Leek

Leek is a village in the municipality of Westerkwartier, approximately 15 km west of Groningen city, with a population of around 7,000. It lies on the edge of the Drents-Friese Wold National Park and the historic estate of Nienoord. Leek developed as an agricultural village, but today is best known for Nienoord, a 16th-century estate with a manor house, formal gardens, a park, and a family-friendly theme park (Nienoord Park).

By Plane

Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ) is 25 km south (30 min by car). Schiphol (AMS) is 2.5 hours by train via Groningen and a bus connection.

By Train

There is no railway station in Leek. Buses from Groningen (line 3/3b) run every 15 minutes, journey time 30 minutes.

By Car / Road

From Groningen, take the A7 west, exit Leek (15 km, 15 minutes). Parking is available at Nienoord and in the village centre.

Leek is small enough to walk around. A bicycle is useful for exploring the Nienoord estate and surrounding countryside.

• Nienoord Estate — A 16th-century manor house (rebuilt in the 19th century) set in a 200-hectare estate of parkland, gardens, and forest. The main building houses a carriage museum (National Rijtuigenmuseum) with a collection of historic horse-drawn carriages (€8, Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00).

• Nienoord Park (Family Park) — A small theme park on the estate with a playground, miniature railway, pedal boats, and a 400-metre-long 'vlotbos' (raft forest) adventure trail. Ideal for families with young children (€12 adults, €9 children, April–October).

• Leek Church (Matthias Church) — A 13th-century Romanesque church on the village square, with a freestanding bell tower.

• Westerkwartier countryside — The area around Leek is typical of the Groningen Westerkwartier, with a mix of open farmland, forest patches, and characteristic 'tweeling' (twin) farmsteads.

• Visit Nienoord Estate — Spend a day exploring the carriage museum, walking the estate park, and enjoying the family park.

• Cycling in the Westerkwartier — The countryside around Leek offers excellent cycling with signposted routes through the forested estate and past working windmills.

• Walk the Nienoord arboretum — The estate gardens contain an arboretum with rare tree species, a pond, and a Japanese garden.

• Brasserie Nienoord — Located on the estate, serving lunch and high tea with views of the gardens (lunch €10–16, reservations recommended for high tea).
• De Eetkamer — A cosy restaurant on the village square, serving Dutch-French bistro classics (mains €15–22).
• Pannenkoekenhuis Leek — A pancake house on the edge of the village, popular with families, offering sweet and savoury Dutch pancakes (€5–12).

• Café De Harmonie — The main village pub on the square, serving local beers and a friendly atmosphere.
• Café Nienoord — The café on the estate grounds, ideal for a coffee after visiting the museum.

• Mid-range — Hotel Restaurant Nienoord (doubles from €85), on the estate grounds.
• Budget — B&B Leek (doubles from €60), guesthouse in the village centre.
• Self-catering — Several holiday cottages in the Westerkwartier countryside (from €70/night).

• Groningen — 15 km east, the provincial capital.
• Drents-Friese Wold National Park — 10 km south, heathland and forest with hiking trails.
• Pieterburen — 30 km north, seal rehabilitation centre and Wadden Sea coast.
• Leeuwarden (Fryslân) — 35 km west via the A7, the Frisian capital.