Estate De Oxerhof

The scenic beauty of Oxe is mainly shaped by the estate De Oxerhof. The history of this estate dates back to the twelfth century. Around 1862, the Van Doorninck family had Huis Oxerhof built on the estate and laid out a landscape park in English style.

At the end of the nineteenth century, large quantities of ore (a type of iron ore) were mined from the grounds of the Oxerhof. At that time, the owner received compensation for this. Before coke (destructive distillation coal) was invented in 1709, charcoal was used. In the vicinity of Colmschate there were also many charcoal burners, and the name Colmschate likely originated from a combination of 'cole' (coal or charcoal), 'man' and 'kot' or 'kate,' which means house. During the Roman occupation, Heeten was able to develop into a major center in the regional iron trade network.
During the war, the Oxerhof was initially a recovery center for SS soldiers wounded at the Eastern Front. In 1944, it was set up by the Sicherheitsdienst (=SD) as a camp for political prisoners. A few days before liberation, the SD still held forty men captive.

Currently, it is referred to as Study Center de Oxerhof, housing a School for Practical Philosophy and Spirituality, where study days, weekends, and weeks are regularly held for students and interested parties. The program includes, among other things, study, meetings, and physical work.

Sallands Bureau voor Toerisme