About Hook of Holland

The Port of Hook of Holland’s main purpose is to serve as an entry point into Holland and Europe. Hook of Holland is served by ferry sailings from Harwich and is the main port when travelling from the UK. Stena Line operates the ferry sailings between Harwich and Hook of Holland using Stena Line’s flagship, HSS Discovery, the world's largest fast ferry or conventional ferry, Stena Line’s Superferry. Hook of Holland is a small town with a population of less than 10,000 inhabitants, the majority of the working population being employed at the port.

Hook of Holland Attractions. Hoek van Holland, or Hook of Holland as it is known in English, literally means "Corner of Holland" and is situated on the Nieuwe Waterweg close to the North Sea coast. The area of Hook of Holland has everything to offer from a weekend break to a beach or activity holiday. The Hook of Holland has endless possibilities, whether on kilometres of beach, or cycling or walking through the countryside. Hook of Holland offers a large number of interesting museums and attractions: Fort aan den Hoek van Holland opened in 1889 as a defence from attack from the sea for the then newly excavated Nieuwe Waterweg, now a Coastal Defence Museum; Jan Lels Lifeboat Museum, gives a poignant impression of the rescue services; National Ferry Service Museum the history of ferry services; Coastal Lighting Museum in the 100 year old lighthouse which stands on the Nieuwe Waterweg; the Jan Knijnenburg Greenhouse Museum, situated in the middle of the polder, houses a unique collection of horticultural tools and equipment; EXPO-INFO Pavilion Waterway Centre is a striking building along the Nieuwe Waterweg, which houses two exhibitions: a changing exhibition of Hook of Holland and the exhibition ‘Rotterdam a safe port; the Storm Surge Barrier, - the final element of a plan to protect the Netherlands from the sea, the construction being as big as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, but four times as heavy in weight. An exhibition with moving scale models, video presentations and animations.

Other activities in the Hook of Holland area include Boat trips, that pass by the Europoort docks, available May to September; Canoeing from the beach next to the Hoekse Watersportvereniging in the Rechtestraat; Scooter Safari with special scooters for adults and children offers dune scooter safari through the forest, over the dunes and along the beach; Rollerblading at an enjoyable 4 km long skating route through the woods and the dunes; Nature walks - Hook of Holland offers nature rambles through woodland and dunes to the beach and the sea including a long walk route, beach and pier route and wheelchair-friendly route; Bonnenpolder, an age-old polder landscape at the mouth of the Meuse, is an ideal area for cycling and walking; there is an open air Swimming pool, open May to September; Riding stables in the Hook of Holland; Petting zoo; Playground; Bicycle rental …

Hook of Holland Shopping Dining and Nightlife. The Hook of Holland area offers visitors a variety of restaurants, beach and outdoor cafés, pubs and discothèques.

Hook of Holland Access. The Excellent E30/E25 network of motorways links the Hook of Holland port with Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the rest of Holland. Join the motorway and follow the signs to ‘Engeland’ and ‘Hook van Holland’.

 Routes:

•  Harwich to Hook of Holland