Breda - nature

At home in rental properties - Select-a-House

Nature

Breda is a city known for its green character. A park like the Valkenberg in the center of Breda, the canals around the historic center, the river Mark, but also the forests that surround Breda are part of this. It is precisely this green character that makes Breda an attractive city to live and work in.

Park Valkenberg

This park is located in the center of Breda, next to the castle. Until 1812, this park served as a castle garden for the Lords of Breda. The park was originally a real forest with tall trees. In the 17th century, that character disappeared with the construction of a garden in the French style. The Valkenberg now consists of a pond with a fountain, trees and plants and some statues. It is a resting place in the city where one can walk and cycle. There is also a small catering facility where you can have a drink.

The Wilhelmina Park

This park borders the Sportpark and Zandberg districts and is a short distance from the city center of Breda. Landscape architect Springer designed the Wilhelmina Park in 1892. The park is crossed by a street. There is a beautiful pond on both sides of the state. In memory of the Polish liberators, this park contains a German Panther tank that was donated to the city by the Poles in 1945. The monument stands on the edge of the Wilhelmina Park as a thank you to the Polish liberators.

The Wolfslaar Park

The history of this park (Landgoed Wolfslaar) goes way back in history. A stone with the year 1694 was found in the east facade of the manor. In 1862, the then owner, Baroness Charlotte Storm-Cuypers, ordered the construction of the park and the construction of the stately manor with coach house. The surrounding park is public and borders the Ulvenhoutsebos. The mansion now serves as a luxury conference and party location. The coach house is now a restaurant.

Forests

The Liesbos

(Breda North-East)

This forest consists of both deciduous and coniferous trees. The name Liesbos probably comes from the groin grass that has been growing here for centuries. In 1200 the area was described as the estate of Hage and Lies. Monumental avenues were built for hunting by the former noble owners.

The Lage Vuchtpolder Nature Reserve

(Teteringse Heide)

This nature reserve forms the transition between the eastern sandy soils and forests and the western clay soils that border the Mark. In the twentieth century it developed into an agricultural area. The polder is currently being returned to nature and is part of the main ecological structure of Brabant.

The Mastbos

(Breda South)

This forest is the most visited forest near Breda and is nationally known. The Mastbos owes its name to the many Scots pines that were formerly called 'mast trees'. The mast forest is one of the oldest coniferous forests and the oldest cultural forest in the Netherlands. A forest that only really begins to develop five hundred years after it was established. The long avenues, ponds and fens testify to this.

The Ulvenhoutse Bos

(Breda South)

This forest consists of the Sint-Annabos, the Voorbos, the Nieuwbos, the Prinsenbos and the Chaambos. Some parts in the Voorbos and Chaambos are about 1000 years old. The forest was already managed in the 15th century for hunting and timber production.

The Hague Beemdenbos

(Breda North-East)

This forest is located next to the Asterdplas. This forest borders the river Mark and the village of Terheijden. It was planted in the early 1990s as part of a land development project. It is a young mixed deciduous forest, where the Essen, Beech and Alder are planted close together.

Lakes

De Galderse Meren

The Galderse Meren are located south of Breda. The area is named after the nearby village of Galder. The puddles were created in the early 1970s as a result of sand extraction for the adjacent highway. The recreational lake is intended for swimming and windsurfing. There is also a site for diving.

Asterdplas

This recreational lake is located in the De Asterd district (Breda North-East) next to the Beemdenbos in The Hague. One can swim, surf, sail or just relax here. Especially in the summer months it is full of holidaymakers from the district. There is a beach with grassy areas for sunbathing.

Rivers

The River Mark

The Mark rises at the Zandvenheide in Merksplas (Belgium). The Mark then flows to Breda where the Aa or Weerijs flows into it. De Mark continues on its way via the canals from Breda to the Hollandsch Diep. Along the river Mark you can take beautiful walks in the nature reserve of the 'Markdal'. This nature reserve is located between Breda-South and the border with Belgium. Separate walking and cycling paths have been laid out in the meadows.

The river Amer (approx. 20 km from Breda)

This river forms a continuation of the Bergsche Maas and flows into the Hollands Diep. The Amer (at Marina Drimmelen) is a river where water sports enthusiasts can indulge themselves, partly thanks to the nature reserve De Biesbosch. The Biesbosch is known for its special flora and fauna and has many recreational opportunities. From Drimmelen it is possible to take a boat trip through the Biesbosch.

North Sea

Breda is located at a driving distance of approximately 1 hour from the North Sea. In many places you will find wide sandy beaches and dunes. The distance to, for example, Hoek van Holland is about 80 km and to the Zeeland islands about 100 km. Here you can enjoy nature by walking, surfing, sailing, sunbathing or simply relaxing in one of the many seaside resorts. The well-known seaside resorts of Scheveningen (near The Hague) or Knokke (Belgium) are also within driving distance (about 1.5 hours) from Breda.

Share by: