Museum de Dorpsdokter
Museum de Dorpsdokter offers a unique journey through 200 years of healthcare. Admire the exceptional medical instruments and listen to the amazing stories behind them. Combine your visit with the wildlife-herb garden, Vrijthof square and other sights for a perfect day out!
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Museum de Dorpsdokter in Hilvarenbeek is a must for anyone interested in healthcare. Located next to the ‘beltmolen’ (windmill on an artificial mound), the museum exhibits a unique collection of medical instruments used in the past two centuries by village doctors, dentists, midwives, physiotherapists, etc. They each have their own story, which the volunteers talk about enthusiastically. The collection also includes several highlights, including the book Opera by the 16th-century Hilvarenbeek doctor Ioannes Goropius Becanus and the so-called Four Humours of Hippocrates collection (fleams, scarificators, leeches and enema syringes).
Exceptional collection
Wandering through this amazing museum, you pass various departments all focused on ‘primary healthcare’. The apothecary shop is still ‘wonderfully’ old fashioned. You may even recognise the start of the fitness industry in the 19th-century exercise equipment in the physiotherapy department. The doctors’ department contains display cases filled with drills, saws, clamps and even leeches! But do not fear, the dentists’ treadle drill is no longer in use.Â
•   Unique in the Netherlands and surroundings.
 
Museum de Dorpsdokter in Hilvarenbeek is a must for anyone interested in healthcare. Located next to the ‘beltmolen’ (windmill on an artificial mound), the museum exhibits a unique collection of medical instruments used in the past two centuries by village doctors, dentists, midwives, physiotherapists, etc. They each have their own story, which the volunteers talk about enthusiastically. The collection also includes several highlights, including the book Opera by the 16th-century Hilvarenbeek doctor Ioannes Goropius Becanus and the so-called Four Humours of Hippocrates collection (fleams, scarificators, leeches and enema syringes).
Exceptional collection
Wandering through this amazing museum, you pass various departments all focused on ‘primary healthcare’. The apothecary shop is still ‘wonderfully’ old fashioned. You may even recognise the start of the fitness industry in the 19th-century exercise equipment in the physiotherapy department. The doctors’ department contains display cases filled with drills, saws, clamps and even leeches! But do not fear, the dentists’ treadle drill is no longer in use.Â
•   Unique in the Netherlands and surroundings.
•   Take a journey through 200 years of healthcare developments.Â
•   Fits in perfectly with a day in Hilvarenbeek.
Visitors really enjoy the museum and friendly staff: ‘Brilliant museum, lots to see, lovely volunteers who can tell you about everything in an enjoyable way,’ can be read among the many positive reviews. ‘Massive collection. Fun and extremely interesting if you work or have worked in care.’  Â
Tip for your visit: enjoy a full day in Hilvarenbeek! Combine a visit to the museum with a trip to the adjacent Kruidentuin De Doornhof (herb garden) and De Doornboom windmill. The charming village also has many other sights, such as the protected villagescape of Vrijthof with the ‘Bikse’ tower and Museumbrouwerij de Roos that houses a real brewery with a lovely tasting room.Â
This is how to reach Museum de Dorpsdokter
Doelenstraat 51
5081 CK Hilvarenbeek Plan your route
Starting point: from your location
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Opening times
- Every month on the saturday and sunday of the month until may 31st, 2025 from 13:00 to 16:30
- Every month on the wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday and sunday of the month starting from june 1st, 2025 until september 30th, 2025 from 13:00 to 16:30
- Every month on the saturday and sunday of the month starting from october 1st, 2025 until november 30th, 2025 from 13:00 to 16:30