the inhabitants of Woudenberg, and a few people from the surrounding area.

HENSCHOTERMEER

How the puddle was created

Due to the increasing mobility of people, and the fact that people's leisure activities were also changing with it, it started to get busier and busier in the early sixties. Problems arose with regard to hygiene and traffic safety. This led to the development, in consultation with the landowner, the Den Treek-Henschoten Estate, of a plan for a recreational lake with a large reception capacity. This plan was realized in 1972, connecting a nearby sand excavation to the then still relatively small Henschotermeer lake. This created a large lake with an island in the middle connected by wooden footbridges.

With the construction of larger parking lots and multiple toilet facilities, the influx, over the years, multiplied and the Recreation Area Henschotermeer grew into a popular place with a total area of 70 hectares, including 13 hectares of swimming water. With its white sandy beaches, the high quality bathing water (which is regularly checked) and the many facilities, the history here will not stop but, we hope, continue for many years to come!