According to Iamaccepted.com, Bocholt is a German city that, thanks to its location just across the Dutch-German border, can count on quite a few Dutch visitors. Bocholt is not a big city with less than a hundred thousand inhabitants, but it is big enough to visit it. Bocholt is an old town. According to history, Bocholt already obtained city rights in the year 1222. The elevation to a city served to secure the prince-bishop’s power in the west of the diocese.
For people from the Gelderse Achterhoek, Bocholt primarily has an important function as a shopping city. Especially on Saturdays you see many Dutch license plates in and around the city center of Bocholt. There is little to do on Sundays when it comes to shopping, unless a Sunday shopping is organized in Bocholt. That only happens every now and then. On the other hand, much larger shops are open until the evening on other days, including Saturdays.
In addition to the shopping opportunities, Bocholt also has a number of sights worth seeing. We wouldn’t drive to Germany especially for it, but if you’re in Bocholt anyway, it’s good to know what there is to see and do. We have listed the top 10 sights of Bocholt for you.
Top 10 attractions in Bocholt
#1. Old Town Hall
Bocholt’s historic town hall is one of the most important historic buildings and is the symbol of the city of Bocholt. Today, the town hall is no longer in use as such. The city council moved to the New City Hall in 1977 to manage the municipality from there. The old town hall continues to beautify the Markt in Bocholt as a monumental building. The lower floor now has a catering function.
The symmetrically designed facade was conceived at the beginning of the seventeenth century. In 1622 the construction of the town hall was largely finished. The architectural style can best be described as Dutch Renaissance style. On March 22, 1945, the town hall was badly damaged in a major air raid and burned down to the outer walls. After the war, the building was rebuilt as true to nature as possible.
#2. LWL Industrial Museum TextilWerk Bocholt
For centuries the textile industry has played an important role within the Bocholt community. Since the sixteenth century, money has been made with the traditional manufacture of textiles. During the industrial revolution, these processes were largely automated. A large part of the textile factories have now disappeared, as have the associated jobs. LWL-Industriemuseum TextilWerk Bocholt is an educational museum that is dedicated to the once great textile industry that was present here in Bocholt. The fascinating museum is part of LWL: an association established of museums about industrial history with branches in eight different places, including Bocholt.
#3. Aasee
The Aasee is located on the eastern side of Bocholt. This is an artificial lake that has a water surface of approximately 32 hectares. The Aasee is an important recreational area for both locals and tourists. It is not for nothing that a parking space suitable for campers has been created west of the lake. A park zone has been created around the lake. The beach is the most popular part of the Aasee. If they want to cooperate a little with the sun and the temperatures, it can get quite busy in this beloved spot.
#4. Saint George’s Church
The St.-Georgs-Kirche is located in the center of Bocholt, a stone’s throw from the old town hall. This Roman Catholic church was rebuilt after being destroyed in a British bomber attack in 1945. During the reconstruction efforts were made to preserve the original Gothic character of the church built in the sixteenth century. The Bocholter Cross is the most important part of Saint George’s Church. Dating from the early fourteenth century, this Gothic forked crucifix is still the center of a regional pilgrimage.
#5. Bocholt City Museum
Since 1992 you can discover the history, art and culture of Bocholt in the Stadtmuseum Bocholt. This city museum is located in a monumental building designed in an Art Deco style. The exhibits are spread over four floors. You can discover the origin and geology of the Aa valley, see how Bocholt came into existence and how the city developed over the years into what it is today. Part of the museum is devoted to the economic and social history of the twentieth century. Of course, local arts and crafts are also featured in this interesting museum.
#6. Shopping Arcade
A fairly large part of the center of Bocholt is designed for shopping. Car-free zones make it as pleasant as possible for shoppers. If you want to avoid the not always ideal weather conditions in addition to the daily traffic, then Shopping Arkaden is the place to be. This is a beautiful indoor shopping center where there is something for everyone. It is not a huge shopping center, but the range of shops is varied.
#7. Bocholt city forest
Northwest of the built-up area there is plenty of greenery where you can enjoy a walk or relax in another way. Stadtwald Bocholt is a 69 hectare city forest. There are various marked walking routes that take you through forests, along water and animals. With a bit of luck you can spot one of the flamingos or cranes that can be found here.
#8. Ambachtsmuseum
The Bocholter Handswerksmuseum takes you through six centuries of craft history. On an area of more than seven hundred square meters you can get acquainted with 28 different crafts that were practiced here in the past. Most of these crafts have disappeared over time. Who needs a cartsmith or linen maker these days? Please note that the Artisan Museum is only open for a limited time. According to the latest information, that would be on Thursdays and Sundays, but check that yourself before you drive to Bocholt for it.
#9. Island bath BAHIA
On the north side of Bocholt is Inselbad BAHIA. This subtropical swimming paradise is attractive for all ages. You can go down three water slides inside and one outside. This pool also has a rapids pool, a paddling pool and of course a competition pool. It is somewhat smaller than the swimming pools you are used to at Center Parcs, but Inselbad BAHIA is especially well appreciated by families with children. In addition to swimming pools, Inselbad BAHIA also offers saunas in which you can relax.
#10. Mansion Word
The now privately owned Herenhuis Woord is one of the most beautiful buildings you will see in Bocholt. The building, built in classical style, originally dates from 1795. Unfortunately, Haus Woord was destroyed so badly during the Second World War that only some rubble remained. The path was rebuilt in 1949, with the original building serving as a blueprint. Unfortunately you can only view Haus Woord from the outside these days and it is not open for visitors.
