Discover the stories

behind the craft

Close-up of hands felting wool at Vacht & Wol in Harmelen, where sustainable wool products are made with care and craftsmanship, part of Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region. Inside are washed sheepskins drying, while outside a shepherdess tends her sheep at Vacht & Wol in Harmelen, part of Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region. Artisanal wood-fired distillery boiler in use at Chamberick Distillery, producing locally distilled drinks, part of Dutch Crafts Utrecht Region. Detail of the distillation process at The Chamberick Distillery in Houten - an artisanal process with copper kettles, part of Dutch Crafts Utrecht Region. Distiller checks liquor quality at The Chamberick Distillery in Houten - artisanal craftsmanship with traditional copper kettles, part of Dutch Crafts Utrecht Region. Hand scoops raw cocoa beans from a burlap bag at Choco Made in Alphen aan den Rijn - artisanal chocolate production, Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region. Rotating drum of chocolate-coated treats at Choco Made in Alphen aan den Rijn - artisanal chocolate operation, Dutch Crafts Utrecht Region. Cocoa beans in a processing machine at Choco Made in Alphen aan den Rijn - artisanal chocolate process, Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region. Artisanal chocolates in the showcase at Choco Made in Alphen aan den Rijn - Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region. Two filled tasting glasses of traditionally distilled liquor from The Chamberick Distillery in Houten - local craftsmanship and taste experience, Dutch Crafts Utrecht Region. Artisanal sliced cheese at De Beekhoeve in Kamerik - Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region Artisanal milk production on a farm - Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region. 'Grass-fed' sign in the farm shop of De Beekhoeve in Kamerik - Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region. Free-range chickens scratch in the sun at De Beekhoeve in Kamerik - Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region.

Step into the world of craftsmanship

Discover the stories - Behind the Dutch Crafts

From cheese making to coat skinning, and from chocolate making to whisky distilling and cow milking - each craft tells a unique story of tradition, passion and mastery. Be surprised by the makers themselves, taste the past and see how old techniques come back to life.

The Chamberick Distillery - The craft of distilling

Discover Laetitia's story

In this artisanal distillery, spirits such as whisky, gin and liqueur are made using traditional methods. During a guided tour, Laetitia takes you through the complete process. The smell of spices, the glistening of copper kettles and her passion make it a special experience. And, of course, you can taste the result. Be surprised by local flavours and unique creations you will not find anywhere else.

Plan your visit
Laetitia welcomes visitors at The Chamberick Distillery - craft distillery in the Utrecht Region.
  • Two filled tasting glasses of traditionally distilled liquor from The Chamberick Distillery in Houten - local craftsmanship and taste experience, Dutch Crafts Utrecht Region.
  • Laetitia stirs a barrel of grain malt at The Chamberick Distillery - craft distillery in the Utrecht Region.
  • Visitors taste craft liquor at the bar of The Chamberick Distillery in the Utrecht Region.

The Wind Otter

The story of the miller

A miller does not just turn the sails of the mill. That requires knowledge: an understanding of the mill's technology, the weather and all kinds of safety aspects that are important for work and maintenance. The miller controls the rotational speed of the sails on a windmill by attaching mill sails to the sails. Visit mill De Windotter or one of the other mills and find out all about this special craft.

Discover the story of windmill de Windotter

Know what you eat - The Beekhoeve

From farmer to plate

Boerderij de Beekhoeve shows where our food really comes from. Together with their children, Koos and Monique share an important story: from farm to fork. For them, good dairy starts with healthy soil, full of life, where the cows graze freely. In the farm shop, you will find delicious organic local produce, fresh from the land. In summer, they organise the special event Mooi op 't Hooi, where experience and awareness come together. Everything revolves around one message: know what you are eating. Experience it for yourself at this inspiring place in the Utrecht region.

Book your spot for Mooi op 't Hooi

Coat&Wool - Sustainable craftsmanship

The special story of Rianne

Rianne, the driving force behind Vacht&Wol, started out of her love for her father-in-law's sheep flock. When she saw how much valuable wool was being thrown away, she decided to change that. Now she saves wool from her own sheep as well as from fellow sheep farmers, and gives it a new, sustainable purpose. Come and experience it for yourself at a workshop or choose one of the handmade, sustainable accessories for your home.

Plan your visit
Traditional wool felting at Vacht & Wol in Harmelen, where wool from its own sheep is processed into sustainable products, part of Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region.
  • Shepherdess tends a sheep flock at Vacht & Wol in Harmelen, where sheep wool is processed sustainably and traditionally, part of Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region.
  • Wooden welcome sign with logo of Vacht & Wol in Harmelen, inviting visitors to the craft wool workshop, part of Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region.
  • Craft felting at Vacht & Wol in Harmelen, where a felt coat is carefully rolled, part of Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region.

Woerden Cheese Warehouse - Cheese Experience

From cow to cheese

At the Kaaspakhuis Woerden, experience the craft of cheese making as it once began. Dive into the region's rich cheese history and discover step by step how farmer's cheese is made. Learn all about the importance of ripening and admire the traditional way cheese is turned and cared for in the ripening room. Learn about the importance of maturation and admire the traditional way cheese is turned and cared for in the maturation room.

Discover the story in the Cheese Warehouse

Glassworks in Leerdam

Pure craftsmanship

In a former timber shed in Leerdam, you will find the glassworks of the National Glass Museum. Here, glassblowers work six days a week to shape unique works of glass art. With fire, craftsmanship and sheer muscle power, they bring glowing, viscous masses to life. Every twist, blow and movement requires years of experience and extreme precision. A craft you have to see to believe. Do you dare to take the heat? Come along and discover their story

Visit the Glassworks

Culture & tradition - in Spakenburg

Spakenburg is a former fishing village and you can still experience this today. Go back in time and join the bidding for fish in the historic Fish Auction. Feast your eyes on all the traditional (fishing) vessels in Spakenburg's Museum Harbour. See the costumes at the Costume and Fishing Museum. The costume is also still widely worn by the residents themselves. Visit the more than 100-year-old Eel Smokehouse, where fish is smoked daily. There is much more.

Visit the museum port

Choco Made - Bean to bar

  • Hand scoops raw cocoa beans from a burlap bag at Choco Made in Alphen aan den Rijn - artisanal chocolate production, Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region.
  • Rotating drum of chocolate-coated treats at Choco Made in Alphen aan den Rijn - artisanal chocolate operation, Dutch Crafts Utrecht Region.
  • Cocoa beans in a processing machine at Choco Made in Alphen aan den Rijn - artisanal chocolate process, Hollandse Ambachten Utrecht Region.

Do you taste the difference?

Are you a real chocolate lover? Then you should definitely drop in at Choco Made. Here everything is about real craftsmanship and pure taste. Everything is prepared with attention and craftsmanship, without mass production or hidden additives. So you not only know what the chocolate tastes like, but also where it comes from and how fairly it was produced.

Plan a tasting

Sheep herd Doorn - A tradition of over 5,000 years

At Schaapskudde Doorn, you will learn all about the history of shepherds on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. A tradition that has been linked to this area for 5,000 years . Do you want to know what the life of a shepherd is like? You can! Through workshops, training sessions and activities at the sheepfold, you can learn about this craft. The Sheep Flock Foundation makes this cultural heritage of lasting value in these modern times.

More info

Rock City Brewing - Want a beer?

A real passion

Here you will find young, ambitious brewers with a big heart for Amersfoort as well as for beer brewing itself. This brewery is all about craftsmanship: carefully selecting ingredients, carefully monitoring the brewing process and patiently letting the beer mature.

Plan your visit

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