In 2026, we will offer a series of activities centred on the rich cultural history and the flavours of the South Veluwe Watershed. Together with chef and druid Marieke van Leersum, we explore the richness of the landscape, the edible wild plants, and the spiritual and cultural heritage, in other words the thousands-year-old terroir of the region.

Discover the watershed through ancient stories, rituals, and plants. Three landscapes, three layers of story, three flavours in the South Veluwe Watershed. Each activity includes a fitting culinary moment, ranging from foraged bites and tea to a traditional stew or a magical lunch. The groups are kept deliberately small, with a maximum of 15 to 20 participants, to keep the experience personal, deepening, and calming.

Contact and sign-up: info@degroeneketel.nl

The activities

11 April 2026: Celtic Fields & Wild Foraging – Nourishment from the Land

Wild foraging walk in Bennekom with a foraged bite and drink

9 May 2026: Forest & Floodplains – Frau Holle and other myths and legends

Story walk across the glacial ridge and floodplains in Wageningen, including an extensive lunch

17 May 2026: Veluwe & Ancestors – burial mounds, springs, and rituals

Walk along sacred sites in Ede and Renkum with an organic lunch pack

1 – 3 May 2026: Watershed weekend at Nivonhuis De Bosbeek

4th and 11nd april 2025

Celtic Fields and Wild Foraging, nourishment from the land

Start in Bennekom: 10:30 • Duration: approx. 2 hours • Maximum: 20 participants • Cost: 30 euros per person

Marieke van Leersum, druid, will guide you on a wild foraging walk to the Celtic Fields in the woods of Bennekom. We will explore all kinds of insights about food and the land in earlier times. We will look at the ancient fields and walk past various wild foraging herbs.

Marieke explains the nutritional value and edibility of wild foraging herbs. How do you harvest in the wild with respect for nature, and what can you use in the kitchen, and how? She also explains what you should not eat. There is also attention for the mythological meaning of these plants, and you will hear how both ancient and contemporary witches use druidic herbs for magical purposes.

9 may 2026

Forest & Floodplains: Frau Holle and other myths and legends

Start in Wageningen: 9:30 • Duration: 3 hours • Maximum: 15 participants • Cost: 95 euros per person

Marieke van Leersum, druid, will guide you through two different types of landscapes in the South Veluwe Watershed: the Wageningen Hill, with its forest and glacial ridge, and the floodplains, with their meadows and the river. We will walk through both areas, visit the Holleweg, and see the remnants of a chapel.

In the floodplains, we take time to reflect on the various trees and shrubs and the myths connected to them. We will also explore the goddesses and the seasonal festivals of the druids. For example, we look at Goddess Holle, her connection to the Holleweg and the elder tree, and how the hawthorn, which flourishes in the floodplains, relates to Beltane, the druidic festival of fertility.

We start at 9:30 at the Wageningen Hill. Halfway through, after a short break with tea and a treat, we continue on to the Wageningen floodplains. Around 12:30, we finish in De Groene Ketel’s cooking studio with lunch and some informal conversation.

17th may 2026

Veluwe & Ancestors, burial mounds, springs, and rituals

Start in Ede: 11:00 • Duration: until 16:30 (including a 1.5-hour lunch break) • Maximum: 20 participants • Cost: 115 euros per person

Marieke van Leersum, druid, will take you on a journey through time as we visit burial mounds, springs, and sacred places. We begin with a walk to the Heksensteen in Ede, where Marieke shares stories about witches and fairies, and about how the old faith of the heathens had to give way to Christianity. She will speak about ley lines, power places, the bards, and their stories.

Around 12:30, you will receive a small lunch package and we continue on to the springs and burial mounds of the Quadenoord estate. Here, we talk about the elements, the seasons, the Witte Wieven, druids, priestesses, and rituals. We also explore how we can connect with the energy and spirit of the land. We do this with a small ritual.

17-18 Oktober 2026: Combinated weekend

For those who want to experience the full story, there is the weekend edition: Friday 14:00 to Sunday 14:00, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We will share more information about this soon. If you are interested in these activities and would like to know more or pre-register, please contact info@degroeneketel.nl