Kinderdijk is a village in the Alblasserwaard polder of the Netherlands. It's a popular, yet authentic, tourist destination for its large network of windmills. These received recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Kinderdijk lies in the Alblasserwaard, at the confluence of the Lek and Noord rivers. In Alblasserwaard, problems with water became more and more apparent in the 13th century. Large canals, called "weteringen", were dug to get rid of the excess water in the polders. However, the drained soil started setting, while the level of the river rose due to the river's sand deposits.
After a few centuries, an additional way to keep the polders dry was required. It was decided to build a series of windmills, with a limited capacity to bridge water level differences, but just able to pump water into a reservoir at an intermediate level between the soil in the polder and the river; the reservoir could be pumped out into the river by other windmills whenever the river level was low enough; the river level has both seasonal and tidal variations. Although some of the windmills are still used, the main water works are provided by two diesel pumping stations near one of the entrances of the windmills site.
- Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout, +31 6 520-834-86. The largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands. In total, there are 19 windmills that were built in 1740 to drain the Albasserwaard. The mills are not always in operation; this depends on the weather. The Kinderdijk site, being a part of the general landscape, is free to visit.
- Museum sites. mid-Mar - Oct Mo-Su 09.00-17.30; Nov - mid-Mar 11.00-16.00. Two of the windmills can be visited inside, and a visit is usually combined with the steam-powered pumping station Wisboomgemaal. The Wisboomgemaal has a visitor's centre, a digital scale model and an introductory film. Some of the facilities here include free restrooms and soda machines. A day pass to the Windmill site, the two Museum Mills and the Multiscreen film at visitor centre 'Wisboom' €7.50; children from 4 €5.50; tickets can be bought at the parking lot, at the Museummolen, at the Wisboomgemaal and online (with 10% discount).
* Wisboom.
* Nederwaard Molen #2.
* Blokweer Molen.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout, +31 6 520-834-86. The largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands. In total, there are 19 windmills that were built in 1740 to drain the Albasserwaard. The mills are not always in operation; this depends on the weather. The Kinderdijk site, being a part of the general landscape, is free to visit.
Museum sites. mid-Mar - Oct Mo-Su 09.00-17.30; Nov - mid-Mar 11.00-16.00. Two of the windmills can be visited inside, and a visit is usually combined with the steam-powered pumping station Wisboomgemaal. The Wisboomgemaal has a visitor's centre, a digital scale model and an introductory film. Some of the facilities here include free restrooms and soda machines. A day pass to the Windmill site, the two Museum Mills and the Multiscreen film at visitor centre 'Wisboom' €7.50; children from 4 €5.50; tickets can be bought at the parking lot, at the Museummolen, at the Wisboomgemaal and online (with 10% discount).
* Wisboom.
* Nederwaard Molen #2.
* Blokweer Molen.
- Bike ride. Cycling is a popular activity in Kinderdijk. You can take a ride along the windmills, or in the wider area. It is even possible to cycle all the way to here from Rotterdam! Bike rental is available at the Partycentrum de Klok (see below) or at the town of Alblasserdam (near the waterbus stop). By bike you can easily combine a visit to Kinderdijk with other tourist attractions, such as Schoonhoven (Silver City), the fortress town of Nieuwpoort and the Streekcentrum Ooievaarsdorp Het Liesvelt (Stork Village).
- Boat tour. Apr-Oct. Along the canal dotted by the windmills. A tour takes about 30 minutes. The first boat leaves at 10AM, the last one departs at 5PM. €5; children €3.
Bike ride. Cycling is a popular activity in Kinderdijk. You can take a ride along the windmills, or in the wider area. It is even possible to cycle all the way to here from Rotterdam! Bike rental is available at the Partycentrum de Klok (see below) or at the town of Alblasserdam (near the waterbus stop). By bike you can easily combine a visit to Kinderdijk with other tourist attractions, such as [[Schoonhoven]] (Silver City), the fortress town of Nieuwpoort and the Streekcentrum Ooievaarsdorp Het Liesvelt (Stork Village).
Boat tour. Apr-Oct. Along the canal dotted by the windmills. A tour takes about 30 minutes. The first boat leaves at 10AM, the last one departs at 5PM. €5; children €3.
Kinderdijk is not really a place to go shopping, but you can buy souvenirs from the usual gift shops.
There are a few restaurants at the entrance of the park.
- Kantine De Molenhoek.
- Buena Vista, Molenstraat 230 (near the entrance of the park, +31 78 691-2485. W-Su 12:00-late. This restaurant is housed in a historic building at the main road close to the windmills. It has an old-Dutch luxurious interior that has a traditional appearance. On the menu are meat and fish dishes and Dutch pancakes. €20-30.
- Partycentrum de Klok, Molenstraat 117.
Kantine De Molenhoek.
Buena Vista, Molenstraat 230 (near the entrance of the park, +31 78 691-2485. W-Su 12:00-late. This restaurant is housed in a historic building at the main road close to the windmills. It has an old-Dutch luxurious interior that has a traditional appearance. On the menu are meat and fish dishes and Dutch pancakes. €20-30.
Partycentrum de Klok, Molenstraat 117.
Coffee for an affordable price right at the entrance of the park.
You can take the Waterbus to Dordrecht, a historic town with some interesting museums.