Dutch Open Air Museum

The Nederlands Openluchtmuseum, or Dutch Open Air Museum, lies on a large park on the edge of Arnhem, in the province of Gelderland, and it is the national museum of everyday life and traditional culture in the Netherlands. It was founded in the early twentieth century, when rapid change in towns and villages convinced collectors and scholars that vanishing ways of life needed to be recorded. The idea was to bring typical buildings from all over the country to one place and arrange them in a landscape, so that visitors could walk through them as through a village.

The result is a collection of farmhouses, workshops, cottages, mills and other historic buildings, moved from different provinces and rebuilt on the site. Walking from one to another means crossing the regional differences of the country, from the timber houses of the Zaan district to the farmsteads of the east and the cottages of the coast. Interiors are furnished in period style, and the museum shows clothing, tools and household goods from several centuries. Costumed staff demonstrate crafts, such as baking, weaving and blacksmithing, and some buildings sell their products.

Beyond the outdoor displays, the museum has exhibition buildings that tell the broader story of Dutch life, including work, leisure, fashion, food and community. A historic tram carries visitors between sections of the park, which helps with the distances, and cafes and picnic areas make it possible to spend a full day. The exhibitions use objects, photographs and film to link past and present, and they make good use of the national collection. A Canon exhibition on Dutch history may also be part of the offer, but check what is currently on show.

Families with children find a lot to do here, from old-fashioned games and animals to workshops and seasonal events. Schools often visit, and the staff are used to explaining things for different ages. Because the park is large, comfortable shoes are important, and a rainy day is manageable because many buildings can be entered.

The museum suits families, history lovers, photographers and visitors who want to understand how ordinary Dutch people lived. It sits near Burgers' Zoo and the woods of the Veluwe, and a bus links it with Arnhem station. Check opening times and special events on the museum's website before travelling.