Leopoldshöhe

Leopoldshöhe can be explored through a variety of themes: farming history at Heimathof, a striking church, historic farmsteads and routes through the countryside. When choosing accommodation, it may help to first consider whether cultural history, nature or a cycling tour will shape your trip. The places and activities here provide useful starting points.

Heimathof: Museum, everyday life and history

The Leopoldshöhe local history museum is housed in the main building of the former Eickmeyer farm, a four-bay half-timbered building dating from 1793. The former Heimathof farmhouse was restored and converted into a museum from 1996 onwards at the initiative of the local history association; it opened in 1999. The earliest known documentary mention of Heimathof dates from the Everstein feud at the beginning of the 15th century. Visits to the museum are possible by arrangement.

On display are objects from various aspects of rural life and work over the past 150 years or so. A separate exhibition room is dedicated to local wildlife and features numerous specimens of birds and mammals. A computer-controlled system can be used to play the calls of many of these animals. In this way, everyday history and knowledge of nature sit side by side in the museum.

Heimathof also includes a large orchard and a wooded area, which are maintained and cared for by the Leopoldshöhe local history association. An educational apiary was completed at Heimathof in summer 2024. It is intended for aspiring beekeepers, school and children's groups, and other interested visitors. Anyone with questions about using it can contact the municipality.

The Leopoldshöhe local history association and the Leopoldshöhe tractor enthusiasts jointly organize, among other events, an apple and potato festival and a threshing festival featuring many historic tractors and pieces of equipment. Since renovation work at Heimathof was completed in 1993, the bakehouse and barbecue area have been used for various events.

Church and historic farm complex

The interior of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Leopoldshöhe is laid out as a stepped, three-aisled hall church. The nave is significantly higher than the two side aisles. The church's architectural significance extends beyond Leopoldshöhe: it served as a model for other churches in Lippe designed by the same architect.

Gut Niederbarkhausen is another historic farm complex in Leopoldshöhe. It was first mentioned in a document in 1036 as a table estate of Bishop Meinwerk and at the time was one of the larger episcopal farm estates, with five outlying farms. The estate includes a manor house, a coach house, a stable, and farm buildings, as well as a fortified farmhouse and a half-timbered building, the former brewery. The fortified farmhouse is a stone granary built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The complex adds another, much older chapter to the history of the rural area.

Nature and cycling

The Heipker See nature reserve is located in Krentrup, a district of the municipality of Leopoldshöhe. The orchard and wooded area at Heimathof are well-maintained features of the grounds. Leopoldshöhe's nature attractions therefore include both a designated nature reserve and landscape features directly associated with Heimathof.

Cyclists have two different starting points to choose from: the Tichleroute, a cycling route funded by LEADER that passes through three regions, starts at Heimathof Leopoldshöhe. For shorter sections of the “Around Leopoldshöhe” cycling tour, however, the market square is a suitable starting and ending point. Those planning days out by bike can choose between a route starting at Heimathof and shorter sections for which the market square is the recommended starting point.

Whether you are especially interested in farm history, architecture, local wildlife or a cycling tour, these highlights can help guide your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Barntrup, Dörentrup, Detmold, Hörstmar, Lemgo, Horn-Bad Meinberg, Schieder-Schwalenberg, Extertal.

Return to the main travel overview: Lippe.