{"id":142351,"date":"2022-07-18T10:42:25","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T08:42:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=142351"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:26:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:22","slug":"why-tilburg-is-just-a-bit-better-than-rotterdam-in-terms-of-nature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2022\/07\/18\/why-tilburg-is-just-a-bit-better-than-rotterdam-in-terms-of-nature\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Tilburg is just a bit better than Rotterdam in terms of nature"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although she loves the city, the hustle and bustle, the people and the convenience, editor-in-chief Wieneke Gunneweg is really happy in the woods. A forest can drag you through the most difficult moments. Fortunately, since a year she lives at walking distance from a beautiful collection of trees. So tip of the week? Take a forest bath in the Oude Warande in Tilburg.<\/p>\n

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Tilburger Wieneke Gunneweg in the Oude Warande: 'You can walk from the centre into the woods in fifteen minutes'.<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

A few years ago, I read in a tourist leaflet that Tilburg was called \u2018the Rotterdam of the south\u2019. And after twenty years living in Rotterdam and over a year in Tilburg, I can only agree. These aren\u2019t cities with picturesque gabled houses, romantic streets and charming alleyways. But there\u2019s always something going on and lots of opportunities.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s just one big difference: from the city of Rotterdam, it\u2019s a good half an hour to an hour before you are really in the countryside. In Tilburg, it takes quarter of an hour to walk into the forest. And from the local university, you can be among the trees and the greenery in a minute.<\/p>\n

Unique star-shaped forest<\/h2>

The Oude Warande on the outskirts of Tilburg is one of the few remaining star-shaped forests in the Netherlands. The forest was built over three hundred years ago in the style of the French landscape architect who also designed the gardens of Versailles. In the middle of the forest, there\u2019s an open area (there used to be a big tree here, but now there\u2019s a pavilion with a small cafe). From here, eight avenues radiate into the forest like a star, hence the Dutch name Sterrenbos which translates as Star Forest.<\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s a designed forest, with paths along geometric lines, it feels very natural. It\u2019s a mixed forest, so with deciduous trees and conifers. This gives me the ultimate forest experience on a warm summer\u2019s day: filtered light through the leaves of the beech trees, the scent of warm pine needles.<\/p>\n

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The Siberian chipmunk is easy to spot in the Oude Warande.<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

In spring and early summer, you\u2019re almost deafened by the birds, so great for the birdwatchers among us. And there\u2019s something for those who prefer something furrier too. There are two species of squirrel which are easy to spot here. To see the red squirrel with its beautiful bushy tail, you need to look up, have a bit of luck on your side and keep quiet. The other species, the Siberian chipmunk, can regularly be spotted next to the path clambering over branches and fallen trees, and is not shy at all.<\/p>\n

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During the outdoor exhibition 'Lustwarande', you will find works of art everywhere in the forest.<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

The ideal environment for shinrin-yoku<\/em>, or forest bathing<\/a>. I adore this Japanese form of ecotherapy which involves slowing down and really immersing yourself in the forest in terms of scent, sound and sensory perception (stroke a tree, rustle the leaves with your hands, lie down on the moss!).
\nSave on the costs of a course on mindfulness or meditation. Just sit down on a tree trunk, shut your eyes and that\u2019s it. No towels required.<\/p>\n

And if you have time at the end of your walk, wander over the campus of that other economic university. Tilburg and Rotterdam, same same but different.<\/em><\/p>\n\t

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Practical matters:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Getting there and away
\n<\/strong>From Tilburg University station (from Rotterdam, change in Breda), cross Tilburg University car park and enter the forest.<\/p>\n

Attractions & activities
\n<\/strong>Until 2 October, you can visit the annual sculpture exhibition Lustwarande<\/a> in the forest. You can just walk into the forest and look for the artworks, or buy a ticket<\/a> and get a booklet with a map and explanation of the artworks.<\/p>\n

Food & drinks
\n<\/strong>At the centre of ‘the star’, there is a reflective pavilion, Grotto (a word that sounds like cave in Dutch, look inside and you’ll know why), where you can get a drink and simple snacks. With a terrace!<\/p>\n

Dangers & annoyances
\n<\/strong>Because of the many oak trees, the forest is a popular breeding place for the oak processionary moth. The tiny hairs on the caterpillars of the moth can cause itchy skin rashes. Annoying, but not serious.<\/p>\n

Flora & fauna
\n<\/strong>The Siberian chipmunk once escaped from a zoo and now even has its own Facebook page<\/a> and sculpture group<\/a> along the roadside.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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