A day of adventure
Visit authentic windmills
There is always something to see or do in the windmills. Step inside to find out how the miller and his family lived. The wooden stairs and revolving gear wheels will take you back to a time when the wind was their only source of power. As you walk through the rooms, you will experience how the occupants lived with the water. You can also learn how the clever construction of these windmills kept the Netherlands dry.
The windmills are open to the public. You may look around inside and, if you have any questions, you can ask the millers.
Explore Kinderdijk by boat
Come aboard our tour boat and admire Kinderdijk from a completely different angle. During this trip, you will see this impressive landscape: the large windmills with their sails turning in the charming, verdant countryside. And of course, you can get on and off our tour boat De Hopper to get even closer to the windmills. If you visit between April and October and want to see more of the area, take a trip on our Cruiser which sails a more extensive route past the various sights in the locality. It’s fun and exciting.
Catch your breath at the Visitor Center, sample a delicious treat on our terrace or rummage around the Gift Shop.
Discover Wisboom Pumping Station
While the windmills never stopped turning, something new arrived on the scene: steam power. In Wisboom Pumping Station, it becomes clear how technology reinforced and supplemented the work done by the windmills. It was the next major step in the struggle against the water. Inside, the old pumps that kept the Netherlands from flooding are still in operation. The operator will show you how this clever invention supplemented the ancient technology and why pumping stations are still crucial to us.
View the film and exhibition
Your exploration starts in Secondary Pumping Station De Fabriek. Watch the film for an introduction to the world of Kinderdijk and visit the permanent exhibition, which will tell you more about the history and technology of the windmills and the water management. Pictures, maps, and ancient tools reveal how the Dutch have controlled the water here for centuries. This visit help you understand everything you see outside more easily.
