Experience Castricum
Things to do in Castricum by the Sea
Things to do in Castricum: nature, relaxation and enjoyment at Zoomers aan het Bos
Welcome to Zoomers aan het Bos, the place where nature, peace and hospitality come together. Located on the edge of the Noordhollands Duinreservaat and close to the beach, this is the ideal base for a day out in Castricum aan Zee.
Whether you want to walk, cycle, birdwatch, relax on the terrace or enjoy local dishes, here you will find plenty of inspiration for what to do and experience in this beautiful area.
Things to do in Castricum on the beach
♥ Taking a walk on the beach and looking for shells
Strolling along the beach and not thinking about anything for a while, just enjoying. Shoes on, or off, and go!
♥ Fishing with Gjalt
Gjalt takes you on a beach expedition. To corral is to drag a net and you will actually do that. Your find, the treasures, are going to be viewed together. Super fun for young and old. read more..
♥ The Zoomers shop
In our beach store you will find the HKliving items you also see on the room. Here you buy the nicest gifts for yourself or for the home front. There is also a food boutique with all kinds of goodies for the room.
♥ Yoga lessons at zee
Anita teaches yoga by the sea. Lovely to start or end the day with.. read more…
In and around castricum
♥ House of Hilde (see photo to the right)
A veritable archaeological museum that was even nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award in 2017. read more…
♥ Hof van Kijk-Uit
A forest cafe and workshop with day care for people with disabilities. read more…
♥ Pluktuin
Here you can pick your own flowers and make a beautiful bouquet. read more..
♥ Petting Farm ‘t Dierenduintje
Cozy petting zoo run by volunteers. read more…
♥ Streekmarket Bakkum
Every Wednesday there is a cozy market with all kinds of organic local products. read more…
De Hoep
Visitor Center “De Hoep” in Castricum (pictured here) is an educational center with changing interactive exhibits. Fun for children and informative for adults. You can learn all about water purification and the dunes of North Holland.
In addition, numerous activities are organized from this center. Such as the tour of the dune magician, the assistant forester, garden tours, and awareness walks.
♥ Boardwalk | Natural ice rink (see photo opposite)
From the Hoeptuin you can walk straight to the plank path. Here you can take a lovely walk. Take a rug, a basket or bag with goodies and find a nice spot. Oh, and in winter it is a natural ice rink, how special! read more…
And for the little ones:
♥ Play forrest
If you walk into the woods at Johanna’s hof, you’ll find on your right a wonderful place to build huts and use your imagination. read more..
♥ Hoep kabouterpad
From the Hoep runs a real gnome trail (2km). Children receive a route description and a backpack full of exciting assignments and materials. A real experience for the children. read more…
Landgoed Dijk & Duin
This historic estate used to be an asylum and is fun to walk around. You will find national monuments such as “the little white church” and the “water tower,” as well as beautiful homes and lots of greenery. Especially nice:
♥ De Oude Keuken
A fine restaurant where they allow people distanced from the labor market to gain work experience.
♥ Bak’m
This bakery bakes delicious bread, cookies & cakes with natural, organic and as many local ingredients as possible. Bak’m also works with people attending day care or internships at their facility. Our personal favorite here is the oat cake!
♥ Second-hand plant store
Run by people from care facility Dijk en Duin, this store has plants and other fun second-hand products for sale.
North Holland dune reserve
The North Holland Dune Reserve (NHD) is one of the largest nature reserves in our country. It extends from Wijk aan Zee to the Schoorl Dunes. That makes it about 20 kilometers long and 2.5 km wide, with an area of 5300 hectares. In the dunes of Castricum and Heemskerk, drinking water has traditionally been made for North Holland.
Here life is green. You find true peace, in your head and around you. You experience beautiful little things that touch you. Like a heartfelt greeting during a walk through the rich dune landscape.
♥ Hiking trails
Nearly 50 marked hiking trails run through our dune areas. The ideal way to get acquainted with the North Holland Dune Reserve. The shortest route is 2 kilometers and the longest 17, so something for everyone. read more…
♥ Dune Lake
Beautiful hiking trail around the dune lake. read more…
♥ Cycling around infiltration area
Cycling through the dunes to the water infiltration area – North Holland’s drinking water supply. read more…
♥ View Tower Papenberg (see photo to the right)
From the watchtower you have a wonderful distant view! There are two viewing directions: to the east you have a view of Castricum and to the west you look out over the dunes and sea. The wind roses on both sides point to various reference points in the area, such as Heemskerk, Uitgeest, Egmond aan Zee. read more..
♥ Out and about with forest ranger Evert jan Woudsma
Evert Jan lets you experience nature as only a (former) forester can. Fun for young and old. Oh, he also has a nice instagram page, so be sure to follow m! read more..
A little further?
♥ Stichting Oerij
Walking or cycling expedition through the landscape around Uitgeest, Castricum and Heemskerk. read more…
♥ Alpaca eco farm
The name gives it away: at this farm you can do all kinds of things with alpacas. They work here with day care and volunteers and do everything in a sustainable way. read more..
Anything further?
♥ Boat rental
Uitgeest and Akersloot are a port of entry to the Uitgeester and Alkmaarder Lake. You can rent a canoe or boat here to explore the area. At one of the marinas you can then moor for some goodies. read more..
♥ Still looking for more hustle and bustle?
Alkmaar, Haarlem and Amsterdam are just around the corner
On the Current Agenda you can see what fun things are being organized in the municipality of Castricum in the coming week/month.
If you try to consciously take time for everything you do,
you will notice that you feel more peace in your life.
Do you allow yourself that? Because we do! ♥