County of Heinsberg

Man doesn’t live for work alone. Just as essential are attractive and enjoyable surroundings to give work the seasoning that makes all the difference. That’s yet another field where the County of Heinsberg serves up some very tasty dishes for you, your family and your workforce.

Let’s start with spacious living in green neighbourhoods, which here at least is a standard you can afford. It’s often families with children who fulfil their dream of a house of their own here. That has resulted in an above-average increase in the population - a trend the municipalities have encouraged by constantly developing new, attractive residential areas and improving the infrastructure.

Consequently, the number of kindergartens and schools of all types is comparable to that found in large cities. That’s not only obvious when you look at the largest grammar school in North-Rhine Westphalia, attended by some 2,000 pupils in Erkelenz.

You won’t miss out when it comes to shopping either. Buy fresh food directly from your local farmer or at the supermarket around the corner. Everything else you want is available in the shopping centres and well-stocked specialist shops.

Connoisseurs also find what they want in the County of Heinsberg, where the lively pub and restaurant scene is popular not only with the locals. Every spring, the famous asparagus served here attracts gourmets from far and wide.

An increase of just under 50 per cent in hotel capacity built in the past decade illustrates how attractive the region is for tourists. Varied landscapes with their different leisure opportunities are magnets for nature-lovers seeking relaxation. The woods, lakes and river landscapes of the Maas-Schwalm-Nette international nature park or Selfkant with its typical heath landscape are particularly popular destinations.

Everywhere you’ll encounter a varied and constantly changing programme of culture and leisure activities. Fascinating small museums, ranging from local history to farm, flax or fire brigade museums, are always worth a visit. Dotted every few kilometres there are interesting sights to discover: historic towns, old fortifications, picturesque forts, romantic castles and manors, wind and water mills. Many of these form the stylish backdrop for regular plays and concerts, poetry readings, cabaret evenings or symphony orchestra recitals.

Choice instead of boredom!

Do you want to be active after work and relax with your favourite sport? There’s a lot you can choose from: walking in the woods and landscapes of the nature reserves, stress-free cycling on a network of more than 500km of cycle paths, bathing, surfing, sailing or fishing on lakes, riding at one of the many stables or playing golf on beautiful courses. Or maybe you’d like to join in with some fellow enthusiasts? We’ll be happy to tell you where you can find "your" club in the County of Heinsberg.

Or would you rather reach for the sky? Sport pilots, ultra-light or model aircraft pilots all find ideal starting places here. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a different kind of adventure, you can travel full steam ahead with the historic Selfkant railway, take a trip in a covered wagon, watch the animals in the wildlife park, make a splash in the fun swimming pool, or really put your foot down on the cart track.

What better way to relax after so much excitement than with a good meal? Here again, you’re spoilt for choice: plain, home cooking in a country inn or haute cuisine in a gourmet haunt, or a bit of everything - you’ll acquire a taste for the County of Heinsberg.