Terra Maris

About the museum

Terra Maris – literally “land of the sea” – is the museum of the nature and landscape of Zeeland. It is located near Oostkapelle in the former orangery of Westhove Castle on the edge of the nature reserve De Manteling van Walcheren, about 750 metres from the beach. The museum is the successor of the Zeeuws Biologisch Museum, which was taken over by the foundation Het Zeeuwse Landschap in 2004, and has been an officially registered museum since 9 November 2007.

Three halls take visitors through the history of the Zeeland landscape: they show how wind, water and people shaped the delta, how embankments created new land and how more than a hundred villages were swallowed by the water over the centuries. There is also a sea aquarium, models of medieval life in Zeeland, archaeological finds and mounted animals.

Behind the museum lies the 2.5-hectare landscape garden Hortus Zelandiae, in which Zeeland landscape types are recreated in miniature, including a reconstructed motte castle. The collection comprises thousands of objects from Zeeland nature, above all birds and mammals, shells and fossil bones from the delta waters, such as the lower jaw of a woolly rhinoceros fished out of the North Sea in 1985. The museum is a partner of Het Zeeuwse Landschap and takes part in the Schelde Delta Geopark.

Highlights

• Sea aquarium with North Sea animals
• Three halls on the history of the Zeeland landscape
• Landscape garden Hortus Zelandiae (2.5 ha) with motte castle reconstruction
• Collection of mounted animals, shells and fossil bones
• Café De Orangerie with a view of the Manteling van Walcheren

Permanent exhibitions

• Vaste tentoonstelling – Het Zeeuwse landschap – Three halls show the history of the Zeeland landscape, the dynamics of the delta and the roughly one hundred drowned villages; also an aquarium, models and archaeological finds.
• Hortus Zelandiae – A 2.5-hectare landscape garden with Zeeland landscape types in miniature, themed gardens and an insect world.
• Mottekasteel – Reconstruction of a medieval motte castle on a refuge mound, from the top of which there is a view over the garden, Westhove Castle and the Walcheren countryside.

Admission & discounts

Free for Museumkaart holders and owners of the Terra Maris Jaarkaart. 25% discount for donors of Het Zeeuwse Landschap and guests of Villa Magnolia.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Wheelchairs, a garden wheelchair and a garden rollator are available at the ticket desk, as well as folding stools. Assistance dogs are welcome. The Sunflower lanyard for invisible disabilities is recognised; a low-stimulus map (Prikkel-plattegrond) and quiet visiting times (start of the day and after 3 pm) are provided. On request, adapted garden tours are available for blind and visually impaired visitors. Anyone who cannot walk the roughly 800 metres from the car park can be dropped off at the entrance after calling ahead.

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

Children's parties (€115 for 8 children and 2 accompanying adults, excluding food and drink) with themes such as feeding sharks, owl pellets, catching water insects or beachcombing. In the garden there is play equipment such as a balance snake, climbing pyramids and a willow house, as well as a pond for dipping.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the ANWB village route (Dorpenroute); you can also cycle from Middelburg station.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café De Orangerie in the glass hall with terrace and a view of the Manteling van Walcheren; dogs on a lead are allowed. Museum shop in the entrance hall.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit