There are two small hamlets in the municipality of Kapelle: Eversdijk and Abbekinderen. Although they are located close to each other, they each have their own history. Eversdijk was even an independent municipality until 1815, before it was incorporated into the municipality of Kapelle. Abbekinderen lies partly in the municipality of Kapelle and partly in the municipality of Goes.
Anyone driving along Eversdijkseweg will immediately see what this area is known for. Orchards, fields, and old dikes define the landscape, and in the spring, the fruit trees bloom in shades of white and soft pink. Eversdijk and Abbekinderen are small hamlets where you can experience the tranquility of the Zeeland countryside. It’s a lovely spot to stop for a while during a walk or bike ride through the fruit-growing region.
Things to Do in Eversdijk and Abbekinderen
The area around Eversdijk and Abbekinderen is perfect for getting out and about. Cycle along the quiet polder roads, stroll past the orchards, and enjoy the sweeping views of Zuid-Beveland. In the spring, this is one of the most beautiful places to admire the fruit blossoms, while at the end of summer, the orchards are laden with apples and pears.
A visit to Slabbekoorn Fruit is a must. This family-owned business has been growing fruit in Eversdijk for generations. At the fruit stand, you can buy fresh apples, pears, fruit juices, and other local products, straight from the grower. It’s a nice stop on a bike or car tour through the municipality.
You can also make a special stop along the way in Abbekinderen. ’t Hof Olmenstein is located in the middle of the polder landscape on Abbekindersezandweg. The historic farm is now a place where you can stay overnight and visit the brasserie and tea garden for coffee, homemade pastries, or lunch, for example. Several biking and hiking trails pass by the farm, making it easy to stop by for a bit.
Be sure to also visit the Mariakerk in Eversdijk. This small 13th-century church is one of the oldest in Zuid-Beveland and serves as a landmark in the open countryside. The church is regularly used for concerts, exhibitions, and other cultural activities.
Dive into history
Although Eversdijk and Abbekinderen are small hamlets today, they have a long history.
Eversdijk was founded in an area where the soil once contained a great deal of peat. This peat was excavated and sold, and for a long time served as an important source of income. The village developed as a typical Zeeland ring village, with a church and cemetery in the center and houses surrounding them. When peat extraction declined, an important economic activity disappeared, and Eversdijk barely grew any further, remaining a hamlet. The church later fell into disrepair and collapsed in 1821, followed by the tower in 1840. The old layout of the ring village is still clearly recognizable today.
Abbekinderen, too, used to be more than the small hamlet it is today. The fortified farmstead Smallengange once stood here; it likely dated back to the Middle Ages and was destroyed by fire around 1560. The archaeological remains of this farmstead are still present in the ground and are designated as a national monument. Abbekinderen also featured a “vliedberg”—an artificially constructed hill that likely served as a fortification or a refuge from floods during the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, the original village disappeared, but the name Abbekinderen has endured in the present-day hamlet and the surrounding landscape.
Explore the area
The area around Eversdijk and Abbekinderen features a varied landscape of orchards, fields, and winding country roads. The area looks different in every season. In the spring, the fruit-growing region is in full bloom; in the summer, the fields turn golden yellow; and in the fall, the fruit harvest takes center stage.
Thanks to the quiet roads, this is a popular area for hikers and cyclists. From Eversdijk, you can easily cycle toward Kapelle, Biezelinge, or Schore and discover the diversity of Zeeland’s blossoms along the way.
Local Products
Fruit growing has been inextricably linked to Eversdijk for generations. At Slabbekoorn Fruit, you can literally taste the flavor of the region. In addition to fresh fruit, you’ll find fruit juices, honey, and other regional products here. Along the routes through the area, you’ll also come across several fruit stands and fruit vending machines where you can pick up fresh, seasonal produce.
Practical information
Eversdijk and Abbekinderen are easily accessible via the A58 and the rural roads around Kapelle. You can park at the Mariakerk or at Slabbekoorn Fruit, among other places, when you visit there. Thanks to their central location, these hamlets are easy to combine with a visit to Kapelle, Biezelinge, or the Zeeuws Fruit Museum.
