Zaanse Schans Park Area

The Zaanse Schans is a neighbourhood and open-air heritage site on the east bank of the river Zaan, just north of Amsterdam, where historic windmills, wooden houses and workshops stand together. Walking through the area is free, as it is a living neighbourhood where people still reside, and the individual museums and mills charge entrance fees. The area is above all a place to walk, with the museum and mills as optional stops.

The area was created from the 1960s as a way of preserving the heritage of the Zaan region, which had been one of the first industrial districts in Europe. Old houses and mills that were threatened with demolition were moved here and rearranged along the river, so that the visitor sees a collection of buildings from different places, grouped to give a coherent picture of a traditional Zaan village. The houses are painted dark green with white window frames, with small gardens and wooden fences, and their varied gables and decorations reflect the taste of their eighteenth-century owners.

Several mills are in working order. De Kat grinds pigments, De Zoeker presses oil from seeds, Het Jonge Schaap and De Gekroonde Poelenburg are sawmills that cut timber with the power of the wind, and De Huisman grinds mustard and spices. Walking along the water, you see the sails turn and hear the creak of the machinery. Visitors can enter some of the mills, climb the galleries and watch the millers at work, and the products, such as oil and paint, are for sale.

The site also includes workshops and shops. A clog workshop demonstrates how wooden shoes are carved, a cheese farm offers tastings and a pewter foundry and other crafts add variety. A bakery museum, a pharmacy museum and the original Albert Heijn shop recall the history of the region's trades and brands. The Zaans Museum, a few steps away, gives the wider context. Cafes and restaurants provide refreshments.

The area is easily reached by train from Amsterdam to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station, followed by a short walk. It is popular and can be crowded in the middle of the day in summer, so arrive early or late. The park suits families, photographers and anyone looking for a classic Dutch scene. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring a camera and a windproof jacket.