The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Bänisch Lake

I've set it up countless times, it's annoying!

Bänischsee - Great for a break and to cool your feet in summer 👍

The impressive Rheda Castle in Rheda-Wiedenbrück is located on the edge of eastern Münsterland. The castle is internationally known for its double chapel from the Staufer period and its valuable music library. But the picturesque castle garden also delights visitors. It was partially restored according to historical plans for the State Garden Show in 1988. The beautiful castle combines several architectural styles: a chapel tower from the 13th century, a Renaissance wing with a gallery and a Baroque wing. Also worth seeing are the important "White Hall" in the Rococo style, the Coach Museum, the Wallpaper Room and the castle chapel - an important example of late Romanesque architecture. Source: https://www.muensterland.com/tourismus/themen/erlebnis-region-muensterland/burgen-und-schloesser-im-muensterland/schloss-rheda/

Anyone strolling through Rheda's old town will encounter the past at every turn. The pretty half-timbered houses impressively demonstrate the history of the former residential town, and different architectural styles characterize the image. Symbols of the old craft guilds are depicted on the pavement in front of the historic buildings and these reveal a lot about the craftsmanship of the Middle Ages.

The Emssee borders directly on the historic old town in Wiedenbrück and is the southern entrance area to the Flora-Westfalica Park. It was created as part of the State Garden Show in 1988. Previously there were meadows and pastures here.

A woodcarving competition entitled "Art on the Wood Trail" has been held four times in Rheda-Wiedenbrück. Each time, up to seven invited sculptors were given a theme and a material to work with. The material usually consisted of an oak log, two meters long and of varying diameter. This log was to be used to create an original sculpture. The competition also stipulated that the works had to be completed within one week at designated locations throughout the town. The short timeframe and the material meant that most participants used chainsaws. Three of the competition entries were awarded prizes and remained in the town. Some of the works from the first competition are now on display in the town hall foyer in front of the council chamber, while others are arranged as a group along the hiking trail through the former state garden show grounds, now the Flora Wesfalica Park, near the playground. Source: https://wiedenbruecker-schule.de/kunst-im-oeffentlichen-raum-in-rheda-wiedenbrueck/kunst-auf-dem-holzweg-spielerei-flora-westfalica-park/

The longest river that originates in Germany and ends in the sea also stops here - we are talking about the Ems, of course. The 371-kilometer-long river originates from the Senne in Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock. It meanders its way into the heart of the twin city and the site of the 1988 State Garden Show. This is how a high-quality local recreation area was created - the Flora Westfalica. To this day, the Flora, as a unique cultural and landscape park, is an integral part of the cultural diversity of the East Westphalian city on the Ems. Source: https://www.westfaelische-hanse.de/erleben/los-gehts-zum-grossen-ferienspass/es-troepfelt-und-plaetschert-auch-in-rheda-wiedenbrueck/

There is evidence that a garden with a geometric layout existed here since 1623, which was surrounded on three sides by a moat based on the Dutch model. This was partially restored on the occasion of the State Garden Show in 1988 according to historical plans and using contemporary plants such as old rose varieties. The former orangery, a brick building with late classicist architectural forms, dates from 1873. The castle park north of the moated castle is a more landscaped park area. The name "Hirschwiese" indicates that a princely game reserve once existed here. Source: https://www.baukunst-nrw.de/objekte/Schlossgarten-Rheda--1042.htm