The Fascinating History of Lodge Reinsehlen

The peace and tranquility of this pristine heathland village were first disrupted in 1938, when large areas were taken over by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) and used as a military airfield. Following the end of the war, a refugee camp for 1,500 people was established on the site—commonly referred to as the "Village of 1,000 Sorrows". Mainly women and children found shelter here in basic wooden barracks. The camp included an infirmary, a school, and even a kindergarten was set up.

From 1950 to 1997, Reinsehlen was used by British and Canadian armed forces as a military training ground, giving rise to the name Camp Reinsehlen. What seems almost unthinkable today was everyday life in the Lüneburg Heath for decades: vast areas of this unique landscape were utilized for military exercises. In 1967, Queen Elizabeth II personally inspected the troop parade of an armored regiment—an exciting event for the entire region. The tank wash station, the Red and White Halls, the studio, and the administration building all date back to this era.

In 1986, a citizens' initiative was formed to reduce the impact of military activity in the heathland. After tireless negotiations, they successfully brought an end to all military exercises. Extensive and intensive renaturation work began, and by 1994, the land was finally returned to nature.

In 1998, as part of the "Buddha's Path to Happiness" event, the Dalai Lama visited Camp Reinsehlen. Thousands of visitors populated the grounds, creating a massive tent city. Covering 25,000 m², a tent city of this scale was unprecedented in Europe at the time. Various online sources report that up to 11,000 people from 56 countries attended Reinsehlen during those days.

Plans to construct a hotel in harmony with nature on the grounds subsequently took concrete shape. In partnership with the North German Academy for Nature Conservation (Norddeutsche Naturschutz-Akademie), Lodge Reinsehlen originally launched operations as "Hotel Camp Reinsehlen" in October 1999, featuring 27 rooms and two event halls.

In 2004, art found its home at Camp Reinsehlen. Artist Jörg-Werner Schmidt established his studio in what is today’s Atelier—a former British Army stable. Up until 2010, he created numerous artworks that can still be found across the grounds, such as the Lattenmenschen (slat figures), the lavender labyrinth, the tilted pyramid, and the artistic redesign of the transformer building.

The tranquil heathland village of Reinsehlen has experienced so much—making its development over recent decades all the more gratifying. Nature has reclaimed its territory. Anyone who takes a moment to pause will feel the almost meditative effect of this unique peace and seclusion. Today, the grounds are once again a haven of tranquility, a sanctuary home to extraordinary flora and fauna. It is hard not to be captivated by the charm of this natural landscape—undoubtedly one of the reasons so many of our guests return regularly for a peaceful getaway with us.

In 2006, the Lodge was expanded, growing from its original 27 rooms to 51. This created more space for our guests—marking another significant milestone in the evolution of Lodge Reinsehlen.