Ever wondered what it’s like to stand precisely on the NAP-zero line? At Honswijck you can. Honswijck is more than just a motorway service station. It’s a significant landmark. It marks the exact point where the Dutch height reference system hits zero. This means the ground here is at sea level.
Honswijck sits on the A1 motorway between Amsterdam and Oldenzaal. It’s easily spotted by drivers heading east. You’ll find an Esso petrol station there. You can also recharge your electric vehicle at a Fastned station. There are plenty of places to eat as well. Go Fresh Bakery and LEON fast food are located here. These options provide weary travelers with much-needed sustenance.
Honswijck wasn’t always here in its present location. The A1 underwent major reconstruction as part of the Schiphol-Amsterdam-Almere highway expansion project. This project moved the A1 south. The old Honswijck was directly in the path of the new highway. Thus a new and much larger service station was built further south. This new Honswijck opened its doors in August 2016. The area has undergone further changes recently. In 2021 the location was auctioned off for a staggering €27.511.500. The winning bidder was EG Group. They converted the petrol station into a Texaco. Later it became an Esso. The accompanying Wild Bean Café was replaced by a SPAR shop and the Go Fresh Bakery. In 2022 Honswijck became home to the first LEON fast-food restaurant on a Dutch motorway. These improvements significantly enhanced the traveler experience.
The name Honswijck itself is quite interesting. It’s taken from a nearby neighborhood and a farmhouse. This farmhouse sits a kilometer to the southwest alongside the Vecht River. In 2005 the Dutch Bureau for Tourism & Congresses placed an information board here. This board highlights the NAP-zero line for the public. Across the motorway from Honswijck you will find another service station called Hackelaar.
So next time you are travelling on the A1 remember to stop at Honswijck. It’s a fascinating place with a surprising history. It shows how infrastructure projects and business ventures can combine to create a modern travel hub on a historic landmark.