Buurserbeek

Haaksbergen lies on the eastern plateau, a sandy ridge that was created during the last Ice Age, a ridge that stands 35 metres above the North Sea. Streams take the water off to the river IJssel and then to the IJsselmeer Lake and the North Sea.

The largest of these streams, the Buurserbeek, rises approximately 5 km below the neighbouring twin town of Stadt Ahaus and ends up flowing into the river near the town of Deventer. In its journey the stream drops no less than 23 metres. In earlier centuries the Buurserbeek was an important waterway. Boats transported timber from the German forests to the East India Company wharves. In later times the stream was the means of transport for carrying linen to the bleaching factories in the west of the Netherlands.

Oostendorper watermill

The Oostendorper watermill was built on the Buurserbeek in 1548 and was last completely restored in 1988. It is the oldest double watermill in the Netherlands, with a corn mill (with two wheels) on one bank and, on the other, an oil mill for making linseed oil (paddle wheel). Because of its picturesque situation, the mill is frequently visited. Volunteers keep the watermill working. Visitors are welcome from April to September on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.