County search for traces - On the trail of past glory Location

One of the most idyllic spots in the County of Bentheim is the village of Lage, located on the river Dinkel. The village has only just under 1000 inhabitants, but despite its manageable size, it has a unique history.
During the territorial reorganization of Europe after the end of the Thirty Years' War, Lage was simply forgotten, and the village held a special status of "Herrlichkeit" for a long time. Until 1803, Lage was a politically independent small state with its own jurisdiction. Today, a crumbling old castle ruin still reminds us of that time. The former Castle Lage was a mighty bastion until the Spanish-Dutch War, when it was blown up by the Dutch troops after the departure of the then Count.
Not far from the old ruin, you can find the nearly 750-year-old water mill of the village along the old course of the Dinkel. Characteristic are the two water wheels, one used for flour production and the other for plant oil. The grain mill was operational until the death of the last miller in 1957. Afterwards, it faced decay until the early 1970s when the County of Bentheim restored the mill, which can now be demonstrated in operation on selected days. Opposite the water mill is the old mill house, now housing a cozy tea room.
In close proximity to the ruin and the mill is the old manor house from 1686, unmistakably displaying the typical Dutch architectural style. Today, it is part of the Stichting Twickel and not accessible to the public.
Another relic from the feudal era is the nearby oak alley with its land worker houses built around 1850, most of which have been well renovated. These houses once housed the servants of the noble family and are now owned by the Stichting Twickel.
At the end of the oak alley, the "Lager Busch" begins, a dreamlike forest and meadow landscape on the edge of the Dinkel.

Note: Follow the blue signage!