Wijmelbroek

Wijmelbroek is a small but ecologically rich nature reserve right in the heart of Deerlijk, a municipality in the Belgian province of West Flanders. Covering just under 4 hectares, the site sits a mere 200 metres as the crow flies from the local church, tucked between the streets Vichtsesteenweg, Pontstraat and Pieter-Jan Renierstraat. It's an unusual case of a genuine natural area wedged into a small-town setting — somewhere residents can reach on foot in minutes, yet still find a surprising mix of habitats normally associated with much larger protected areas.

Where does the name Wijmelbroek come from?

The reserve takes its name from the Wijmelbeek, a stream that originates within the site itself. Along its banks, dense stands of willow shoots — locally known as "wijmen" — once grew abundantly, and it's this word that gave the area its historic name. The Dutch word "broek" refers to a damp, marshy meadow, which accurately describes what this land looked like before it was turned into a managed nature park.

How was the reserve created?

Before becoming a protected natural area, Wijmelbroek was simply a wet, marshy meadow used for agriculture. The reserve was established towards the end of the 1990s, with the explicit goal of restoring the original landscape and boosting biodiversity by recreating the biotopes that had once been common in the region. Small-scale landscape features were introduced as part of this effort: shallow pools, drainage ditches, a flower-rich meadow, and a traditional orchard planted with old, heritage fruit tree varieties.

In 2011, the reserve was expanded by a further 0.2 hectares with the construction of an ecological water buffer basin serving Pontstraat. This addition brought Wijmelbroek to its current size of roughly 3.7 hectares, while also giving the site a practical role in managing local rainwater runoff.

Who takes care of the site?

Management of Wijmelbroek is a joint effort between Natuurpunt, Belgium's leading nature conservation organisation, the municipality of Deerlijk, and a local social employment workshop. This three-way partnership means the reserve functions not only as a habitat for local wildlife but also as a community project, maintained through shared local effort rather than a single authority working alone.

What can visitors do there?

Wijmelbroek was designed with quiet, low-impact recreation in mind. The area is freely accessible to walkers, and an unmarked trail winds through the reserve, letting visitors move at their own pace through a sequence of changing habitats — from damp meadows and willow thickets to the old orchard. Its compact size means a full walk through the reserve typically takes no more than half an hour, making it an easy stop for nature lovers and birdwatchers alike.

Why visit Wijmelbroek?

The reserve's biggest draw is simply its location: it's rare to find such a varied natural habitat literally a few hundred metres from a town centre. For residents of Deerlijk and the surrounding area, Wijmelbroek offers a genuine alternative to a stroll through an ordinary municipal park — a chance to see ponds, wildflower meadows and a heritage orchard without leaving town. For visitors from further afield, it's a good illustration of the Flemish approach to protecting small, local ecosystems, brought about through cooperation between conservation groups and municipal government rather than large-scale nature reserves alone.

Frequently asked questions

How big is Wijmelbroek? The reserve covers about 3.7 hectares, following a 2011 expansion that added a water buffer basin near Pontstraat.

Who manages the site? Natuurpunt, together with the municipality of Deerlijk and a local social workshop.

Is entry free? Yes, the area is freely accessible to walkers year-round.

What can you see there? Damp meadows, ponds and ditches, a wildflower meadow, and an orchard of old heritage fruit tree varieties.