Leidschendam-Voorburg: Mills, Locks and Polders

A double lock chamber and two bascule bridges make the Leidschendam lock complex a complete 19th-century lock system. At the same time, it is an important part of the protected townscape. The complex gives the region’s water and construction history a distinctive, readily recognisable face.

Polder landscape and trails

The Nieuwe Driemanspolder is a water-retention, nature and recreation area between Zoetermeer, Leidschendam-Voorburg and The Hague. The Leidschendammerhout offers a different landscape: this long, narrow nature and recreation area encompasses wet woodlands, rough grasslands, reeds and ponds. You can explore it on horseback, on foot or by bicycle.

Vlietland connects three lakes, which together cover about 130 hectares within the 300-hectare recreation area, with nature trails, cycle paths and bridleways. The area is freely accessible all year round. As local access rules may change, check the signs at the entrances before travelling there.

Gardens, museums and mills

The country estate of Hofwijck was designed around 1640 by Constantijn Huygens together with the architect Jacob van Campen. The layout of its garden follows the contours and proportions of the human body—an unusual detail that connects architectural and garden history. Hofwijck is located on Stationsplein in Voorburg and is easily reached by bus and train. Check current transport connections and parking arrangements before travelling there.

The Notarishuis Museum presents the history and culture of Voorburg and Leidschendam, including its Roman heritage and the life of Princess Marianne van Oranje. The museum also houses a VVV tourist information point with maps, town walks and cycling tours; check what is available to visitors before your trip. Guided tours can cover topics such as Forum Hadriani or Princess Marianne. Exhibitions and the availability and topics of guided tours may change.

Technical structures also tell the story of the polder landscape. De Antagonist was built in 1882 as a steam pumping station to a design by engineer J. Goldberg, replacing three windmills that had previously drained the Gecombineerde Starrevaart- en Damhouderpolder. The building was fully restored in 2013–2014; the STIBOM foundation is dedicated to preserving the pumping station and its equipment as a museum.

Molen De Vlieger is a fully operational polder mill, built in 1621 in the Essesteijn polder area of Voorburg and now set up as a museum. A guided tour explains the mill, how it works, the miller’s life and the polder landscape; tour availability may vary. Visits are possible from April to October on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 13:30 to 16:30. As seasonal opening hours may change, check the times in advance.

De Salamander is a wood-sawing mill on the Vliet in Leidschendam. Visitors can learn how logs are sawn into planks and watch the sawing process. The mill is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12:00 to 16:00; check the current hours before travelling there. The sawmill and De Moolenmeester education centre are wheelchair accessible.

Routes and other places to visit

For a walk, Landgoedwandelen Leidschendam-Voorburg offers a 10-kilometre route that can be shortened to 5 kilometres. The Vlietzone cycle route is a circular route of about 13 kilometres, starting and ending at the lock in Leidschendam. The two routes therefore differ both in length and in type. Check current signposting, route information and trail conditions in advance. A shorter walk follows the Beeldenroute Voorburg, passing 35 sculptures.

The Leidschendam-Voorburg audio tour shares information about notable places in the town centres of the municipality on a city walk and can be completed in sections. The Oude Kerk can be visited Monday to Friday from 11:45 to 13:00; in summer it is also open on Saturdays. Opening hours may change, so it is worth checking in advance. Park Vreugd en Rust in Voorburg is freely accessible and offers paths through extensive greenery. Buitengoed Dorrepaal welcomes everyone who would like to explore the grounds; highlights include a monumental villa, an animal pasture and a tea room in the greenhouse complex. Check the latest visitor information and tea room offerings before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Voorburg, Leidschendam, Ouderkerk, Lansingerland, Vlist, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Rotterdam, Nieuwkoop.

For the regional travel overview: South Holland.