It is a part of the municipality of West Betuwe, and lies about 8 km northeast of Gorinchem.

[3] Heukelum is an elongated esdorp which developed on the river bank of the Linge in the Early Middle Ages.

[4] The Dutch Reformed church developed in stages between 1350 and 1510 to replace its predecessor from around 1250.

The castle changed ownership several times, but is still private property.

The last times were in 1939 and 1945 when the area around Heelsum was inundated to thwart the advance of the German and Allied armies respectively.