Villas in Ruinen

About Ruinen

Ruinen is a village of around 3,400 people in the De Wolden municipality of Drenthe, low-lying country about eight metres above sea level. It was first mentioned in 1139. The church tower was built in 1423, and the De Zaandplatte windmill, rebuilt in 1964, is open to the public. The draw is Dwingelderveld National Park, about 3,700 hectares of heath, fens, woods and shifting sands, the largest contiguous area of wet heathland in north-west Europe. Our homes are grouped inside roughly a kilometre, around the village. Some have a private pool, a few a sauna, and fewer than a third have a garden. Evenings are village-quiet.

Is Ruinen right for you?

Best for

Families and cyclists wanting heath and woods from the door

Not for you if

You want a beach, nightlife or a choice of restaurants, because this is a quiet inland village.

Near Ruinen

• Dwingelderveld National Park

  About 3,700 hectares of heath, fens and woods with more than 60 fens and peat bogs, a national park since 1991.

• Hoogeveen

  Town about 10 km south-east of Ruinen, the bigger place to head for when the village is too small.

• Meppel

  Railway town on the Intercity line from Amsterdam Zuid; bus 32 runs from the station to the centre of Ruinen.

• De Zaandplatte windmill

  Windmill in the village, rebuilt in 1964 and open to the public.

Getting to Ruinen

Amsterdam Schiphol is the practical airport, and Amsterdam is about an hour and three quarters away by road. Without a car, take the Intercity to Meppel and bus 32 to Ruinen, about three hours from Amsterdam. Bikes cover most local trips.

When to go to Ruinen

Dwingelderveld has a different colour in every season, with heather and bell heather flowering on the heath. In summer you can ride a covered wagon across the heath or watch sheep-herding demonstrations. Look out for many species of colourful dragonflies. Out of season the village is quiet, so check which cafes and shops are open.

Ruinen villa holidays: questions answered