Discover Rijswijk: Country Estates, Parks and Culture

In the north of Rijswijk lies the Rijswijkse Landgoederenzone, a green area of around 200 hectares within the urban area. In the south, the Stadsparkzone encompasses more than 160 hectares of green space. These two areas give the landscape distinctly different geographical settings; historic buildings, a museum and themed trails add local history and culture to your stay.

Green spaces between country estates and parks

The Rijswijkse Landgoederenzone includes seven former country estates: De Voorde, Overvoorde, Steenvoorde, Te Werve, Ter Nieuburch, Den Burch and Welgelegen. It also includes three parks: Kruisvaarderspark, Julianapark and Rijswijkse Bos. The zone is part of Hollandse Duinen National Park and the provincial cultural heritage route “Landgoederen”. If you are interested in the connection between landscape and historic heritage, you will find both brought together in this area.

Wilhelminapark is a large recreational area with ponds, meadows and gently rolling hills. In Hofrust Park, an old wrought-iron entrance gate, a country house, a tea pavilion, old trees and a rectangular pond shape the scene. A monument there commemorates the Second World War. Cromvliet Park, meanwhile, features groves and groups of trees, winding paths and lawns. It is also home to the country house of the same name, dating from the 17th century and restored in 1994.

Museum, church and changing themes

Museum Rijswijk collects, preserves and presents the history of the town. Its main subjects include Rijswijk artists, art created in Rijswijk, the Peace of Rijswijk and the poet Tollens, who lived in the building that now houses the museum. The museum thus brings together local art and history with a look at a well-known literary figure.

The biennials also offer changing highlights: in even-numbered years, the Paper Biennale is held at the museum, and in odd-numbered years, the Textile Biennale. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these exhibitions, check the current dates in advance. The Oude Kerk completes the historic walk: it is Rijswijk’s oldest building and was the centre of the village for centuries.

Routes to suit your interests

The “Landgoedwandelen: Rijswijk” route is 6.5 kilometres long and passes some of the country estates and manor houses around the historic centre. It starts at Museum Rijswijk in the Tollenshuis, Herenstraat 67, 2282 BR Rijswijk. Another option on foot is the “Wandelroute Rijswijk: Landgoed, Stad en waterwerk”, which the municipality lists as one of the walking routes in the Rijswijkse Landgoederenzone.

In the old centre, the “Monumentenwandeling Oud-Rijswijk” passes several municipal and national heritage buildings. The “Architectuur in Leeuwendaal” tour focuses on Jugendstil, or Art Nouveau, De Stijl and the Amsterdam School. It also explains the development of the neighbourhood, which was laid out in the English landscape style between 1900 and 1940. If you are more interested in the history of the country estates than in architecture, consider the “Fietstocht langs de Rijswijks landgoederen” cycling tour. It visits preserved country estates that, as private property, can only be viewed from the outside; their history is explained along the way.

Planning your visit and finding a hotel

Sterrenwacht Rijswijk also offers a themed visit of its own: visitors can look at the sky through the large telescope in the dome, and, in clear weather, observe the stars from the roof terrace. Public evenings include astronomy presentations in the reception room, a guided tour, and observations in the dome and on the roof terrace. Since visiting arrangements may change, check the observatory’s current information before your visit.

NS-station Rijswijk railway station is located at Pyramideplein 5, 2283 CK Rijswijk. Plan your visit around the subjects that bring you to Rijswijk.

Discover more destinations: Rijswijk, Rijswijk, Schoonhoven, Giessenlanden, Vlist, Graafstroom, Delft, Katwijk.

See the regional travel overview: South Holland.