Different chapters of Westerbeek’s local history lie close together: a Late Gothic church, a monument to a bomber crew that crashed during the Second World War, and traces of the Peel landscape. A 44-kilometre route also passes through the village. When planning, you can therefore choose between individual architectural and memorial sites and a longer tour through the region.
Churches and buildings in Westerbeek
The Roman Catholic Church of H. Hart van Jezus was built in 1922 in the Late Gothic style, based on a design by architect Hubert van Groenendael. It is listed as a Rijksmonument at a crossroads in the planned settlement of Westerbeek, near the rectory and school. The exact address is Stevensstraat 68. The church’s architecture, date of construction and location give it an established place in the village’s history.
Other protected buildings add different historical and architectural notes. Casemate 405 dates from 1939–1940 and stands on the west bank of the Defensiekanaal. The S11 sluice and distribution structure is listed as a Rijksmonument in Westerbeek. The house at Kerkstraat 23 is designated as a protected building that contributes to the character of the townscape. These details describe different historic features of the village, which do not form part of a single complex.
Memorial site and wartime history
The Lancaster Monument is in the churchyard on Kerkstraat. It is modelled on a replica of the tail section of a Lancaster bomber and commemorates the crew of a British bomber that crashed in Westerbeek on the night of 3–4 February 1945. All seven crew members died and are buried in Westerbeek. The monument’s story thus connects the crash site, the crew’s memory and the burial of those who died.
As the monument is in the churchyard, check access locally before your visit. Together with Casemate 405, it offers a different historical perspective from the church: here the focus is on wartime events, while the church highlights architecture and the development of the townscape.
De Twist and the Peel landscape
The area that is now Westerbeek was formerly called De Twist. The name was linked to long-running boundary disputes in the Peel region. Historically, the Peel around Westerbeek was a landscape used communally, where peat was cut and sheep grazed. It included extensive heathlands, fens and marshes.
In 1858, a few pioneers settled in what is now Westerbeek. They tried to make use of the Peel’s vast heathlands, fens and marshes. The village’s history and landscape thus tell of different forms of land use: the communal use of the Peel and later settlement efforts. This historical perspective complements a visit to the individual buildings and memorial sites, without presenting the former landscape as a modern visitor attraction.
A route through Westerbeek and the surrounding area
The 44-kilometre “Rondom Sint Anthonis” route passes through Westerbeek and the forests and heathlands of Boswachterij Sint Anthonis. It also crosses the rural agricultural area around Wanroij, runs along the Radioplassen in Stevensbeek and continues via Westerbeek to the mills in Oploo. Its length and the variety of landscapes make it a different planning option from visiting individual places in the village. Before setting out, check whether the route information is still up to date.
Your choice therefore mainly depends on what you want to focus on: the church, Lancaster Monument and other buildings offer insight into Westerbeek’s history, while the route takes you through a variety of landscapes and places. You can include either perspective in your plans independently, without treating the route description as a fixed day itinerary.
Events and food
The Westerbeekse Oogstdag takes place every year and gives visitors the opportunity to experience agricultural history. On 19 July 2026, De Twisse Dorsers organised the 38th edition. If you are planning a future visit, check the latest event dates.
Pop-up restaurant evenings are held at Verbindingsboerderij De Koolberg in partnership with DĂ© Wijnclub Online. They include tapas evenings, wine tastings and asparagus offerings. Dates and menus may change; reservations are recommended because places are limited. The recurring HXtival is also held at the same Verbindingsboerderij. The programme includes workshops, readings, food trucks, live music and more than 90 exhibitors. This programme may also change for future editions.
Discover more destinations: Wanroij, Oploo, Sint Anthonis.
Back to the main travel overview: Sint Anthonis.
