Museum Nienoord

About the museum

The Nienoord estate in the Westerkwartier near Leek has been a cultural centre of the region for around 500 years. The ochre-yellow Borg, a noble residence in the Groningen tradition, dates back to 1525, but since its last remodelling in 1887 it looks very different from the original castle; parts of the old building can still be seen in the Grand Café on the ground floor. From 1679, Hermannus Collenius painted several large murals for the lord of the manor, Van In- und Kniphuysen, and the shell grotto was created around 1700. On 23 January 1850, a fire broke out in the orangery and spread to the coach house and courtyard, destroying many life-size family portraits.

The museum opened in the old Borg in 1958. Its core is the national collection of carriages and sleighs; in addition, a permanent exhibition on the first floor tells of the residents of the Borg and their influence on the region, including portraits of the Frisian Regiment from around 1640. The stables and carriage house on the Borgplein are still in the condition of the time of the last lord of the manor, Jonkheer Van Panhuys.

The depot reopened as a museum in 2025 after a renovation. In the exhibition "Reizen, Ambacht & Ambitie", it presents the vehicle collection as a history of travel; the renovation was also made possible by a 2024 donation from the VriendenLoterij. The museum operation today bears the name Museum Nienoord – Borg & Nationaal Rijtuigmuseum.

Highlights

• National collection of carriages, sleighs and wagons in the redesigned depot
• Ochre-yellow Borg with an exhibition on the lords of the manor and the Frisian Regiment
• Shell grotto from around 1700 and museum garden
• Ballroom with murals by Hermannus Collenius (1685)
• Orangery with museum shop and coffee corner

Permanent exhibitions

• Reizen, Ambacht & Ambitie – In the redesigned depot, the national collection of carriages and sleighs presents travel as a shared everyday experience – from trade and family visits to escape routes and the present-day limits of mobility.
• De Borg – Exhibition on the first floor of the Borg about its residents and their influence on the region, with animations, wartime stories and the portraits of the Frisian Regiment from around 1640.

Founded

1958

Director

G. Pruiksma

Admission & discounts

The ticket is valid for the Borg, depot, exhibitions, shell grotto and museum garden and is available at the ticket desk in the orangery on the Borgplein (card or cash). Free admission with the Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP card, Vriendenpas of the Vereniging Rembrandt and for friends/donors; the Museumkaart is not available on site.

Accessibility

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

The depot, the museum rooms in the garden halls and the museum garden are easily accessible; the first floor of the Borg and the Knechtenkamer in the Koetshuis can only be reached via stairs. A wheelchair and a walker are available (please reserve in advance on +31 594 512 260), plus a wheelchair at the estate's information centre. Disabled parking spaces in the estate car park; in high season a free electric cart runs across the grounds. Dogs are only allowed as assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers children's activities around the exhibitions as well as educational programmes for all school levels.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A7 (Groningen–Drachten), exit 34 Leek, then follow the signs for "Nienoord".

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Museum shop and coffee/tea machine in the orangery (no food in the museum); Grand Café Borg Nienoord on the other side of the Borgplein (separate operator, Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m.). Free lockers at the ticket desk.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 60 guests.

The Baroque Ridderzaal is an official wedding venue of the municipality of Westerkwartier (40 people). Celebrations and meetings via the Grand Café: ballroom about 60 people, garden room with terrace about 40 people, also in the Borg garden.

Plan your visit