Westerkappeln: Nature, Local Life and Culture

Westerkappeln combines nature trails with a town centre whose outstanding landmark is the listed town church. Along the nature trail, wet meadows, bodies of water, wooded areas, orchards and pollarded willows shape the landscape; in town, the church square and other art and cultural themes add to the picture. This brings together walks, a square with something for a range of interests, and historical discoveries as distinct highlights. If you are looking for accommodation, you can consider whether your trip will focus mainly on nature, local life, or both.

Experience the landscape along different routes

Wet meadows, bodies of water, wooded areas, orchards and pollarded willows line the Westerkappeln Nature Trail. The megalithic, or large stone, tomb known as the “Sloopsteine” is another striking feature along the route. The landscape features alternate, giving the trail its distinctive focus on nature.

The long circular trail through Westerkappeln offers a different perspective. It runs mostly along paved paths and leads from the north of the municipality through the “Düsterdieker Niederung” bird sanctuary and nature reserve to the protected areas in the hilly south, known as “Mettener Schweiz”. The two routes therefore pass through different landscapes: meadows, bodies of water and wooded areas line the nature trail, while the circular route connects the protected areas in the north and south.

The town church and church square in the town centre

The town church, which is a listed building, was first mentioned in the 12th century. Originally Romanesque, it has been remodelled several times over the years. As the outstanding focal point of local life, it is an important reference point when exploring the town centre; its long history also offers insight into the building’s development.

The church square by the Protestant town church was redesigned in 2013 and is accessible to people with disabilities. The square features a water play area, a small playground and outdoor dining. The water feature offers a refreshing break in the summer months, and the square hosts many events throughout the year. The playground is another place to stop when you are out with children.

At Kreuzplatz stands the fountain with the “Golden Hare”. It was created in 2003 based on a design by conceptual artist Heinrich Brummack, adding a tangible example of modern public art to the sights of the town centre.

Geocaching, art and architectural history

The Schachselwiesen premium walking trail has a geocaching tour for children; the corresponding treasure map is available from the Tourist Information Centre. This adds an activity to the walking routes that combines being out in nature with a treasure hunt.

The Bilderlager at Bahnhofstraße 5 in the town centre displays a collection of around 600 works in memory of Westerkappeln artist Gustav Künnemann. Visits with a guide must be arranged in advance. The former Haus Cappeln manor is on the north-western edge of Westerkappeln. The stately estate is designed in the Renaissance style and has a moat and gardens around the building.

The Velpe watermill offers another aspect of the town: organically grown grain is milled there using water power and then baked into wholemeal bread in a stone oven. The journey from grain to finished bread adds a glimpse of local production to the nature and culture themes.

The wider setting: Steinfurt

The wider travel destination of Steinfurt opens up a varied holiday region in the Münsterland. The district of Steinfurt is characterised by parkland with numerous manor houses, moated castles, monasteries and palaces. The 100 Castles Route connects significant architectural monuments in the district of Steinfurt. For your travel planning, this regional perspective complements Westerkappeln’s specific nature, local-life and culture themes with further possibilities to consider when choosing your focus.

Discover more destinations: Hopsten, Tecklenburg, Ibbenbüren, Altenberge, Wettringen, Metelen, Lienen, Lengerich.

For the wider travel overview: Steinfurt.