De Peel is a region in the southeast of the Netherlands that straddles the border between the provinces of North Brabant and Limburg.

From the Middle Ages until the 20th century, peat was extracted from the Peel for use as fuel. For this purpose many canals were dug to remove the water and for ships to move out the peat. The first recorded excavation was in 1427, and it was reported in 1670 that locals