Wassenaar: Art, Estates and Nature

At Museum Voorlinden, solo exhibitions and temporary presentations from the collection alternate with highlights on permanent display. The area also has historic estates, natural areas and attractions with very different visitor arrangements. You can tailor a stay in Wassenaar around art, landscape or individual guided tours.

Art and Designed Landscapes

The exhibition programme at Museum Voorlinden includes solo shows, changing presentations from the collection and highlights on permanent display. The garden around the museum was designed by Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf. The surrounding landscape includes forests, dunes, meadows, waterways and landscaped gardens. You can reach the museum by car, public transport or bicycle; parking is free. Check your travel arrangements before setting off.

The Clingenbosch Sculpture Garden features almost 70 works by national and international artists. It can be visited as part of a guided walk along the sculptures, which takes more than two hours. Tours are scheduled seasonally; check the dates for your trip.

Estates and Historic Buildings

De Horsten consists of the Raaphorst, Eikenhorst and Ter Horst estates. Most of the grounds are open to the public and include several marked walking routes. The Jachthuis now serves as a tea house; if you are making specific plans, check the current service arrangements. Three walking routes have also been created to explore the former country residences of Prince Frederik.

Huize De Paauw was purchased as a country residence by Prince Frederik in 1838; since 1925, the building has served as Wassenaar’s town hall. It is freely accessible during office hours, but only parts of it can be visited. Parking at Huize De Paauw is limited, so it is worth checking the parking situation before your visit. Most of Backershagen Park is open to the public. The immediate surroundings of the main building and residential buildings are private. Notable garden features include an octagonal tea dome dating from the 18th century and a shell grotto built around 1775.

There are two adventure trails for children: one through Backershagen Park and De Paauw, and another through De Horsten. Numbered stops provide information about the various locations and ask questions about them. Bunkercomplex Rijksdorp offers a different perspective on history: it includes a command post, an ammunition depot, a field hospital, a kitchen bunker, a bathing bunker and two toilet bunkers. It can only be visited as part of a guided tour, not independently. Check in advance whether a suitable tour is available.

Meijendel, the Coast and Trails

The entrances at Wassenaarse Slag provide access to the northern part of Meijendel. From the entrance, you can reach Ganzenhoek Forest. De Tapuit is the starting point for visits to Meijendel. The interactive visitor centre focuses on the area’s animals and water extraction; it also offers walking and cycling routes, as well as an aquarium.

Two distances are useful for cycling trips: a 26.5-kilometre route starts at the De Tapuit visitor centre. Another route is 40 kilometres long in total; a 14-kilometre section can be cycled from Wassenaar. In the wider region, Hollands Duin stretches from Wassenaar to the northern part of Zuid-Holland. Walking, cycling and mountain biking are possible there. The coast and beach at Wassenaar are also important for recreation and tourism and are enjoyed by people from the region for nature and beach experiences.

Farm Shop and Smaller Collections

The farm shop at Boerderij Nellesteijn sells homemade farmhouse cheese and dairy products, which visitors can also sample. The grounds can also be visited during the farm shop’s opening hours. At that time, you can walk around the farm independently on the Klompenpad and learn about the animals, farm operations and cheese production. The farm shop’s opening hours are therefore also important for these visits.

The historic Korenmolen Windlust is located in the centre of Wassenaar. Its base dates from 1668, and the upper section was built around 1700. In general, the mill is open to the public on Saturdays; tours for small groups are possible. As opening arrangements may vary, check the current visiting options. The collection at Rijtuigmuseum Bellesteyn comprises 42 19th-century carriages and three sledges. The private museum is housed in one of Bellesteyn’s stable buildings; small groups of visitors are sometimes given tours. Check in advance whether a visit is possible.

Racing and Leisure Activities

Duindigt Trotting and Racecourse hosts trotting races as well as flat races with Thoroughbreds and Arabian horses. Free guided tours give visitors a behind-the-scenes look and include a visit to the stable grounds. Check the programme if you plan to join a tour. Special events regularly include extra activities for children, such as decorating horseshoes, bouncy castles and pony rides.

Duinrell offers an amusement park and the Tikibad water park, promising family entertainment all year round. Which of these varied outings suits your stay depends on whether you would rather plan exhibitions, historic sites, trails through the landscape or a leisure activity.

Discover more destinations: Wassenaar, Wassenaar, Kaag En Braassem, Rijswijk, Strijen, Bergambacht, Zuidplas, Maassluis

For the overview of the wider region: South Holland.