Flipje & Streekmuseum

Tiel lies on the north bank of the river Waal, at the centre of the Betuwe, the fruit-growing district of Gelderland. For generations the region's orchards have produced apples, pears, plums and cherries, and Tiel was the place where much of that fruit was turned into jam and tinned goods. The Flipje & Streekmuseum, the Flipje and Regional Museum, tells that story. It is a small museum with a good deal of local affection, built around the mascot the town adopted for its fruit industry.

Flipje is a cheerful little figure who appeared on the labels of products from the Tiel canning factories and became a symbol of the town. He is known across the Netherlands, and the museum presents his story with its collection of old tins, posters, advertisements and packaging. Seeing them gives a vivid idea of how brands were built in the twentieth century, and visitors of the right age often recognise labels from their own childhood. The place has a nostalgic feel, as well as a serious interest in how a regional industry grew.

The second half of the museum's name refers to regional history. Displays cover Tiel from its medieval beginnings, when it was an important trading town on the Waal, through the centuries of river trade, floods and dyke building, to the modern period. Tiel was once a member of the Hanseatic network, and its position on a major river gave it influence far beyond its size. Photographs, objects and reconstructions show the life of the town and the surrounding villages, with a particular emphasis on fruit growing and the seasonal rhythm of the orchards.

The museum suits families, partly because the displays are colourful and accessible and partly because there are activities for children. It is small enough to see in an hour or so. Accessibility is limited in places because the building has several floors, so visitors with reduced mobility should ask in advance. Check the opening times and ticket prices before going, since they change with the season.

Tiel offers more to see around the museum. The Grote Kerk rises over the old centre, the river dyke gives long views over the Waal, and the town hosts the Appelpop festival and the Fruitcorso, the parade of floats decorated with fruit and flowers. In spring the orchards in the surrounding countryside are covered in blossom, and in autumn there are roadside stalls selling fruit and juice. The area suits cyclists very well.