Forming part of the Lüneburg Heath, Walsrode is a historic German town first mentioned in 986 AD. It was largely destroyed in the 17th century during the Thirty Years' War and its landscapes inspired "The Poet of the Heath”, by Hermann Löns.
Things to do in Walsrode
In the heart of town is the Walsrode Abbey, a historic Benedictine monastery that functions as a Lutheran women’s convent. Originally founded in the 10th century and dedicated to John the Baptist, most of its existing buildings and surrounding brick walls date back to the 18th century. Join a guided tour to explore the abbey and admire its medieval stained-glass windows while learning about life for the nuns who live here.
West of Walsrode is one of Germany’s oldest open-air museums, which centres around a thatched-roof farmhouse dating from the late 18th century. The Rischmannshof Heath Museum first opened in 1912, with a historic apiary, a 17th-century storage barn and an authentic hireling among its structures. Period furnishings and artefacts decorate its beautifully preserved houses while antique farm machinery is dotted throughout the grounds.
Bird enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to the Weltvogelpark Walsrode, which is one of the largest bird parks in the world. In addition to spacious aviaries where parrots, pelicans and Indian runner ducks are exhibited, it features an open-air stage where the flight skills of falcons and eagles are demonstrated. The Weltvogelpark Walsrode can be accessed along the heritage Bomlitz-Walsrode Railway.
Getting around Walsrode
Walsrode is around 45 minutes’ drive from both Bremen Airport and Hannover Airport, both of which have flights to destinations across Europe. Regular trains connect to the Walsrode railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Walsrode can easily be explored on foot.