Soltau

The parish of Soltau was founded around 830 by a few farmers, and the first wooden church was built around this time.
Between 1383 and 1388 the village was established, in order to protect against robber barons; this is now the town centre. The castle there was demolished under terms of a treaty. By way of compensation Soltau was given town rights; however, by 1511 the town was completely destroyed by a fire.
The town hall was moved in 1533 and established in an old chapel in Marktstraße. However, by 1567, another fire wiped out the majority of buildings within the town. Much of Soltau was destroyed over the years, especially in the Thirty Years' War, after which all that was left was ruined landscape.
By 1914 Soltau held the largest prisoner-of-war camp in Germany during the First World War. This was the same year that the mining of potassium salts began at Heinrichssegen Shaft, but work was then halted due to the war after having reached a depth of just 6 meters.
Again by April 1945 much of Soltau was destroyed by air raids in which many civilians were killed. Soltau become a British Garrison in 1949 during the Cold War and was home of Headquarters 7th Armoured Brigade. This was handed back in 1993 and is now used for doctors' surgeries and a business centre.
Situated in the heart of the Lüneburg Heath, Soltau is an officially recognized health resort. Here, active hikers and cyclists will find more than 1400 km (875 miles) of well sign-posted trails leading through romantic heath land, peaceful villages, and river valleys.

By car

Take exit 44 Soltau-Ost on the A7, then merge onto the B209/B71 towards Soltau. Continue along the B209/B71 until you reach Soltau town centre. Soltau is also accessible via two nation highways (B3, B71) and a regional throughway (L 71).

By plane

• Hamburg International Airport, in Hamburg, is north of Soltau and about is about 100 km away (roughly one hour's drive). The airport is approximately 8 km north of Hamburg's city centre and is the fifth busiest airport in Germany. To reach Soltau take the B433, then turn left onto the B432 until you can merge onto the A7. Take exit 44 (Soltau Ost) and carry along the B209/B71 until you hit the centre of Soltau.
• Hanover Airport, in Hanover, is about 70 km south of Soltau (roughly 45 minutes' drive). The airport is in Langenhagen which is 11 km to the north of Hanover centre and has easy access to the autobahn. To get to Soltau from the airport head towards the A352, this will merge onto the A7. Take exit 45 (Soltau Sud) for the B3 towards Soltau, this will take you towards the centre.

By train

There is only one train station in Soltau itself and it is close to the centre of town which offers Regionalbahn (RB) trains. Trains run from Soltau from roughly 05:00-22:00. It is possible to get to Soltau from Hanover, Bremen and Hamburg. It passes through Bad Fallingbostel, Walsrode, Schwarmstedt, Bennemühlen, and Langenhagen.

By bus

All major cities offer bus transfers to Soltau such as Berlin, Bremen, Cuxhaven. The buses leave every M, Tu, W, Th and Sa, prices may vary between €22 and €66.Berlin Bus

By train

Soltau's station, which is still called Soltau (Hannover) (abbreviated to Soltau ) by the Deutsche Bahn belongs to the Hanover Railway Division and lies on the America Line (KBS 116) from Bremen to Uelzen and on the Heath Railway (Heidebahn) (KBS 123) from Buchholz (Nordheide) to Bennemühlen(-Hanover). There are two other stops - Soltau Nord and Wolterdingen - on the Heath Railway.

By bike

The long distance cycle paths RFW 4 (Leine-Heath Cycle Path) and RFW 15 (Heath Cycle Path or Heide-Radweg) on the Lower Saxon long distance cycle network intersect in Soltau. A has been implemented. The majority of hotels in Soltau offer bike hires.

By taxi

There are taxi companies in town, and there are always taxis outside the railway station willing to pick up fares. Alternatively go to the taxi rank at Drögenheide 4, .

Parking

There are a number of car parks within Soltau with the majority of them being free. There is a car park on the way into Soltau next to the shopping complex with C&A. There are two free car parks next to Soltau Therme which is just on the edge of the town.

• Böhme ParkThis park has the river Böhme running straight through it. There is a lovely café in the park where you can have coffee and cake whilst you take in the scenery.

• Breidings Garten

  phone: +49 5191 2620
  address: Breidingsgarten 5
  This English-style garden is on the outskirts of town. The complex includes moorland just as decorative ponds, orchards and giant rhododendrons, an imposing villa garden as an artificial ruin. The garden is owned by a charitable foundation, and always open to the public. Free guided visits will be held monthly.

• Municipal MillThis listed building has been around since 1384 and is on the river Böhme and was owned by the city until 1817 which is why it was known as the Ratsmühle. The mill was eventually shut down in 1963 and has been empty ever since; however, they wish to turn it into a museum.

• HeideWitzka

  phone: +49 5191 13056
  address: Gottfried-von-Cramm-Straße 1
  This is of fun for big and small children, with trampolines, a go-kart track, climbing the volcano and many more attractions. The indoor bistro offers a delicious variety of food for the all family.

• Toy Museum

  phone: +49 5191 82182
  address: Poststraße 7
  The museum exhibits toys from over four centuries. There are many different toys to see from doll's houses, railways, wooden toys and a wide range of teddy bears and stuffed toys. You may also get the chance to play with some of the toys. A good day out for all the family.

• Holy Spirit Church in WolterdingenA small Gothic church (begun in 1396) constructed of brick with a detached wooden bell tower with very old bells (the oldest one dates back to 1350). In 1925 another Art Nouveau aisle was added to the church. The church was reconstructed between 1998 and 2001.

Theme parks

• Heide Park

  phone: +49 180 5919101
  address: Heidepark 1
  The Heide Park is the largest theme park in northern Germany with over 50 attractions. This park holds the record for the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in Europe complete with a 61° drop. Offers a great day out for all the family.

Sport and wellness

• Soltau Therme

  phone: +49 5191 84481
  address: Mühlenweg 17
  Fun for all ages from babies through to seniors, there is something for everyone. There are three pools, one for children, salt water and an outside pool. There is plenty of space to relax next to the pools or treat yourself to a massage in the wellness centre. There is an onsite restaurant where you can indulge in a snack. There is plenty of free parking close to the Therme.

• Südsee Camp

  phone: +49 5196 980116
  address: Südsee camp 1, Wietzendorf
  A five-star campsite where you can pitch your tent, or rent a Swedish cottage, modern chalet or premium caravan. There is plenty to do from swimming in the outside lake or the indoor pool to jungle golf and entertainment. There are many restaurants on site. Also great for a day trip out.

• Soltau Golf Club

  phone: +49 5191 9676333
  address: Hof Loh 7

• Soltau Bowling Centre

  phone: +49 5191 5050
  address: Lüneburger Straße 103
  The bowling centre has 12 modern and fully automatic lanes with computer supported screens which show all the results. Play pool, darts or table football or have a meal in the on-site bistro where you can watch the action of the game. Experience moonlight-bowling every Friday from 22:00-24:00 with lights, music and bowling all fused together.

• Skate Park

  address: Vor dem Weiherbusch
  Test out your skills on your skates or skate board at the park where jumps and ramps are provided.

Tours

• Railcar 'Anteater'

  phone: +49 5191 828282
  address: Soltau Train station, platform 5
  Provides tourist trips on a railcar from 1937 through Luneburg Heide, from Soltau - Luhegrund - Bispingen - Döhle and back again. There is a three-hour stop over in Döhle for people to get off and stretch their legs whilst looking around.

Events

• Schützenfest

  phone: +49 5191 17554
  address: Mühlenweg 17
  This annual four-day festival offers plenty of drink and Bratwurst stands.

• Backofenfest

  address: Breidingsgarten
  This festival allows different regional gastronomic specialties that are served directly from a stone oven. This is a very social event with a folklore programme.

• Soltauer Sommer

  phone: +49 5191 82197
  address: Hagen 6
  This takes place throughout August and offers a series of cultural open-air events such as poetry-reading, series of lectures, great small-scale performing arts and concerts.

There are a wide variety of shops from clothes, pets, electronics and homeware. Although the town is only small there is something for everyone. Majority of the shops are half-timbered and it is quite enjoyable to sit and watch the world go by in the town square. The shops are open M-F until 18:00, Sa until roughly 17:00 and they are all closed on Sun.
Just on the outskirts of Soltau is an industrial estate where you can find electrical shops, there is also a small shopping centre with a few shops that include furniture, clothes, pets and a food shop. In the centre of Soltau is another small shopping complex with a C&A and shoe shop.

• Soltau Farmers Market

  address: Georges-Lemoine-Platz
  This takes place every Saturday and sells fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers.

• Tee in Soltau

  phone: +49 5191 70910
  address: Hagen 18
  This small shop sells a number of different types of tea and liquor. There is also the chance to purchase different types of mugs and candles.

• Cheese and Wine - H.D Beddies

  phone: +49 5191 14494
  address: Burg 8
  This small shop specialises in different cheeses around Europe. There is also the opportunity to purchase different wines, cognac and whiskey. There is also a little bistro on site.

• Designer Outlet Soltau

  phone: +49 5191 60280
  address: Rahrsberg 7
  Open in 2012, over 60 designer brands at 13,500 m². Special features include half-timbered houses with thatched roofs.

Soltau is in the Luneburg Heide region where the Heideschnucke (moorland sheep) is bred on the moors where they feast on heather and birch tree shoots. It is often found on many of the restaurant menus and has a gamey flavour to it, it is often compared to venison.

Budget

• Café Chocolat

  phone: +49 5191 975313
  address: Bornemann Str. 7
  This modern café is on the outskirts of Böhme park. It is has a wide variety of chocolate and coffee drinks on offer, with snacks and cakes.

• Miss Peppers

  phone: +49 5191 979301
  address: Am Hanfberg 7 - Wietzendorf
  Authentic American cuisine set in a 1950s style diner. Popular truckers' stop.

• Ninis Café

  phone: +49 5191 939476
  address: Poststraße 8
  This is a small modern café with a wide variety of different teas, coffees and hot chocolates. Homemade cakes or pies from black forest cake, chocolate cream, marzipan cake or fresh fruit cake. A delicious breakfast buffet is very popular and is available daily from 09:00 to 13:00 which includes fresh bread, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese, salmon and ham, homemade fruit salad and cottage cheese, jams, cereals, cheese and yogurt.

• Pascha-imbiß III

  phone: +49 5091 2332
  address: Georges-Lemoine-Platz 13
  There is a choice of different kebab meat that you can have with salad and sauces, or have a curry-wurst and chips which is equally as nice.

• Stadt Cafe

  phone: +49 5191 12711
  address: Georges-Lemoine-Platz 5
  This friendly café can be found in the centre of Soltau.

Mid-range

• Brauhaus Joh. Albrecht

  phone: +49 5191 976313
  address: Winsener Straße 34d
  The Brauhaus is in the old 7th Armoured Brigade Officers Mess with a warm atmosphere. They serve traditional German food and serve a wonderful brunch on a Sunday.

• Campo Grande

  phone: +49 5191 939003
  address: Am Alten Stadtgraben 1
  This restaurant specialises in South American cuisine where you can find ribs, salads, steaks and some vegetarian options. The Rodizio offers you different types of meat cooked slowly on skewers over a fire, and the meat is cut at your table directly onto your plate.

• Dolce Vita

  phone: +49 5191 978278
  address: Burg 1
  A lovely Italian restaurant with an outside eating area where you can watch the rest of the world go by in the square of Soltau.

• La Mamma

  phone: +49 5191 975570
  address: Unter den Linden 15
  Italian restaurant serving great food!

• Landhaus Eden

  phone: +49 5191 602890
  address: An der Bundesstraße 4
  This is a typical German restaurant that sells trout as a delicacy that is bred from the pond behind the hotel. You can also try the XXL challenge whereby you have to eat 1000 g of meat as well as chips in an hour and a half, the meat consist of Schnitzel, currywurst and a 30-cm burger. If you manage to eat all of the food in the time given you will get your meal for free.

• Im Rehwinkel

  phone: +49 5197 203
  address: Woltem 2, Soltau-Woltem
  Local dishes with moorland sheep (Heidschnucke) and venison.

Splurge

• Restaurant Amadeus

  phone: +49 5191 9660
  address: Soltauer Hof, Winsener St. 109
  This is a formal restaurant that serves many local dishes and a variety of fish and meat dishes.

• Buffalo Steakhouse

  phone: +49 5191 978615
  address: Mühlenweg 7
  There is an indoor and outdoor area and serves a variety of steaks and other dishes.

Cafe

• Arko Café

  phone: +49 5191 13771
  address: Marktstraße 8
  This is a small confectionary shop where you can purchase hot drinks. There is an outside seating area. There is a large selection of sweets and chocolate available for purchase.

• City Café

  address: Marktstraße 17
  This is a modern cafe with different types of coffee, chocolate and tea. They offer cakes and made-to-order rolls. There is an outside seating area.

Bars

• Alexanders

  address: Wilhelmstraße 2
  A small bistro and bar in the centre of Soltau that stocks a variety drinks.

• Brauhaus Joh. Albrecht

  phone: +49 5191 976313
  address: Winsener Straße 34d
  There is the chance to see the home-brewed beers being produced in the centre of the room. They serve a number of home brews such as the Malty dark and the hoppy bitterness. The staff are quite happy to show you how the beer is brewed.

• Café Babylon

  phone: +49 5191 973737
  address: Lüneburger Straße 39
  A small cocktail bar situated on the outskirts of Soltau.

• Calouba

  phone: +49 5191 80393
  address: Wilhelmstraße 25
  This is a fairly small bar with a large selection of drinks available. There is also the opportunity to try shisha (water pipes).

• Bierhaus Milljö

  phone: +49 5191 13449
  address: Georges-Lemoine-Platz 1
  A small German bar selling a selection of beer, hot drinks and fruit juices. There is a small area to sit outside.

Budget

• Hotel am Böhmepark

  phone: +49 5191 9802
  address: Bornemannstr. 3
  The hotel is in the centre of the Böhme park and all rooms have a modern and comfortable finish.

• Hotel MyLord

  phone: +49 5191 978617
  address: Mühlenweg 7
  This family run hotel is next to the River Bohme and Soltau Therme and is a 5-minute walk to the centre of Soltau town. The hotel is next to the Buffalo steakhouse whose meat comes from the hotel's own farm.

• Wolterdinger Hof

  phone: +49 5191 14854
  address: In der Reith 5
  This 3-star hotel is in Lüneburger Heide, there is a chance to relax next to the swimming pool or sauna. There is an on-site restaurant where you can have typical German food.

Mid-range

• Gasthaus & Pension Heidehof

  phone: +49 5191 17275
  address: Brock 8a, Brock
  This 3-star hotel is set in a large park and has direct access to the Europa-Wanderweg hiking route. The hotel is family-run and each of the rooms are brightly decorated.

• Heidehotel Soltauer Hof

  phone: +49 5191 9660
  address: Winsener Str. 109
  This hotel is close to Heide Park. The hotel has a sunbathing area and a bowling alley. There is a restaurant, and the hotel bar has an extensive wine menu.

• Hotel Park Soltau

  phone: +49 5191 6050
  address: Winsener Straße 111
  This modern hotel is into the centre of Soltau and offers a wide range of leisure activities swimming pool, sauna, biosauna solarium or even try out the bowling alley in the recreational area. There is an on-site restaurant with snacks and an a-la-carte menu.

Splurge

• Hotel Port Royal

  address: Dittmern
  Designed with pirates in mind, it is a family-orientated hotel and was inspired by the Port Royal Caribbean fortress. The hotel is next to Heide Park.

Camping

• Camping Mühlenbach

  phone: +49 5191 14912
  address: Wietzendorfer Straße 2
  Perfect for a short break or a long holiday, they have 80 pitches available to park your tent. There are laundry houses within the immediate vicinity of the pitches containing showers, toilets, washing machines and dryers. There is an onsite shop for you to get you groceries if you run out of food or washing up liquid or even try the restaurant onsite.

• Ferienpark Moränasee

  phone: +49 5191 975268
  address: Dittmern 9

• Röders Park

  phone: +49 5191 2141
  address: Ebsmoor 8
  The park is on the edge of Ebsmoors, there is an ornamental pond that runs through the entire camp site with trees and hedges. There are 120 pitches to camp on and 2 sanitary blocks, warm water for showers is included in the price.

• Camping Scandinavia

  phone: +49 5191 2293
  address: An der Bundesstraße 25
  This campsite has 400 pitches available with sanitary blocks available nearby. There is also an indoor swimming pool, sauna and fitness room. If you ever need any supplies you can always run down to the onsite shop for convenience.

• Internet café Webspace

  phone: +49 5191 929660
  address: Bahnhofstr. 18

• Walsrode is a medium-sized town with a large selection of shops. There are many places to visit within Walsrode and on the outskirts, Serengeti Park is worth a visit it is a good day out for all the family.
• Bad Fallingbostel is a small town with a number of little shops and a large selection of restaurants. There is a large park in the centre of the town where you can relax by the stream running through.
• Verden an der Aller is a large town about 40 minutes away from Soltau. There is a large cathedral in the centre of the town which was built in the Gothic style and is an interesting sight to visit.