Nature district Nieuwegein

The Nature Quarter is located in the beautiful Stadspark Oudegein (90 ha and bigger than the Vondelpark!). A unique green area in the middle of city stones; you hardly feel like you are in the heart of a city here. An immersion in nature and culture. An encounter with plants and animals and how people used to live here.

It is the location of Museum Warsenhoeck, Children's Farm IJsselstee, Poldermolen Oudegein and the Environmental Education Centre (MEC). The Nature Quarter is an exploration of what is very close by. You can discover all kinds of things about the plants and animals and cultural history of Nieuwegein and its surroundings. Natuurkwartier is the departure point for active, fun and educational outdoor activities. Here you experience how special your own living environment is.

Museum Warsenhoeck
Museum Warsenhoeck is housed in the historical farm IJsselstee located in the Natuurkwartier. The historic farmhouse was extensively restored and opened to the public in 1990. When the museum was designed, the original farm function of the building was restored. There are permanent and themed exhibitions on the history of the villages of Jutphaas and Vreeswijk and the medieval town of Gein. Unique are the finds from prehistoric times, such as utensils from 200,000 years ago from Jutphaas. Museum Warsenhoeck also has utensils and tools from the former farm on display, taking us back to farming three centuries ago. There is an extensive photo exhibition with images from the Historical Circle Nieuwegein's image archive. Changing exhibitions of mostly Nieuwegein artists offer a multifaceted view of contemporary art.

IJsselstee petting zoo
The sheep at IJsselstee petting zoo welcome you from its orchard. Walking around the petting zoo's yard, you will encounter all kinds of animals. It is important to make contact between people and animals possible. These encounters are particularly instructive. After all, knowledge and experience create awareness and the pursuit of a liveable earth.

Poldermolen Oudegein
The Oudegeinse Poldermolen, managed by the Utrechts Landschap Foundation, is a teeter-totter mill. It is open weekly on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. Visitors are also welcome when the mill is running at other times. The mill has three volunteer millers. Ton van der Heiden and Heiko Prak turn on Wednesdays, Frank van der Lecq on Sundays. Frank also manages the pear orchard next to the mill.

Milieu Educatie Centrum
At the Milieu Educatie Centrum (MEC ), the themes of nature and sustainability are the capstone of all kinds of educational and recreational activities, aiming to increase sustainable behaviour. Lectures, courses, excursions and exhibitions offer plenty of opportunities for young and old here. You can discover all kinds of things here about the plants and animals and the cultural history of Nieuwegein and its surroundings.

The Stadspark is located along a busy canal, (the Doorslag) that goes to IJsselstein and Utrecht. Besides high nature value, the City Park also provides many recreational opportunities. Centrally located in Stadspark Oudegein is the Nature Quarter, which consists of four parts: Museum Warsenhoeck, the Wipmill of the Oudegein polder, the children's farm and the Environmental Education Centre. Lectures, courses, excursions and exhibitions offer plenty of opportunities for young and old here. You can discover all kinds of things here about the plants and animals and the cultural history of Nieuwegein and its surroundings. Visit www.natuurkwartier.nl for more information and the agenda of activities in the Nature Quarter.