Berumerfehn: Moorland, Mills and Fen Culture

Berumerfehn combines raised bog, woodland and an accessible history of fenland development. Those looking for a mixture of culture, nature and activity for their holiday will find a range of options here: you can learn about the history of peat extraction, see historic buildings, explore Berumerfehn Forest on foot or plan the 32-kilometre “Ewiges Meer Route” by bicycle. This allows you to choose a holiday apartment based on your own travel interests without limiting your stay to just one type of experience.

Moorland and Settlement at the Forest and Moor Museum

An important starting point for exploring Berumerfehn is the Berumerfehn Forest and Moor Museum. It is located in a former village school building on the edge of the raised bog, directly beside the forest. Its subject matter includes the formation of the moor, peat extraction, the settlement of Berumerfehn, as well as environmental and nature conservation. School classes and groups can receive guided tours by prior arrangement. For visitors who would like to begin their holiday with an accessible insight into the landscape and local history, the museum therefore provides a clear thematic introduction.

Fenland History in Buildings and Waterways

Several buildings make the development of the village tangible. The Kompaniehaus in Berumerfehn is a listed building. The present building was constructed in 1830 as a place of recreation for the members of the Norder Fehn-Societät after they had completed a half-day journey from Norden to Norderfehn. The Kompaniehaus also includes an ice cellar, which was used more than 100 years ago to cool drinks and food.

The village church, also known as the Berumerfehn Church, is another part of the local landscape. It was completed in 1895. The Berumerfehn Canal was dug from 1794 onwards so that peat could be transported to Norden by water. Because the water level of the Berumerfehn Moor was ten metres higher than the water level of the Norder Galgentief, chamber locks known as Verlaate were necessary for peat shipping.

Another prominent testament to the region’s history is the Rote Mühle Berumerfehn. The two-storey gallery Dutch windmill has a ridge height of 20.50 metres and was rebuilt in 1937 using parts of a mill from Carolinensiel. The mill is still used to grind grain for animal feed. It therefore represents not only the village’s past but also an ongoing use.

On Foot, by Bicycle or on the Peat Boat

For active days during your holiday, Berumerfehn Forest can be explored on foot. Those who prefer a longer route by bicycle can include the “Ewiges Meer Route” in their plans. The 32-kilometre circular cycle route leads around the former extent of this raised-bog region. The Pfahlgott Berumerfehn stands along the route. It marks ten information-board locations with interesting facts about the moor and its history.

A peat-boat trip on the Mittelwieke offers a different perspective. Excursions on the historic peat boat “Selika” are possible in Berumerfehn. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between a cycle tour, a walk and a journey on the water, each offering a different focus. The Norder Fehngesellschaft monument stands beside a small lake in Berumerfehn Forest and commemorates the founders of Norder Vehn.

The Right Holiday Apartment for Planning Your Trip

When looking for accommodation in Berumerfehn, it is worth first deciding what kind of stay you want. For a cultural and historical trip, the museum, Kompaniehaus, mill, canal and church can form the main focus. Those who want to combine activity and landscape can include the circular cycle route or a walk in the forest in their plans. The peat-boat trip adds a historic experience on the water. If several interests come together, these themes can be spread across several days of your holiday.

For further regional searches, you can also visit Arle.

For the higher-level travel overview: Großheide.