Hoogovensmuseum

About the museum

The Hoogovensmuseum tells the story of the steel company in IJmuiden. The Koninklijke Nederlandsche Hoogovens- en Staalfabrieken was founded in 1918, and through Hoogovens Estel, the Hoogovens Groep and Corus it became today's Tata Steel. The museum, which has existed since 2009, is housed in a former bath and changing building that was once intended for around 1,000 employees, and stands right next to the works site. It is run by the Stichting Industrieel Erfgoed Hoogovens (SIEHO), which also publishes the magazine "Historisch Hoogovens"; in August 2026 the museum was entered in the Dutch museum register.

Inside the building, models of factories and plants, hundreds of objects and many photos, films and animations show how steel was made in the IJmond region and who worked there. A timeline from 1917 to the present records important milestones, such as the founding of the works fire brigade and the pension fund or the commissioning of the continuous casting and rolling plant. In the museum hall stand scale models of a continuous annealing line, blast furnaces 4 and 5 and hot strip mill 1, as well as 1:1 models of blast furnace 3 and a cold rolling mill; a steel ingot in its original size hangs from the ceiling.

Outside, ingot moulds, ladles and the top of a blast furnace give an impression of the means of production. Since 2022 there has also been a model railway that reproduces the traffic on the works site, and a discovery area for children about technology and science. The museum is a member of the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH).

Highlights

• Models of blast furnaces, annealing line, cold rolling mill and hot strip mill
• Timeline of Hoogovens history from 1917 to the present
• Outdoor area with ingot moulds, ladles and a blast furnace top
• Model railway of the works traffic
• "Ontdekplek" discovery area for children with technology experiments
• Coffee or tea and a film included in the admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung zur Geschichte von Hoogovens bis Tata Steel – Models, objects, photos and films on steelmaking in the IJmond region, with a timeline and outdoor area.
• Ontdekplek – Experiment stations where children can try out technology and science for themselves.
• Modelleisenbahn des Werksverkehrs – Since 2022 a model railway has shown rail traffic on the works site with blast furnace and steelworks.

Founded

2009

Operated by

Stichting Industrieel Erfgoed Hoogovens (SIEHO)

Admission & discounts

Coffee or tea and the film are included in the admission. Please pay by card (PIN) or contactless where possible.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible to wheelchair users; two wheelchairs are available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

In the "Ontdekplek" children can try out experiments on magnetism, hydraulics and pneumatics, gears, levers, heat conduction and electric circuits; there is also a film, a 3D printer and information on nature at Hoogovens.

Getting there & parking

From the direction of Haarlem, Amsterdam and Utrecht, take the A9 towards Alkmaar to the Velsertunnel exit (A22), and after the tunnel follow the "Tata Steel" signs; from the direction of Alkmaar, take the A9 towards Haarlem and join the A22 at the Beverwijk interchange. For satnav: Buizenweg, Velsen-Noord.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small shop with books on the company's history and tableware printed with the "Hoogovenster" motif; stock is limited, so it is advisable to call ahead.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit