The Industrial Heritage Route – Classic Car Hire in Groningen for Group Outings and Rallies
A Journey Through the Industrial History of Northern Netherlands in Classic Style
Discover the fascinating industrial history of northern Netherlands from behind the wheel of a rumbling classic car. At Tonny's Classic Drive, you can hire a classic car in Groningen for a unique driving route, group outing, or rally. Over 117 kilometres, you drive through a landscape that testifies to labour, innovation, and progress: past iconic windmills, through UNESCO World Heritage Veenhuizen, to historic flour mills and grain warehouses. This is no ordinary drive. This is a journey through four centuries of industrial history, in a vehicle that is itself a piece of heritage.
Classic Driving Route Through the Industrial Heritage of Northern Netherlands
The Industrial Heritage Route connects the stories of labour and craftsmanship that shaped northern Netherlands. From windmills that ground grain for centuries, to the forced labour colony of Veenhuizen where poverty was combated through work. From flour mills that marked the transition to steam engines, to the grain warehouses along the Hoge der A where trade made Groningen great. You drive through picturesque villages, along historic waterways, and through vast peatlands – to places where the past is still tangible.
The Industrial Heritage Route at a Glance
Starting point: Groningerweg 40, Groningen (city)
Distance: 117 kilometres
Duration: 6–8 hours (including stops)
End point: Groningerweg 40, Groningen
Highlights:
Corn Mill Wilhelmina, Groningen (0.5 km)
Immediately after departure: the tallest mill in the province. Built in 1907, still operational, with a shop where volunteer millers sell their products.
UNESCO World Heritage Veenhuizen (46 km)
The absolute highlight: a complete prison village with the National Prison Museum, monumental buildings with edifying inscriptions, and the story of the Colonies of Benevolence.
Old Flour Mill Appelscha (61 km)
Tangible evidence of the transformation from manual labour to steam engines. Located along the historic Opsterlandse Compagnonsvaart canal.
Mills Noordenveld and De Hoop, Norg (86 km)
Two beautiful windmills in one village, showcasing the versatility of the milling tradition in northern Netherlands.
Grain Warehouses Hoge der A, Groningen (113 km)
The perfect finale: imposing warehouses along the historic waterway where trade formed the heart of Groningen for centuries.
Plus: the Paiser Meul mill in Peize, the Bovenstverlaat lock near Appelscha, picturesque villages, and the vast Drenthe landscape.
Drive the Past, Experience the Present
You drive this route with our classic cars. The story is about millers who ground grain for generations, about forced labourers in Veenhuizen, about merchants who sailed the Hoge der A. The industrial past of northern Netherlands no longer exists, but the stories remain. The buildings are still there. And the landscape – from the Groningen clay to the Drenthe peatlands – is thankfully still there as well.
Tonny's Classic Drive
Groningerweg 40, 9738 AB Groningen
reserveren@tonnysclassicdrive.nl | +31 50 211 2459
Drive the Past, Create Timeless Memories.
Three Ways to Experience a Route
1. Group Outing or Corporate Event with Classic Cars: Stylish Team Building
For groups of 8–40 people
The Industrial Heritage Route in classic cars is team building that connects, surprises, and inspires. Ideal as a corporate outing, staff event, or group outing with classic cars.
The programme:
10:00: Welcome with coffee/tea and car instruction
10:30: Short stop at Corn Mill Wilhelmina
11:00: Departure in convoy towards Veenhuizen
12:00: Arrival Veenhuizen, visit Prison Museum + guided tour
13:00: Lunch in Veenhuizen
14:00: Continue route via Appelscha and Norg
16:00: Closing drinks at the Hoge der A and return to Groningerweg 40
Why it works: Shared experiences create connection. Driving a classic car together, discovering special places, laughing about small challenges – those memories last.
"Together with 13 colleagues in 6 beautiful classic cars, we had an adventurous and culinary afternoon and evening! Perfectly organised and a wonderful route past heritage sites in Groningen and Drenthe. Highly recommended!" – Joost de Boer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price: From €110 per person excl. VAT
→ Request a no-obligation quote for your group outing
2. Classic Car Rallies in Groningen: Join the Club
For classic car enthusiasts and adventurers
From 1 May to 1 November, we organise a fixed rally every Sunday, where you hit the road together with fellow enthusiasts.
The Sunday Industrial Heritage Route Rally:
Start: 10:00 | Finish: approx. 16:00
Price: €95 per person | Children (6–12 years) €45
Included: classic car, route book with rally challenges, guidance, and a closing gathering with coffee/tea and treats
You are assigned to a car (5–12 cars total), receive rally challenges ("find this inscription on a façade", "take a photo at the windmill"), and drive at your own pace. Along the way there are fixed stopping points where the group comes together again. It's not about winning, but about taking part – although that bottle of wine or box of Groninger cookies is, of course, a nice bonus.
"Absolutely recommended for a day out with friends or family! The only 'problem'? Choosing which car to take... They're all equally wonderful! Anton and his team are super friendly and give clear instructions." – Albert, Anita, Theun and Linda ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Also ask about our:
- Wednesday afternoon Hogeland Route (€80 p.p.)
- Thursday Local Produce Route past farm shops (€95 p.p. excl. cooking workshop) – available from late June
- Saturday Borgenroute Rally (€95 p.p.)
→ Sign up for a rally or ask about available dates
3. Hire a Classic Car Individually in Northern Netherlands: Your Route, Your Pace
For couples, families, or solo drivers
Prefer to experience the route entirely on your own? No group, no schedule. Just you, your partner or friends, a classic car, and the open road.
Hire a car individually for a half day (4 hours), full day (8 hours), or an entire weekend. Choose from our fleet – from the iconic Citroën DS to the cheerful Fiat 500, from the sporty MG B Roadster to the authentic VW Beetle Cabriolet.
You receive:
- A carefully maintained classic car, fully fuelled
- An extensive route book with maps and background information
- Personal introduction and tips for the road
- 24/7 telephone support
Why hire individually? Freedom. You decide when to stop, how long you stay, and what you do along the way. Take your time at the Prison Museum, enjoy coffee along the canal in Appelscha, or take a detour through the forests.
"On Saturday we hired three beautiful classic cars for a bachelor party. What a fantastic experience! Everything was perfectly arranged. An absolute must for anyone looking for a unique classic car experience!" – Wim Kroeze ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prices: Depending on car and duration. Please contact us for availability.
→ View our fleet and check availability
Practical Information About Classic Car Hire
What should you bring?
- Valid driving licence
- Comfortable clothing (note: not all cars have air conditioning)
- Power bank (fully charged)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Camera for those Instagram moments
- A sense of adventure
What if it rains?
Northern Netherlands is beautiful in all weather. Rain adds a dramatic atmosphere to the landscape, and in a closed car you will hardly notice it. Note: windmills don't always operate in bad weather.
Can children come along?
Absolutely! Children aged 6 and up are welcome on the rallies (at a reduced rate). The Prison Museum is particularly interesting for children aged 10 and up. For staff outings and individual hire, children of all ages are welcome (child seats available on request).
Do I need experience driving a classic car?
No! We provide a thorough instruction before departure. Within five minutes, you'll feel comfortable behind the wheel.
What if something breaks down along the way?
Our cars are professionally maintained, so the chance of a breakdown is minimal. Should anything happen, we offer 24/7 telephone support and, if necessary, roadside assistance or a replacement vehicle.
Why Tonny's Classic Drive?
With us, it's about experiences, stories, and passion.
- Our fleet consists of carefully selected classics, each with its own history. We choose vehicles that have a story to tell and are in excellent condition.
- Our routes are created with love. We know northern Netherlands like the back of our hand and know exactly which places you shouldn't miss – and which stories belong to them.
- Our service goes beyond "here are the keys." We think along with you, remain flexible, and do everything we can to make your experience unforgettable.
- Our passion is what makes the difference. We believe classic cars are time machines, works of art, and vehicles of freedom. And that's the feeling we want to share.
Tonny's Classic Drive specialises in classic car hire in northern Netherlands and offers unique driving experiences for groups, rally enthusiasts, and individuals.
"Reliable company with beautiful cars. Well maintained with knowledgeable and friendly staff. Great variety of different cars. They also have wonderful routes worked out and lots of tips!" – B. Kranenborg, Local Guide ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book Your Classic Car Experience in Groningen
For Staff Outings or Group Drives:
Please contact us via reserveren@tonnysclassicdrive.nl or +31 50 211 2459 for a no-obligation quote.
For Rallies:
Book your classic car in Groningen online via www.tonnysclassicdrive.nl. The rallies often fill up weeks in advance!
For Individual Hire:
Book directly via the website or contact us at reserveren@tonnysclassicdrive.nl or +31 50 211 2459. Let us know when you would like to drive and with how many people.
