Oisterwijk,
the Pearl in the Green

Welcome to Oisterwijk

A historic village wrapped in one of Europe's most enchanting nature reserves

Where is Oisterwijk? It sits in the province of North Brabant, in the south of the Netherlands, roughly ten kilometres east of Tilburg and fifteen south-west of 's-Hertogenbosch, with its own station on the line between the two. Oisterwijk is a working village of fifteen thousand or so people and also a gemeente — a municipality — made up of Oisterwijk itself plus Moergestel, Heukelom and Haaren. More facts about the village and municipality.

Set in the green heart of North Brabant between Tilburg and 's-Hertogenbosch, Oisterwijk has been drawing nature lovers for more than a century. Its forests and fens have been protected by Natuurmonumenten since 1913 — a patchwork of ancient oaks, drifting heathland and dark, glassy meres that reflect the sky.

But Oisterwijk is more than its woods. The village green of De Lind, named after the lime tree that has grown here for a thousand years, is lined with terraces, boutiques and 37 national monuments. The KVL leather factory, once the largest tannery in Europe, has been reborn as a creative quarter. In 2020 the ANWB named Oisterwijk one of the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands.

Whether you come to walk the 14-fens trail, cycle the surrounding countryside, browse art galleries or simply linger over coffee in the sun, this guide covers every corner of Oisterwijk and its neighbouring villages of Moergestel, Heukelom and Haaren.