Culture
De IJsvogel
Craft distillery in the Wijmarsche Watermolen
De IJsvogel at a glance
22 minby car
41 minby bike
12.4 kmdistance
- Location
- Arcen
- Address
- Schans 20A, 5944 AG Arcen
- Mill
- Wijmarsche Watermolen, national monument
- Open (2026)
- 3 April to 8 November, daily 11:00–18:00
- Guided tour
- Sundays at 14:00, with a tasting flight
Miller and distiller
De IJsvogel is a craft distillery that makes its own spirit from beer and wine. From it come genevers, bitters, liqueurs and korenwijn matured on oak, and since 2012 a whisky of its own.
The guided tour shows you the mill's two crafts: that of the miller and that of the distiller. You pass the sack loft, the millstones, the gear works, the herb loft and the distillery.
Tours and opening hours on ijsvogel.com (opens in a new tab)
The terrace on the Lingsforterbeek
Next to the mill is café de Schenkerij, with a rustic terrace by the water. In 2024 it won the Voila Terras Award for the best terrace in Limburg.
The mill stands in the Barbara’s Weerd nature area, on the Lingsforterbeek stream, which flows into the Maas at Arcen. A few hundred metres away are Arcen Castle Gardens.
The Wijmarsche Watermolen
The mill was built around 1677 and belonged to Arcen castle. It first ground grain and pressed oil, and from 1882 ground only grain. During a rebuild it was given an overshot wheel and an undershot wheel.
The mill had stopped working even before the Second World War, and during the war it fell into ruin. The nature trust Limburgs Landschap has owned it since 1978, and it was restored around 1990. It has been a national monument since 1969.
Tip from reception
Come on a Sunday: at 14:00 the guided tour starts, with a tasting flight of three spirits of your choice. You can simply walk in without booking, but mind the season: the mill is closed in winter and after 8 November open only at weekends.
Reception team, Parkhotel Horst
Good to know
Sunday guided tourAt 14:00 with a guide and a tasting flight of three spirits, € 14 per person (2026).
Open in seasonIn 2026 daily from 3 April to 8 November; from late February to April and from 9 to 29 November weekends only; closed in winter.
At your own paceSmall groups explore the mill on their own with a leaflet and a tasting flight, € 11 per person; groups of ten or more by appointment.
Shop in the millGenevers, liqueurs, bitters, whisky and mustard are on sale in the mill or in the online shop.
Photos: MHB Verkuijlen (CC BY-SA 3.0 nl; mill, gear works, distillery); via Wikimedia Commons. Photo tasting board: Chris F via Pexels.
Make a day of it
From the breakfast buffet to the watermill in Arcen, and back to your own wellness.
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Start the day at the breakfast buffet of Parkhotel Horst.
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A 22-minute drive takes you to Arcen, where a watermill from around 1677 shows you how spirits are still distilled by hand.
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Back in Horst, the indoor pool, saunas and wellness lounge are waiting, free for hotel guests.
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End the day with dinner at restaurant BØFF.
Your room, wellness included
Six rooms, from the Comfort room to the Apartment. With every room you use the pool, saunas, steam room and lounge free of charge.
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Getting there
From the hotel it takes about:
De IJsvogel, Schans, Arcen
Frequently asked questions
Any other questions? Call reception: +31 77 397 6000What is De IJsvogel in Arcen?
A craft distillery that makes its own spirit from beer and wine. It is housed in the Wijmarsche Watermolen, a national monument on the Lingsforterbeek in Arcen.
Can you take a guided tour with tasting at De IJsvogel?
Yes. On Sundays at 14:00 there is a guided tour with a tasting flight of three spirits of your choice, € 14 per person (2026). Small groups can also explore the mill on their own with a leaflet and a tasting flight; groups of ten or more by appointment via ijsvogel.com.
When is De IJsvogel open?
In 2026 daily from 3 April to 8 November, 11:00 to 18:00. From late February to early April and from 9 to 29 November on Saturdays and Sundays only; in January, February and December the mill is closed.
What does De IJsvogel distil?
Genevers, bitters and liqueurs, korenwijn matured on oak and, since 2012, a whisky of its own. You will also find unusual liqueurs such as an asparagus liqueur.
How old is the watermill of De IJsvogel?
The Wijmarsche Watermolen was built around 1677 and belonged to Arcen castle. After falling into ruin during the war, it has been owned by Limburgs Landschap since 1978 and restored. It has been a national monument since 1969.
What else is there to do in Arcen?
Close by are Arcen Castle Gardens and the Hertog Jan Brewery. From Parkhotel Horst, Arcen is about 22 minutes by car or 41 minutes by bike.
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Photos of the cards: Vincent van Zeijst (CC BY-SA 4.0); B. Hulshoff (CC BY-SA 4.0); via Wikimedia Commons.
Photos: Asio otus (CC BY-SA 3.0); Ayush Basu (CC BY-SA 4.0); giggel (CC BY 3.0); via Wikimedia Commons.
After De IJsvogel: pool, wellness and dinner at BØFF
A quarter of an hour's drive from Arcen, you sleep surrounded by greenery, with your own wellness under the same roof.
