Nottuln: Historic Centre, Bells and Trails

Around St. Martin’s Church, Nottuln’s historic centre features sandstone, brick and half-timbered façades. The different materials shape the townscape. After the fire disaster of 1748, Johann Conrad Schlaun rebuilt the town centre. A stroll through the centre therefore combines visible architectural history with the distinctive character of a place that has grown over time.

Church, Craft and Market Life

A tour of St. Martin’s Church includes climbing up to the church bells and a demonstration of the traditional Beiern bell-ringing technique. Check the tour’s availability before your trip. The craft of blue-dyeing is also part of Nottuln’s cultural identity: since early December 2018, it has been part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Martinimarkt was first mentioned in a document in 1622. Held over three days in the historic centre, it combines a modern funfair with a general market and an arts and crafts village. Exact dates vary each year. The three-day wine festival at Stiftsplatz also offers wines from German wine-growing regions and food. The music ranges from brass bands and big band sounds to jazz and pop; dates and performing artists vary from year to year.

Trails, Countryside and Views

Nottuln lies in the gently rolling Baumberge hills. The Longinusturm is a 32-metre-high observation tower with a viewing platform at a height of 24 metres. The view extends beyond the Westphalian Bay. The tower has been a listed monument since 1991 and is entered on the Nottuln municipal heritage list under the designation A101.

The Low German Trail begins at Stiftsplatz in the historic centre. The 4.7-kilometre loop passes twelve stops featuring texts in Low German. The trail therefore focuses not only on the route but also on the regional language.

The SteverLandRoute is a family cycling trail in the Münsterland region. It runs from the source of the Stever in the town of Nottuln to its confluence with the Lippe near Haltern am See. Children can explore the route with their own cycling map, collect coins and solve puzzles. At interactive stops, everyone can discover, try things out or enjoy a picnic together.

For a different kind of group activity, Nottuln’s outdoor wave pool offers two beach volleyball courts, a toddlers’ pool, a mud-play area and a playground with a climbing tower. So, alongside trails and views, there are also opportunities to play and be active.

Coesfeld as the Wider Regional Setting

In the wider destination of Coesfeld, the district is distinguished by an exceptionally high density of palaces, castles and historic country estates. The district of Coesfeld’s extensive cycling network includes several hundred kilometres of well-maintained routes. They connect towns, municipalities and districts and pass through the Münsterland park landscape. The numbered junction network, with its freely selectable sequences of numbers, makes flexible route planning possible. Check the conditions on the relevant routes locally before setting out on a cycling tour.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

The two routes offer different experiences: the Low German Trail is a 4.7-kilometre loop with twelve language stops; the SteverLandRoute is a family cycling trail with its own cycling map, coins and puzzles for children. Consider whether a language-focused walk or cycling with interactive activities is more likely to shape your stay. This focus can also be a good starting point when looking for accommodation in Nottuln.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Dülmen, Coesfeld, Senden, Nordkirchen, Olfen, Ascheberg, Billerbeck, Rosendahl.

To the wider travel overview: Coesfeld.