Nederlands Watermuseum

About the museum

The origins of the building go back to 1404, when the grain water mill of the Agnieten convent, known as the St. Agnieten-Begijnenwatermolen, is first documented on the Sint Jansbeek. The stream is where the city of Arnhem began; ten mills once stood here. After milling ended in 1913, the building served as a trout farm for the Heidemaatschappij and later as a restaurant; the name “Aquarium” of today's Grand Café recalls the fish farm.

The idea for an information center about water was conceived in 1998 by the dike reeve (dijkgraaf) of the Rijn en IJssel water board, Henk van Brink. Project leader Piet van de Poll developed the concept, and in 2000 the Stichting Nederlands Watermuseum was founded. The conversion was demanding: the listed mill was dismantled in 2002 in sections of its façade, an underground level up to twelve meters deep was built in the park soil close to the groundwater, and the building was then reassembled. It opened in 2004.

Today the museum operates as a Doe museum (hands-on museum), covering topics such as the water cycle, flood protection, water levels and drinking water. The administration is housed in the nearby Rentmeesterwoning of 1823. A water wheel at the back generates electricity for the building and also charges e-bikes. A hiking trail, “Van molen tot molen” (“From mill to mill”), links the museum with the White Water Mill in the park.

Highlights

• Evacuation game “Als ons water stijgt” when the water rises
• Water level game: operate the locks and pumping station yourself
• Crawl through a sewer pipe without getting dirty
• Water wheel generating electricity, with an e-bike charging station
• Outdoor water playground in spring and summer
• Waterlab with experiments for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Evakuierungsspiel „Als ons water stijgt“ – In a high-water alert, you have to decide quickly what to take before the water rises.
• Peilspel – Water levels are regulated with locks and a pumping station to protect farmland and the area.
• Waterlab – Experiment room where children carry out water experiments under guidance on weekends and during school holidays.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Stichting Nederlands Watermuseum

Director

Esther Metternich

Admission & discounts

Free with a Museumkaart (show the card or app). Tickets at the ticket desk; no reservation necessary. Payment in cash, by card or Gelrepas.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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 underground museum is reachable by elevator; wheelchair available on request by email. Accessible toilet in the basement by the walkway bridge; two accessible parking spaces on the grounds. The office building (Rentmeesterwoning) is not wheelchair-accessible. Assistance dogs are welcome; other pets are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Hands-on museum for the whole family, with Waterlab, water playground (spring/summer) and treasure hunt; children's birthday parties from €13 per child, including admission.

Getting there & parking

Arnhem Centraal main station is a short distance away and can be reached on foot or by (e-)bike. Rental bikes via Veluwe Deelfiets right at the museum; free e-bike charging station at the water wheel.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Grand Café Aan de Beek right next door (independently run). Free lockers and unattended cloakroom on the first floor; small museum shop (“Waterwinkel”); Museumkaart can be purchased at the ticket desk.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 130 guests.

Meeting rooms for 2 to 130 people (including the Watercinema, Waterwerkplaats, Waterlab and salons in the Rentmeesterwoning), with catering from the Grand Café.

Plan your visit