As inhabitants of Ursem we (Fred & Olga Lemminga) would like to tell you something about our village and the surroundings. Ursem is a beautifull, small village, situated at the border of Westfriesland, exactly in the middle between Hoorn and Alkmaar. Originally founded as a serial of houses, built along some dikes (Noorddijk, Walingsdijk, Drechterlandse Dijk and Mijzerdijk) it developed to a "normal" village, together with some hamlets (Rustenburcht, Noorddijk and Oost- en Westmijzen). Ursem is part of the community of Koggenland together with Avenhorn, Berkhout, Berkmeer, De Goorn, Hensbroek, Obdam, Oudendijk, Scharwoude, Spierdijk, Wogmeer en Zuidermeer (including their hamlets).
You will find more information here (sorry, only available in Dutch at the moment...).
If you are interested in the history of Ursem, thanks to the cooperation of the Historical Circle of Ursem this information is also available (only in Dutch :)).

Ursem is situated in a magnificent polder scenery with beautiful canals, in spring and summer perfectly suited for fishing and boating, and during winter (if possible) skating. In the surrounding there are many wind mills (also a museum-mill) and a lot of other objects of interest.

• Alkmaar. A historical town with a beautifull center (many small canals with nice old houses) and of course the famous cheese market (every Friday as from April, 1st till September, 30th).



• Hoorn. A city with a rich history. Originally is was the main harbour if the VOC (a large company in the middle ages, mainly operating in the trade all over the world), as the IJssellake was still the Suydersee (South Sea). There are many old, nice houses and it has an attractive harbour.



• The Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen. This open-air museum offers an impression of the history of the region around the former Suydersee.



• The steamtram from Hoorn to Medemblik. An original steamtrain, reminding you of the nostalgy of the steamlocomotive.



• The flower fields (crocusses, daffodils, tulips and dahlias). In March, April and May the surroundings of Ursem are multi-colouredby many large flower fields. Especially the tulip fields (from mid April till mid May) are overwhelming. The blossom time, however, is short, as the flowers are cut in order to give the bulbs a chance to develope. The bulbs are picked in the beginning of July.



• The various polders (reclaimed areas), from which Beemster and Schermer are the most known. In the Schermer there are many beautifull places (e.g. the Eilandspolder) where you can see different levels of water near to each other.



• Ursem is on the Koggeroute, a clearly marked route, leading you over mostly narrow roads along the canals to various small, beatifull villages and many interesting objects.

Ursem has about 3,000 inhabitants and has many social and sports clubs, so that there are a lot of activities. Most important happenings are Carnival and the Kermis (fun fair) at Pentacost.