Swifterkamp

About the museum

Swifterkamp is a reconstructed prehistoric settlement on the edge of Natuurpark Lelystad. It commemorates the Swifterbant culture (c. 4900 to 3500 BC), whose traces were discovered during excavations near Swifterbant in 1966 and which marks the Netherlands' transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers. The finds there and the excavations at the P14 site near Schokland inspired the foundation Stichting Prehistorische Nederzetting Flevoland (SPNF), established in 1987, to build first a Bronze Age and later a Stone Age settlement.

In July 1989 construction began on a Bronze Age village in the nature park. It was mainly visited by school classes and was dismantled in 1999 because of decay. Since 1995 the present site has been prepared with a replica river-dune landscape; in 1997 construction began on two houses based on the floor plans of the P14 site, which were completed in 2001. They are about 12 by 6 meters and stand on an artificially raised mound (donk). In 2007 a Mesolithic hut was added.

The Neolithic site is free to visit on Wednesdays and Sundays. The foundation also offers programs for school classes and children's birthday parties, rents out the site as group accommodation, and together with partners runs experimental archaeology, for example on prehistoric iron production, shells and tree felling. On special occasions such as Open Monuments Day, actors present hunter-gatherers, Romans, Saxons and Vikings.

Highlights

• Two reconstructed Neolithic houses based on floor plans from the P14 site
• Mesolithic hut (2007) on the grounds
• Free admission on opening days
• Experimental archaeology: iron production, shell and tree-felling experiments
• Action days with demonstrations, e.g. for Open Monuments Day

Permanent exhibition

• Neolithisches Gelände mit Wohnhäusern – Two reconstructed houses of the Swifterbant culture on an artificial river dune, and a Mesolithic hut.

Operated by

Stichting Prehistorische Nederzetting Flevoland (SPNF)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Visiting the site on opening days is free; donations are welcome. Parking in the Natuurpark Lelystad car park costs a flat €3.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's parties for children aged 6 to 14 (approx. 2 hours, up to 30 children): a short interactive tour of the site, baking bread over a campfire and making a "Schwirrholz" (snorrebot, a bullroarer).

Getting there & parking

Swifterkamp is located in Natuurpark Lelystad; satnav address Vlotgrasweg 15.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Up to 20 guests.

The site is rented exclusively as group accommodation for family reunions, friends' weekends and reunions. Overnight stays for up to 20 people in the prehistoric farmstead on straw mattresses, with cooking over a wood fire. 2026: €575 per night including 10 people, each additional person €21.50 (max. 10 additional), plus cleaning (€95) and deposit (€450); bookings via boekingen@swifterkamp.nl.

Plan your visit