Great Dutch Wall — Dutch Coastal Heritage Society

Who we are

Where land meets the
will to endure

The Great Dutch Wall Heritage Society brings together historians, engineers, walkers, and curious minds who share a deep fascination with the Dutch water defence system — one of the most extraordinary and enduring engineering achievements in the world.

From the medieval ring dikes of Zeeland to the Deltawerken completed in 1997, our members explore the full arc of a civilisation built in defiance of the sea. We organise field trips, publish a seasonal bulletin, and maintain an archive of historical records, maps, and photographs.

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the subject — no engineering background required. We welcome historians, photographers, students, and lifelong learners from the Netherlands and abroad.

340+

Active members

Guided walks per year

Years of archive material

Partner institutions

Landscapes & structures

The faces of Dutch water defence

The Oosterscheldekering storm surge barrier seen from the road, Zeeland, Netherlands

Oosterscheldekering barrier — Zeeland

The windmills of Kinderdijk reflected in the canal, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

Kinderdijk windmills — Zuid-Holland

Aerial view of the Oosterscheldekering barrier and the Zeeland estuary

Oosterscheldekering — aerial view

Photographs via Wikimedia Commons. “Oosterscheldekering, Netherlands” © Donar Reiskoffer, CC BY 3.0. “The windmills of Kinderdijk” © Tarod, CC BY-SA 3.0 NL. “Oosterscheldekering lucht” © Bryan Tong Minh, CC BY 2.5. Hero: “Oosterscheldekering van boven” © Wikifrits, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Membership

Become a member
of the Society

Annual membership gives you access to all guided events, our quarterly bulletin, and the digital archive. We keep fees modest so the Society remains accessible to all.

Priority booking on all guided walks and field trips
Quarterly printed bulletin & digital archive access
Invitation to the annual winter lecture evening
Discounts with partner museums and heritage sites
Member forum and regional subgroup network

We will send you membership details and the next programme by post or email.

First name

Last name

Email address

Preferred region

Primary interest

I agree to receive the Society bulletin and event notifications. We do not share member data with third parties.

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Thank you for registering

We have received your details and will be in touch shortly with membership information and our 2025 programme.

Where land meets thewill to endure

The faces of Dutch water defence

Become a memberof the Society

Where land meets the
will to endure

Become a member
of the Society