Texel, the island of sheep: Experience farmers, cheese and woolliness

Texel, the island of sheep: Experience farmers, cheese and woolliness

Even from the mainland, Texel, the island of sheep, piques one's curiosity. Between Den Oever and Oosterland, we stop briefly at the dike. From there, we can see the island on the horizon. A narrow strip of land interrupts the view out to sea. In front of us, a ewe grazes with her lamb. Both leisurely eat the fresh green grass growing on the dike. Every now and then, they glance over at us, as if they want to know why we're staring at the island for so long.

This first encounter is typical of Texel. Sheep are an integral part of the landscape there. They graze on the polders, along the dikes, and around the farms. However, it would be too simplistic to describe Texel merely as a sheep island. A closer look reveals an island where agriculture, water management, regional products, and hospitality are inextricably linked.

For whom is Texel, the island of sheep, worthwhile?

This article is for you if you want to experience Texel as more than just a beach island. It's about farmers, polders, sheep barns, cheese, lambs, and a special wellness treatment using sheep's wool. If, on the other hand, you'd like to know which places and excursions are worthwhile for your first holiday, you can find our [recommendations/guidelines] here. Texel sightsYou can also find an overview of travel planning in our article. Experience Texel.

In the port of Den Helder we finally go on board the ferryThe crossing to Texel takes barely twenty minutes. Distances are also short on the island. Just a few minutes later, we're already on our way to Den Burg, the island's main town. Even on this short stretch, it becomes clear how strongly agriculture and livestock farming still shape Texel today.

Texel, the island of sheep – but not only that

“We have about 13.000 inhabitants on the island, but around 16.000 sheep,” Arnold tells us the next morning. “In spring, thousands more lambs join them.” We’re on a tour of the island with him. Arnold introduced himself as a farmer. But we soon realize there’s more to him than that simple description suggests.

He is the chairman of the Texel Farmers' Association. He also used to own the Boutique Hotel Texel, where we are spending the night. Today, his daughter runs the hotel. Arnold therefore knows the island not only from a farmer's perspective but also from the perspective of a host. This makes his explanations particularly engaging.

Texel fact: Not only the sheep on Texel are called “Texelaars”. This is also what the islanders are called.

Who would benefit from this look at Texel?

This part of Texel is especially worthwhile if you like to look beyond the usual tourist attractions. Here, the island reveals itself as quieter, more rural, and closer to everyday life. You'll drive along dikes, see sheep barns, visit farms, and gain a better understanding of why regional products on Texel are more than just souvenirs.

This page is a good fit for you if you:

• If you want to combine Texel with enjoyment and regional products,
• If you are interested in farms, sheep, cheese and island agriculture,
• if you are traveling with children and want to experience animals
• If you want to see more than just the beach and towns on a second visit to Texel,
• looking for a quiet addition to the well-known tourist destinations.

This route is less suitable if you only have a very short stay and want to see the lighthouse, beach, villages, and nature reserves first. In that case, our overview of the following is recommended first. Sights on Texel.

Polders, dikes and sheep barns: Why agriculture shapes Texel

Arnold isn't just interested in sheep. He also explains the island's water management to us. This is important on Texel because a large part of the island consists of polders. This is the name given to land behind the dike that lies below sea level. It has to be drained so that it can be used for agriculture.

In the past, this was done with windmills. We still see some during our tour. Today, electric pumps do this work. The water is channeled through canals, either through or over the dike, into the sea. Those who travel across Texel therefore see more than just fields and pastures. The landscape also tells the story of the island's constant interaction with water, wind, and soil.

On the polders near Den Burg, we see the first sheep with lambs. In a pasture stands one of those sheep barns so typical of Texel. They look almost like halved farmhouses. The flat side usually faces the direction from which the wind most often blows. In this way, the barns provide shelter for the animals, hay, and fodder.

If you would like to read more about these sheep barns, lambs, and encounters with sheep, you can find our in-depth article here: Experience Texel sheep on the island in North Holland.

Texel is also an island of cows, farmers and regional products.

"Texel is the island of sheep – and cows, and farmers," Arnold laughs as we drive on. On the way to a livestock farm, he explains that hardly any farm on Texel focuses on just one thing. The farms are diverse. There are sheep and cattle, but also seed potatoes, fruit trees, asparagus, wine, and beer from the island.

Texel is like a miniature Holland. Many products come directly from the island, while others are shipped to the mainland. Texel sheep are internationally renowned. Arnold explains that the animals are even valued for breeding in Australia, where anyone who owns a Texel ram is very proud.

It is precisely this connection that makes Texel so appealing to gourmets. Cheese, beer, lamb, herbs, and other regional products are not just culinary additions here; they are directly linked to the landscape. You can find out more in our Texel Tips for connoisseurs.

Smart farmers on Texel

A cattle breeder with happy cows

We realize that Texel isn't just an island of sheep during our visit to a young cattle farmer. He shows us his new barn, which he designed himself. The well-being of his animals is particularly important to him. Unlike many livestock barns I've seen, his cattle roam freely in a large hall.

During our visit, seasonal workers were on the farm. They were trimming the cows' hooves. This was done calmly and carefully. The animals were lifted into a cradle, treated, and then allowed to roam freely again in the barn. The milking process is also automated. The dairy cows voluntarily approach the milking stations when the pressure in their udders becomes too great. There, they are milked fully automatically.

What I find fascinating is that the farmer usually runs his farm alone. Many processes are automated. Manure and slurry are transported to the neighboring building, mixed there, and later used as fertilizer on the fields. Texel's farmers don't strike us as romantically idealized, but rather as pragmatic and resourceful. They utilize the island's limited space in a way that suits its environment.

Sheep barns as part of the Texel landscape

As we continue our journey, we repeatedly encounter sheep barns. They are as much a part of Texel as the dikes and polders. Farmers used to store hay and fodder for their sheep in them. Even today, they still characterize the island's landscape, although not every barn is used in the traditional way anymore.

Experience Texel, the island of sheep: lambs, sheepdogs and a farm visit

At sheep farmer Hans Witte's

In the afternoon, we visit Hans Witte's sheep farm. He owns about 500 sheep of various breeds. Spring is a particularly busy time on his farm, when the sheep give birth to their lambs. There can be as many as a thousand lambs in a single season. Some sheep lamb outside in the pastures. The farmer brings the more vulnerable animals into the barn, where the newborns are better protected during their first few weeks.

German Shepherds at work

First, Hans leads us to an enclosure. There he fetches his three sheepdogs, who herd a flock of sheep together. At his command, the dogs execute the instructions they have learned. It looks effortless, but is clearly the result of good cooperation between farmer, dogs, and flock.

When a lamb is born in the stable

Even more impressive is the birth of twin lambs in the barn. Some visitors are busy "cuddling the lambs." Hans explains why some ewes are brought into the barn. Suddenly, he stops, looks at one of the animals, and says, "She's about to have her lamb." Then his attention is entirely on the mother sheep. With a few deft movements, he assists with the birth. Shortly afterward, a new lamb lies in the hay.

Moments like these show why a farm visit on Texel can be more than just a family outing. You see how closely intertwined daily life, work, and animal husbandry are here. If you'd like to visit the Schapenboerderij Texel (Texel Sheep Farm), check the current opening hours beforehand and reserve your time slot on the farm's website. It can get particularly busy in the spring.

Cheese from Texel: Wezenspyk and regional products

Sheep, goat and cow milk from the island

Anton Witte processes the milk from Texel sheep, goats, and cattle at the Wezenspyk cheese dairy near Den Burg. There, he produces various cheeses flavored with ingredients such as mustard seeds, saltwort, herbs, or fenugreek. This makes the cheese not simply a souvenir, but a product closely tied to the island.

Wezenspyk as a culinary stop on Texel

If you have time, a visit to the cheese dairy is worthwhile. There you can sample cheeses, shop in the store, or take a break in the courtyard café. Depending on the season and availability, you may also be able to get a glimpse into the production process. Since opening hours and tours are subject to change, you should check the current information on the Wezenspyk website before your visit.

For us, Wezenspyk is a great addition to a tour of the island. The visit combines agriculture, crafts, and culinary delights. It also shows how Texel confidently uses its products without making a big show of it.

Woolness at the Boutique Hotel Texel, on the island of sheep

Wellness with sheep's wool

We experience firsthand that Texel is both the island of sheep and an island of inventive hosts at the Boutique Hotel Texel, where we spend a night. In the hotel's garden, there's a wooden cabin where you can experience a unique wellness treatment: Woolness.

You are wrapped in natural sheep's wool. The wool contains lanolin. If you rub natural wool between your fingers, you'll quickly notice its slightly oily texture. This wool grease nourishes the skin. After the treatment, your skin feels soft. Petar tested Woolness and still remembers the pleasant warmth that calmed him during the treatment.

Who Woolness is interesting for

Woolness is a great choice if you want to experience Texel not only actively, but also find a tranquil counterpoint. It's not a classic spa treatment with a lot of theatricality. For us, it felt more like a warm, quiet break, perfectly suited to the island.

Today, the Boutique Hotel Texel offers its spa services under the name Spa Woolness. These include treatments, relaxation, warmth, and therapies inspired by the island. If you'd like to experience Woolness, you should inquire about or book treatments directly with the hotel in advance.

This excursion fits perfectly into your Texel trip.

When farms, cheese and woolness are worthwhile

If this is your first time on Texel, I wouldn't plan to focus solely on the island's agricultural side. It's better to combine it with other experiences. A visit to a farm or cheese dairy in the morning, followed by exploring a village, relaxing on the beach, or taking a walk through the polder landscape – this way, the topic fits well into a peaceful day on Texel.

The trip is particularly well suited to:

• for stays of three days or more,
• in spring, when many lambs are born,
• in changeable weather, if you don't want to be outside all the time,
• for families who want to experience animals,
• For gourmets who want to experience regional products directly on the island.

When you should plan differently

For a very short stay, I would first select the most important places, beaches, and nature reserves. After that, you can decide whether a farm visit or Wezenspyk still fits into your itinerary. For an initial overview, our article on the... Texel sights.

Practical information for your visit to Texel, the island of sheep

Getting to Texel

We drove to Den Helder and took the ferry to Texel from there. The crossing doesn't take long, but you should still allow some extra time on busy travel days. You can find more information in our article about... Getting to Texel.

If you would like to take more time for the journey, you can also reach Texel with a Road trip through the Hanseatic cities in Holland .

Texel sheep farm

Texel sheep farm
Pontweg 77
1791 LA Den Burg
Netherlands

Please check the current opening hours and reservation rules on the farm's website before your visit. Especially during lambing season, the sheep farm operates with time slots to ensure a manageable environment for both visitors and animals.

Kaasboerderij Wezenspyk

Kaasboerderij Wezenspyk
Hoornderweg 29
1791 PM The castle
Netherlands

Here too, you should check opening hours and any guided tours in advance. The farm shop and the farm café are perfect for a break if you want to experience Texel's culinary side.

Spa Woolness at the Boutique Hotel Texel

Boutique Hotel Texel
Postal 134
1795 JS De Cocksdorp
Netherlands

You should inquire about Woolness and other spa treatments directly with the hotel in advance. This is especially important if you are only on Texel for a short time or would like to combine the treatment with an overnight stay.

Rental car

If you are not traveling to Texel with your own car, you can use a rental car for the journey or for other destinations in the Netherlands: Cheap car hire - book quickly and easily!

Conclusion: Texel is more than just an island with sheep.

Texel is often called the island of sheep. After our tour, we understand why. Sheep graze in the pastures, sheep barns dot the landscape, and in spring, lambs are almost a ubiquitous sight. But our encounters with Arnold, the farmers, the Wezenspyk cheese dairy, and the Woolness spa reveal that Texel is much more than just this one image.

The island thrives on agriculture, the effects of which remain visible. It shapes the landscape, the cuisine, the farm shops, and even wellness offerings. Therefore, if you explore Texel at a leisurely pace, you'll discover not only beaches and towns, but also an island that makes the most of its own resources.

Source: Our own on-site research. We thank VVV Texel and forvision for their kind support of this trip. However, our opinions remain our own.

Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline