Lochem
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Lochem

Lochem

Quiet Achterhoek town surrounded by forests, estates, heathland, and the wooded Lochemse Berg ridge.

Lochem is a quiet town in the Achterhoek region of the eastern Netherlands, surrounded by forests, heathland, and country estates. The Achterhoek is one of the greenest corners of the country, and Lochem sits right in the middle of it — a good base for cycling and walking through the wooded landscape. The Lochemse Berg, the ridge of woods south of the town, is the only meaningful elevation for many miles around.

The town itself is compact and pleasant, with the medieval Gudulakerk, a 17th-century stadhuis on the market square, and the kind of unhurried atmosphere that draws Dutch families for long weekends. The country estates of Ampsen and Verwolde, and a quiet stretch of the Twentekanaal, are all within a short bike ride.

Guide

Bars and Cafes

The Markt is where Lochem drinks. A row of cafes and terraces wraps the square, busy from late afternoon onwards and very busy on summer Saturdays. Look out for the local craft beer producers — small Achterhoek breweries supply most of the better bars in town.

Guide

Eating Out

The market square has the usual cluster of brown cafes serving croquettes, pannenkoeken and reasonable kitchen menus into the evening. A small handful of better restaurants give Lochem more range than its size suggests; the Achterhoek's good farm produce — pork, asparagus in season, soft cheeses — turns up regularly on menus.

Guide

Getting Around

The town centre is small enough to cross on foot in ten minutes. For the country estates, the canal and the Lochemse Berg, a bicycle is by far the easiest option — Lochem is on the dense Achterhoek cycling-junction network (knooppuntenroute) and rental bikes are available near the station.

Guide

Getting There

Lochem is on the railway line between Zutphen and Hengelo — direct trains link it to both cities in around 20 minutes, and further connections from Zutphen reach Arnhem and Apeldoorn quickly. From Amsterdam, allow about 1 hour 45 minutes with one change at Zutphen or Deventer.

By road, Lochem sits a few kilometres off the A1 and the N346. Cars from anywhere in the central or western Netherlands can reach it in under two hours.

Guide

Things to Do

Lochem is a town of modest scale and quiet pleasures. A walk around the compact old centre with its medieval church and 17th-century stone houses fills an afternoon; the surrounding country estates, woods and the Twentekanaal supply most of the reason for staying longer. The Lochemse Berg, the wooded ridge south of town, is the only "mountain" in the eastern Netherlands and is laced with walking paths.