Baronie van Cranendonck
A Turbulent History
This remarkable area, located in the heart of the municipality of Cranendonck, has a rich history. In the Middle Ages, just 100 metres from here, stood Cranendonck Castle, believed to have been built around 1250 by order of Engelbert van Horne.
In 1595, during the Eighty Years' War, a witch hunt began here in Soerendonk. Innocent women were accused of witchcraft and blamed for poverty, disease, crop failures and all sorts of other misfortunes. This witch hunt rapidly spread across the Peelland region and led to the death of 25 women — a dark chapter in local history. A witches' monument has been erected in the pond between the old castle ruins and the current manor house in remembrance.
In 1673, the castle was destroyed by the French. The remains disappeared over the centuries, but the castle’s contours have now been made visible again.
In 1899, the white manor house known today as ‘Cranendonck Castle’ was built on the former estate grounds. In 1938, the municipality of Maarheeze became the owner of the estate and repurposed the villa as a town hall. Today, the beautiful historic building is primarily used as a wedding venue.
From 1952, the Barony was home to the ‘Cranendonck Experimental Farm’. Wageningen University conducted research here into dairy farming systems in sandy regions until 2010.
Valuable Natural and Cultural Landscape
The Barony of Cranendonck is a mixed area of nature and agriculture. In recent years, farming has increasingly focused on nature and landscape management as well as social functions. The core of the estate resembles an old Brabant cultural landscape, characterised by meadows, fields, woodland, streams, hedgerows and tree-lined banks.
Part of the area has been designated a ‘Wet Pearl of Nature’, a nature reserve highly dependent on high groundwater levels or seepage. You’ll find typical carr woodlands here: alder, willow, and poplar trees, sometimes planted on raised ridges. To the south of the white manor house lies the Cranendonck Forest and the Buulderbroek stream valley. This wet nature area is fairly accessible via boardwalks and stepping stones. It is a haven for birds and insects, including rare species. The Buulder Aa stream flows through the area and has been designated an ‘ecological corridor’ to support the migration of flora and fauna between nature reserves.
An Area in Development
An enthusiastic group of initiators is working with the municipality to preserve and develop this special area. The agricultural nature association ‘Land van Cranendonck’ is involved in managing and strengthening nature and landscape. Since 2020, the agricultural cooperative ‘Herenboeren De Groote Heide’ has been based in the Barony. It employs a farmer who produces sustainable food exclusively for the cooperative's members.
To the southeast of the white manor house, the Cranendonck branch of IVN (Institute for Nature Education and Sustainability) has created a vibrant experience garden, complete with a barefoot path and a gnome trail. Since 2024, the Barony has also been home to the ‘Connection Garden Den Hoof’ — a place to meet and unwind, where everyone is welcome to be themselves.
On the other side of the Cranendonck Forest, at Broekkant, lies ‘De Immenhof’, a bee and flower garden that is always open and free to visit. The garden features various themed sections, including an ornamental garden, rock garden, heath garden, and herb garden.
Walking in the Barony of Cranendonck
This beautiful area is freely accessible and perfect for walking. If you prefer a marked trail, you can follow the walking route network (green-yellow signs). A map of the full network is located next to this information panel.
Below are a few suggested (interactive) routes in the area.
Note: Some paths may become very muddy after rainfall.
Barony Loop
- What: Circular walk of approx. 5 km
- Start: Green-yellow junction 93 (walk into Van Egmondlaan opposite the white manor house)
- Signage: Walking route network (green-yellow signs)
Follow the junction numbers below to take a scenic walk through the heart of the estate, passing several highlights of the Barony of Cranendonck.
Route: 93-20-43-95-30-36-35-34-33-78-71-96-32-37-29-93
Magic Trailz Experience Route ‘Witch Hunt’
- What: Augmented reality quest using an app, approx. 1.5 km
- Start: In front of the white manor house
- Signage: Follow the instructions in the app
This interactive trail takes you back more than 400 years to the time of the witch trials, into the life of Stien — a herbalist accused of witchcraft. She was said to have made Sybrand’s 10-year-old son ill through devilish practices...
How does it work?
- Download the free Magic Trailz app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store
- Select and download the Cranendonck (Witch Hunt) walking route
- Enable location services on your phone
- At the starting point (first search area), use your phone’s camera to scan and start the experience
Brinken Walk – Soerendonk
- What: Interactive walking experience, approx. 7 km
- Start: Green-yellow junction 93 (walk into Van Egmondlaan opposite the white manor house)
- Signage: Orange signs with oak leaf symbol
The village of Soerendonk was formed by the joining of several ‘brinken’ — small triangular greens surrounded by old oak trees, once encircled by farmhouses. Walk past the different brinken and discover, through sound and imagery, both the past and present of Soerendonk.
Along the way, each brink features an info column with a QR code. Scan the code to experience a different facet of the village’s history.
A printed route leaflet is available at the VVV tourist office in Budel.