Lochem, Castles and Estates

Important: Itinéraire et l'information uniquement disponible en Anglais.

Wichtig: Nur englische Routenbeschreibung

Lochem offers all ingredients for a lovely short or long stay. Lochem has been inviting for more than 125 years now. Once you tasted Lochem, you stay a little longer. Come and taste, experience, discover, enjoy and relax, get into action, experience, relax, set off on an adventure, be surprised…

Highlights
Picturesque countryside
Castles and country estates

You can discover Lochem in many ways, but cycling and walking is preferred by most visitors. The city walk through Lochem, with marked paving stones, is one of the first introduction routes. The route is called the “Hof van Gelre” route. Hotel ‘t Hof van Gelre gave the municipality of Lochem this route as a gift in honour of her fiftieth anniversary. While taking the route, you will learn more about Lochem’s history and the grand exclusive residential neighbourhood where Hotel ‘t Hof van Gelre is located.

The Achterhoek
The Achterhoek is known as THE holiday area to slow down and get some rest.
The area to the east of the IJssel river is publicly known as the Achterhoek; an area with woods, country estates, small rivers and picturesque villages. Small-scaledness is the trump card here. The population lives in charming villages or in beautiful historic little cities. The Achterhoek is also very inviting because of its many castles and stately homes. There are seventy of them! Most of them (still are) private property, and the others can only be visited.
The beautiful nature with its bocage is perfect for bicycle rides. Having a wonderful time roaming through the forest and country estates. You can have regular breaks in one of the comfortable catering establishments on the route or you can rest at an Uutbloashuuske. Uutbloashuuskes are places at farms that you can go to for a cup of coffee, tea, fruit juice, old-fashioned ice cream and sometimes a fresh glass of milk. All on the basis of self-service. The area is not declared the best cycling area of the Netherlands without sufficient reason!
The well-known slogan ‘You recover in the Achterhoek’ comes to life in the area in both senses of the word. You do more than just relax in the Achterhoek; the old stories, folk tales and legends of the area are kept alive by the people, but in a modern look.
The Achterhoek has something special… The combination of small-scaledness, beautiful nature and hospitality will welcome you. In the Achterhoek we still have time for each other and for our guests.

The hotel
Hampshire Hotel – ’t Hof van Gelre is the ideal area for active Burgundians.

In 2012, it has been seventy years ago that ‘t Hof van Gelre opened its doors in Lochem. Since that day, the entire team is ready to have you enjoy the gastronomic hospitality.

The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, a comfortable lounge, partially covered terraces and a pleasant restaurant. At night you will certainly have a good time at the inviting bar.

At the end of 2011, ‘t Hof van Gelre finished a colourful metamorphosis. The breakfast restaurant, the lounge and the à la carte restaurant got a modern / classical character with its new design furniture, furnishings and lighting. Despite of this renovation, the warm and domestic sphere that characterizes the hotel has been preserved.
You will receive an extra courtesy during your stay at ’t Hof van Gelre, because presents just belong to birthdays!

Bike routes
A short round trip takes you in a wide circle around the Lochem 'mountain'. On the Graafschapsroute you pass several country estates, while even more gardens of delight and country estates await you on the Landgoederen trip, although unfortunately only one of the country houses is open to the public. The castle trip, cycled officially for the first time more than 90 years ago, speaks for itself. The Ooievaarstocht (Stork trip) owes its name to the stork village of Gorssel, where you can come across some trades that are out of the ordinary, such as rope maker and mustard maker.

Route distances, km
 1: Lochemer 'Mountain' route, 20 
 2: Graafschaproute, 41 
 3: Estates route, 40
 4: Castle tour, 50
 5: Stork tour, 48

1 km = 0.62 miles