Cities in the Netherlands
North Sea Region
The Story of Bakkum
In existence since the 10th century when it was known as Bachem, its name derived from the Germanic word for curvature or hilltop. Its independence as a municipality ended in the early 19th century, during the French occupation of the Netherlands. By 1840 it had only 176 inhabitants. Part of Castricum municipality.
The area's scenery made Bakkum a favourite destination for Randstad schools on a student outing. In the 1950s and '60s, there were many youth summer camps and the provincial children's hospital, while the area is rife with semi-permanent cottages, camp sites and trailer parks. Nearby is the Uitgeestermeer reserve.