Grachten van Meppel (Meppel’s Canals)

The Grachten van Meppel, or Meppel's canals, are the waterways that run through the old centre of this Drenthe town, and they explain why Meppel exists where it does. The town lies at a point where several important channels meet, linking Drenthe with the Zuiderzee region and the rest of the country. In earlier centuries, peat, timber, grain and other goods were moved along these waterways, and Meppel grew as a trading and transport town, with warehouses, wharves and shipyards along the banks.

Today the canals give the town its character. Tree-lined quays, arched bridges and gabled houses are reflected in the water, and many former warehouses have been converted into cafes, shops and galleries. A walk along the banks is the best way to see them. The route is short and flat, with quiet corners suited to a picnic and livelier spots where terraces overlook the water. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light for photographs, when the gables are lit warmly and the water is still.

The canals are also used for leisure. In summer, small boats, canoes and rowing boats move along the water, and boat tours are sometimes offered for those who want to see the town from a different angle. Canoeing in the surrounding area is popular, since the same network of waterways connects to the wider Drenthe and Overijssel landscape, including the water village of Giethoorn, which lies a short distance away. The canal network is also a backdrop for local festivals and events.

The town has other places worth including in a visit. The Meppeler Toren is a tower in the centre and a local landmark, the Drukkerijmuseum tells the story of printing, and the weekly market on Thursdays fills the Kerkplein with stalls of food and flowers. Bad Hesselingen offers swimming and recreation, and the railway station is close, which makes Meppel an easy stop between Zwolle and Groningen or Leeuwarden.

The canals suit walkers, photographers, cyclists and anyone who likes to explore a Dutch town at a gentle pace. Allow an hour or two for a stroll, longer if you stop for coffee or lunch on the water. They are most enjoyable in spring and summer, when the terraces are open, though the town is atmospheric in autumn light too.