Bad Fallingbostel

Germany

Hof der Heidmark, a typical Lower Saxon farm near Bad Fallingbostel Bad Fallingbostel is the county town (Kreisstadt) of Soltau-Fallingbostel in the state of Lower Saxony.

Bad Fallingbostel lies within the Lüneburg Heath region, a popular holiday and excursion area for the great North German cities of Hanover, Hamburg and Bremen. It is also a recognised state-recognised spa town, hence the prefix "Bad". It has close ties to Walsrode, a few miles to the west. There is a British Army base in Bad Fallingbostel.

During World War II it was the site of two POW camps, Stalag XIB and Stalag 357.

Bad Fallingbostel is an interesting town with quite a bit of history. The old church of St. Dionysis is an interesting site to see, as is the monument to Heinrich von Quintus Icilius; a 19th century politician who helped create one of the first savings banks in Hanover. The villages are over a thousand years old, although documented mentioning occurred only at later times. The main town Fallingbostel celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 1993. In the year 993 Fallingbostel was mentioned in writing for the first time. Kaiser Otto III. set the border between the bishoprics Hildesheim and Minden. In this document Fallingbostel is referred to as "Vastulingeburstalle". This name means "place to live of Vastulo or of the Vastulingers". Dorfmark was first mentioned in documents which are dated to the time around 968. In one of those documents from the year 1006 these place is called "Thormarca". That name is interpreted: Thor = to the, marca = border, forest-cooperative, market-cooperative

The moorlands of the Lüneburg Heath are a beautiful place to visit. It offers some of the most beautiful places to hike, walk, or cycle around Lower Saxony, a brilliant way to see the Lüneburg Health. Bad Fallingbostel also has the old German farmhouse known as Hof der Heidmark and many of the town’s timber framed houses are still here.

A little more than half a century ago Bad Fallingbostel was the site of World War II POW camps; Stalag XIB, XID, and 357 (Stalag XIC was the Bergen Belsen camp only about a half hour away). More than 30,000 Soviet prisoners were buried here before the camp was liberated in 1945. After the war, the camp was used as an internment camp for National Socialists; it’s now all part of the Fallingbostel Military Museum. World War II history has found its way in town in another way, it’s the final resting place of Field Marshal Erich von Manstein, a high ranking general who served four years in prison for war crimes before going off to become a military advisor for the British. Interestingly enough, the 19th century writer (journalist, conservationist, historian) Hermann Löns is also buried here. He died long before the start of the 2nd World War, but his nationalistic writings caught the attention of the Nazis and Adolf Hitler ordered his body exhumed and reburied here.

Bad Fallingbostel is a small beautiful town with a lot of history. But if history is not your thing then there are plenty of sites and attractions around Fallingbostel that would be of interest.

Bad Fallingbostel lies on the Böhme river in the southern part of the Lüneburg Heath between Soltau and Walsrode in the Heidmark. In the vicinity is the large military training area of Bergen-Hohne, which is utilised by the Bundeswehr and by NATO forces, as well as Fallingbostel Station, a large barracks for the British Forces in Germany.

  • Fallingbostel Military Museum, St Barbara's Barracks, +49 1734391864. The museum was the brain child of Captain Dave Curry 2Bn REME who back in March 2006, asked Kevin Greenhalgh to help put on a small display of relics from the PoW camps. It soon started to fill up first the room with PoW relics then the corridor, a museum was born. You will need an ID card or passport to enter the camp.
  • Hof der Heidmark, +49 5162-3600. 1 Apr to end Oct, Thursdays from 15.30 to 18.00; otherwise phone for an appointment. This monument to a typical Lower Saxon farm stands at the edge of a large beech wood that drops steeply to the River Böhme. The "Hof der Heidmark" has a 1642 timber-framed farmhouse and old Treppenspeicher barns. It commemorates the villages that were cleared in the mid-1930s to make way for the Bergen-Hohne military training area. One of the barns houses a small cafe, the Heimatstube Rummelsburg.

Fallingbostel Military Museum, St Barbara's Barracks, +49 1734391864. The museum was the brain child of Captain Dave Curry 2Bn REME who back in March 2006, asked Kevin Greenhalgh to help put on a small display of relics from the PoW camps. It soon started to fill up first the room with PoW relics then the corridor, a museum was born. You will need an ID card or passport to enter the camp.

Hof der Heidmark, +49 5162-3600. 1 Apr to end Oct, Thursdays from 15.30 to 18.00; otherwise phone for an appointment. This monument to a typical Lower Saxon farm stands at the edge of a large beech wood that drops steeply to the River Böhme. The "Hof der Heidmark" has a 1642 timber-framed farmhouse and old Treppenspeicher barns. It commemorates the villages that were cleared in the mid-1930s to make way for the Bergen-Hohne military training area. One of the barns houses a small cafe, the Heimatstube Rummelsburg.

  • Historical Walks There are a number of informative walks in and around Bad Fallingbostel with a varied distances.
  • Lieth outdoor pool, Soltauer Straße 26, +49 5162 622226. The heated "Lieth-Freibad" has a charming location in the forest near the Böhme river. The season for the "Lieth-Freibades" begins, depending on weather, in May and ends in September. Adult €3.50 Child €1.50.
  • Golf Club Tielingen, Tietlingen 6c, +49 5162 38 89. Enjoy the spirit of the game at the Gold Club Tielingen. Play one of the most scenic and challenging golf courses in North Germany. Low cost memberships with monthy payment options. For prices please call..
  • The Park, Bad Fallingbostel, In the centre of town opposite the ice cream parlour (long=. Fallingbostel has a beautiful large park area. There is he duck pond feeding area, a great place to take the children on a summers day. Also situated next to the park is the Boot Station. They serve food & drinks, they have mini golf and boat hire. At the bottom end of the park there is an adventure playground area for children.
  • Reitschule for Freizeitreiter - Horse Riding, Görlitzer Straße 17 (Take the B163 from Fallingbostel to Soltau, between the villages of Vierde and Dorfmark, near the lay-by on the right hand side is a sign URLAUB AUF DEM BAUERNHOF (Holiday on the farm) follow this sign down to the riding school, +49 5163 290 414. This riding school speak in English. They offer a mini club for children from 3 years old. They also offer riding lessons for adults - Beginners and Experienced. They also do children's birthday parties. Adult Lesson €20, Child Lesson €12.

Join in the fun at the annual Wine Festival at Whitsun weekend or the Beach Festival in August in Dorfmark!

Historical Walks There are a number of informative walks in and around Bad Fallingbostel with a varied distances.

Lieth outdoor pool, Soltauer Straße 26, +49 5162 622226. The heated "Lieth-Freibad" has a charming location in the forest near the Böhme river. The season for the "Lieth-Freibades" begins, depending on weather, in May and ends in September. Adult €3.50 Child €1.50.

Golf Club Tielingen, Tietlingen 6c, +49 5162 38 89. Enjoy the spirit of the game at the Gold Club Tielingen. Play one of the most scenic and challenging golf courses in North Germany. Low cost memberships with monthy payment options. For prices please call..

The Park, Bad Fallingbostel, In the centre of town opposite the ice cream parlour (long=. Fallingbostel has a beautiful large park area. There is he duck pond feeding area, a great place to take the children on a summers day. Also situated next to the park is the Boot Station. They serve food & drinks, they have mini golf and boat hire. At the bottom end of the park there is an adventure playground area for children.

Reitschule for Freizeitreiter - Horse Riding, Görlitzer Straße 17 (Take the B163 from Fallingbostel to Soltau, between the villages of Vierde and Dorfmark, near the lay-by on the right hand side is a sign URLAUB AUF DEM BAUERNHOF (Holiday on the farm) follow this sign down to the riding school, +49 5163 290 414. This riding school speak in English. They offer a mini club for children from 3 years old. They also offer riding lessons for adults - Beginners and Experienced. They also do children's birthday parties. Adult Lesson €20, Child Lesson €12.

  • Fallingbostel Farmers Market. This takes place every Thursday morning and sells fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers.
  • Glasspeicher Bennien, Scharnhorststraße 4a, +49 5162 7521. Mon-Fri 0930-1230/1430-1800 Sun -0930-1300. They offer hand blown glass crystal such as,Carafés, Bowls and Glasses. They also stock the complete range of Bunzlauer Ceramic in various designs including the famous "Peacock Eye". In Addition you will also find a small selection of Antique Pine and French Polished Furniture. They can also engrave any design, eg Regimental Crests onto Carafés, Glasses. Various prices.
  • Supermarkets, They are all located in the centre of town. Mon-Sat 8:00 - 21:00 Sun - CLOSED. Bad Fallingbostel has 6 supermarkets all in the centre of town: Lidl, Netto, Penny Markt, Rewe, E-Centre and Aldi. Various prices.
  • TOOM, Bockhorner Weg 9 (Next to McDonalds. Just off the Bad Fallingbostel exit on the A7, +49 5162 9895-0. TOOM is a hardware/DIY shop. They sell paints, tools, plants, lighting etc etc. Various prices.
  • Bruno Renz - Bike Shop, Von-Linsingen-Str. 9, +49 51623977. Various prices.

Fallingbostel Farmers Market. This takes place every Thursday morning and sells fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers.

Glasspeicher Bennien, Scharnhorststraße 4a, +49 5162 7521. Mon-Fri 0930-1230/1430-1800 Sun -0930-1300. They offer hand blown glass crystal such as,Carafés, Bowls and Glasses. They also stock the complete range of Bunzlauer Ceramic in various designs including the famous "Peacock Eye". In Addition you will also find a small selection of Antique Pine and French Polished Furniture. They can also engrave any design, eg Regimental Crests onto Carafés, Glasses. Various prices.

Supermarkets, They are all located in the centre of town. Mon-Sat 8:00 - 21:00 Sun - CLOSED. Bad Fallingbostel has 6 supermarkets all in the centre of town: Lidl, Netto, Penny Markt, Rewe, E-Centre and Aldi. Various prices.

TOOM, Bockhorner Weg 9 (Next to McDonalds. Just off the Bad Fallingbostel exit on the A7, +49 5162 9895-0. TOOM is a hardware/DIY shop. They sell paints, tools, plants, lighting etc etc. Various prices.

Bruno Renz - Bike Shop, Von-Linsingen-Str. 9, +49 51623977. Various prices.

  • Zio Seba, Vogteistraße 2, +49 5162 91091. 11:00-22:00. Pavement café in the centre of Bad Fallingbostel where they serve Italian ice-cream.

Zio Seba, Vogteistraße 2, +49 5162 91091. 11:00-22:00. Pavement café in the centre of Bad Fallingbostel where they serve Italian ice-cream.

  • Mediteran, Kirchplatz 1, +49 5162 2305. 11:30-14:30 & 18:00-23:00. Also known as the Yugoslavian, serves Mediterranean food in a comfortable environment within the town centre.
  • La Trattoria, Düshorner Straße 1, +49 5162 3820. 12:00-14:30 & 17:30-23:30. An Italian restaurant with an indoor and outdoor seating area. This is situated in the centre of town.
  • Beckmann's Hof, Adolphsheider Straße 43, +49 5162 98160. A traditional German restaurant on the outskirts of Bad Fallingbostel town where you are made to feel welcome. There is also the opportunity to use the Kegelbahn, the German equivalent of skittles.
  • Wangs, Soltauer Straße 21, +49 5162 6666. 12:00-15:00 & 17:00-22:00. Is a Chinese restaurant (and Take-Away) situated close to Bad Fallingbostel town centre. It offers a varied menu with a buffet on Wed/Fri/Sat and Sun evening. Adult Buffet €15, Child Buffet €8.50.

Mediteran, Kirchplatz 1, +49 5162 2305. 11:30-14:30 & 18:00-23:00. Also known as the Yugoslavian, serves Mediterranean food in a comfortable environment within the town centre.

La Trattoria, Düshorner Straße 1, +49 5162 3820. 12:00-14:30 & 17:30-23:30. An Italian restaurant with an indoor and outdoor seating area. This is situated in the centre of town.

Beckmann's Hof, Adolphsheider Straße 43, +49 5162 98160. A traditional German restaurant on the outskirts of Bad Fallingbostel town where you are made to feel welcome. There is also the opportunity to use the Kegelbahn, the German equivalent of skittles.

Wangs, Soltauer Straße 21, +49 5162 6666. 12:00-15:00 & 17:00-22:00. Is a Chinese restaurant (and Take-Away) situated close to Bad Fallingbostel town centre. It offers a varied menu with a buffet on Wed/Fri/Sat and Sun evening. Adult Buffet €15, Child Buffet €8.50.

  • Drei Tageszeiten, Kirchplatz 6, +49 5162 902513. 12:00-14:30 & 17:30-22:00. Has an outside terrace area overlooking the River Böhme and park, perfect for those summer evenings. They serve international cuisine and cater for that special occasion. Also many seasonal specialities like wild mushrooms in September and pumpkins in October. €10-16 for a main course.
  • Alexis Sorbas, 4 Vogeti Str, +49 5162 7408. 12:00-14:30 & 17:00-23:30. Specialises in Greek food with an outside eating area right in the centre of Bad Fallingbostel. As well as Greek food they also provide a few international alternatives
  • Akropolis, Am Rooksberg 1, +49 5162 1811. A Greek restaurant set in a cosy environment, with very helpful staff.
  • Utspann, Quintusstraße 13, +49 5162 2114. Mo-Su 12:00-21:30. Is an original restaurant with a variety of choices for the exquisite taste. There is an opportunity for small or large groups to have horse and cart rides around the town.
  • Binenkorb, Düshorner Straße 54, +49 5162 2782. 11:00-23:00. Serves traditional German and international food always freshly prepared with the option of eating indoors or outside. It is situated on the road towards Walsrode.

Drei Tageszeiten, Kirchplatz 6, +49 5162 902513. 12:00-14:30 & 17:30-22:00. Has an outside terrace area overlooking the River Böhme and park, perfect for those summer evenings. They serve international cuisine and cater for that special occasion. Also many seasonal specialities like wild mushrooms in September and pumpkins in October. €10-16 for a main course.

Alexis Sorbas, 4 Vogeti Str, +49 5162 7408. 12:00-14:30 & 17:00-23:30. Specialises in Greek food with an outside eating area right in the centre of Bad Fallingbostel. As well as Greek food they also provide a few international alternatives

Akropolis, Am Rooksberg 1, +49 5162 1811. A Greek restaurant set in a cosy environment, with very helpful staff.

Utspann, Quintusstraße 13, +49 5162 2114. Mo-Su 12:00-21:30. Is an original restaurant with a variety of choices for the exquisite taste. There is an opportunity for small or large groups to have horse and cart rides around the town.

Binenkorb, Düshorner Straße 54, +49 5162 2782. 11:00-23:00. Serves traditional German and international food always freshly prepared with the option of eating indoors or outside. It is situated on the road towards Walsrode.

  • Deluxe Döner, Hauptstr.4 - Dorfmark, +49 5163 29 110 66. 11:00-14:30 & 17:00-23:00 (closed Mondays). This is a Donner Kebab takeaway establishment in Dorfmark. They also do other foods such as pizza, wraps, baguettes and side orders. €2-€6.
  • Chinese Take Away - Orchidee, Walsrode Str. 4, +49 5162 1011. Daily from 17:00-24:00, Fr-Sa 17:00-1:00. This Chinese take-away offers a wide range of Chinese food, from soups & starters to main dishes of pork, beef, duck & chicken. €2-€12.50 (€2 delivery charge).
  • City Pizza, Vogteistraße 33, +49 5162 904 666. Su-Th 16:00-23:00, Fr-Sa 16:00-24:00. City Pizza offer a takeaway and delivery service. This pizza establishment also offers foods such as pasta, gyros, salads, burgers and side orders. €2-€10.

Deluxe Döner, Hauptstr.4 - Dorfmark, +49 5163 29 110 66. 11:00-14:30 & 17:00-23:00 (closed Mondays). This is a Donner Kebab takeaway establishment in Dorfmark. They also do other foods such as pizza, wraps, baguettes and side orders. €2-€6.

Chinese Take Away - Orchidee, Walsrode Str. 4, +49 5162 1011. Daily from 17:00-24:00, Fr-Sa 17:00-1:00. This Chinese take-away offers a wide range of Chinese food, from soups & starters to main dishes of pork, beef, duck & chicken. €2-€12.50 (€2 delivery charge).

City Pizza, Vogteistraße 33, +49 5162 904 666. Su-Th 16:00-23:00, Fr-Sa 16:00-24:00. City Pizza offer a takeaway and delivery service. This pizza establishment also offers foods such as pasta, gyros, salads, burgers and side orders. €2-€10.

  • Bootstation, Soltauer Straße 6, +49 5162 909793. an outside bar with live music next to the river and park. Crazy golf, pedalo hire, live music. Range from €6.50 - €42.
  • Die Taverne, Vogteistraße 11, +49 5162 900256. Is a traditional German pub situated in the centre of Bad Fallingbostel.
  • Flavourz, Dushorner Str. Is a lively bar in the centre of town, with a take away attached to the bar.
  • Paradise, Vogtenistraße 33, +49 174-6227152. Paradise is a new coacktail and lounge bar situated off from the centre of town, next to City Pizza. Pop along for a fun night filled with cocktails and dancing!
  • Big Ben, Vogteistraße (By the railway tracks. A German Bar which also does food and takeaway.
  • La Trattoria, Dushorner Straße. Pizza, Steak House open daily.
  • Flic Flac's, Vogetistraße (Next to the train station. Small disco/dance club .

There are more bars and clubs are in Walsrode, the next town from Bad Fallingbostel, about 10-15 minute drive away.

Bootstation, Soltauer Straße 6, +49 5162 909793. an outside bar with live music next to the river and park. Crazy golf, pedalo hire, live music. Range from €6.50 - €42.

Die Taverne, Vogteistraße 11, +49 5162 900256. Is a traditional German pub situated in the centre of Bad Fallingbostel.

Flavourz, Dushorner Str. Is a lively bar in the centre of town, with a take away attached to the bar.

Paradise, Vogtenistraße 33, +49 174-6227152. Paradise is a new coacktail and lounge bar situated off from the centre of town, next to City Pizza. Pop along for a fun night filled with cocktails and dancing!

Big Ben, Vogteistraße (By the railway tracks. A German Bar which also does food and takeaway.

La Trattoria, Dushorner Straße. Pizza, Steak House open daily.

Flic Flac's, Vogetistraße (Next to the train station. Small disco/dance club .

  • Telefiji Dushorner Str. An internet/telephone shop with a number of computers and telephones which the public can use. They also have printers, so if you need to print boarding passes etc, it's a great place to go.
  • Dorfmark Touristik e.V., Marktstraße 1, Dorfmark, +49 5162 400400.

Telefiji Dushorner Str. An internet/telephone shop with a number of computers and telephones which the public can use. They also have printers, so if you need to print boarding passes etc, it's a great place to go.

Dorfmark Touristik e.V., Marktstraße 1, Dorfmark, +49 5162 400400.

  • Serengeti Park, Am Safaripark 1, Hodenhagen, +49 5164 97990. Mo-Su 9:00-18:00. A little piece of Africa in Germany. Serengeti allows you to drive your vehicle through the park and see the wild animals up close. After seeing the animals there is an amusement park which will keep you entertained for the rest of the day. The park situated in the neighbouring town of Hodenhagen, about 15km from Bad Fallingbostel.
  • Wild park, Am Wildpark - Nindorf-Hanstedt (It is exit Garlstorf on the A7, then in the direction of Nindorf, signposted, +49 4184 89390. Summer 8:00-19:00 Winter 9:00-16:30. Surrounded in 60 acres of land with over 120 different types of animals. There is a large free car park available. Adult €9 Child (3-14) €7.
  • Walsrode
  • Soltau
  • Hamburg
  • Bremen
  • Hanover

Serengeti Park, Am Safaripark 1, Hodenhagen, +49 5164 97990. Mo-Su 9:00-18:00. A little piece of Africa in Germany. Serengeti allows you to drive your vehicle through the park and see the wild animals up close. After seeing the animals there is an amusement park which will keep you entertained for the rest of the day. The park situated in the neighbouring town of Hodenhagen, about 15km from Bad Fallingbostel.

Wild park, Am Wildpark - Nindorf-Hanstedt (It is exit Garlstorf on the A7, then in the direction of Nindorf, signposted, +49 4184 89390. Summer 8:00-19:00 Winter 9:00-16:30. Surrounded in 60 acres of land with over 120 different types of animals. There is a large free car park available. Adult €9 Child (3-14) €7.