Molen D'Arke

Molen D'Arke is a windmill in Oostkapelle, a village on the north-west coast of Walcheren, in Zeeland. Windmills were once everywhere on the island, grinding grain for bread and pumping water, and a few are still in working order. D'Arke belongs to the kind of mill that is closely tied to its village, a mill that grinds grain into flour, with a baker nearby who turns it into bread. In this case, a local bakery is associated with the mill, and the link between wind, flour and loaf is something visitors can follow from field to table.

The Zeeland mills have a character of their own. They are often stone-built towers, whitewashed or painted, with a wooden cap that can be rotated to face the wind and a gallery around the base from which the miller handles the sails. The sails themselves are covered with cloth or fitted with wooden boards, depending on the weather, and a good miller can adjust them to catch light winds or spill strong ones. A mill like this has to be worked by an experienced person, and on days when it is running, the sound of the turning sails and the rumble of the stones is memorable.

The flour milled at the site is used for baking, and visitors can buy fresh bread and pastries at the bakery, which makes a good souvenir. Because opening arrangements vary, it is best to check in advance whether the mill is working or open to visitors, and whether guided tours are offered. From outside, the mill can be admired at any time, and its outline against the sky is a favourite subject for photographers, especially at sunset when the light turns the white walls golden.

Oostkapelle itself is a pleasant place. The village has a church, cafes and shops, and it is close to the dunes and the beach, with wide sands facing the North Sea. The Terra Maris museum, which deals with nature and landscape, and Westhove Castle, with its woods and gardens, are nearby, and cycling routes link the village with Domburg, Vrouwenpolder and the Veerse Meer. The oak woods of De Manteling lie between Oostkapelle and Domburg.

The mill suits cyclists, photographers and anyone who likes traditional crafts. A stop takes half an hour, longer with a visit to the bakery. Combine it with a walk in the dunes or a visit to the museum. Check opening times and bring cash for the bakery.