Medemblik

Medemblik has town rights from 1289 and is generally counted the oldest town in West Friesland, on a harbour that opens onto the IJsselmeer. Kasteel Radboud, built by Floris V after subduing the region, stands on the water. Its other museum is a good one and unexpected: the Nederlands Stoommachinemuseum occupies a pumping station of 1869 built to drain the Wieringermeer polder area, and it holds a large collection of steam engines - stationary engines from Dutch factories and pumping stations - a substantial number of which are run under steam on demonstration days, which is rare anywhere. The town has a small old centre with gabled houses, a windmill, and the harbour, which is a sailing base with regattas through the summer. The steam railway from Hoorn terminates here and combines with the museum for an obvious day.

What you actually see

• The oldest West Frisian town - town rights from 1289 on the IJsselmeer.
• A steam engine museum - in an 1869 pumping station, with engines run under steam.
• Kasteel Radboud - the count's control castle on the harbour.
• A sailing harbour - regattas and moorings through the summer.

When to go

April to October. A day.

Honest expectations

Engines run under steam only on advertised demonstration days - check the calendar, as otherwise they are static. The steam railway is seasonal. The town is small.

Nearby

Enkhuizen is south-east; Hoorn is south by the steam line.