Discover De Bilt

If you’re looking for a hotel in De Bilt, you can choose how to explore the area based on what interests you on your trip: historic buildings, art and landscapes. Local points of interest range from the history of the Dorpskerk and the KNMI to sculptures and walking trails. This makes it easy to consider De Bilt as a destination for cultural history or a connection with nature.

Historic Places and Local History

De Oude School is one of the oldest buildings in De Bilt. It was built on land that belonged to the former Vrouwenklooster. The Dorpskerk offers another point of historical interest: built in 1652, it is the oldest church in De Bilt. Its tower is popularly known as “de peperbus” (“the pepper pot”). The local history brings together the former use of a plot of land, a specific year of construction and a name passed down through the years.

The history of the KNMI is also part of the area’s story: in 1897, the institute moved to Koelenberg Estate in De Bilt. If you’d like to explore the municipality’s history beyond individual buildings, the Online Museum De Bilt offers images and archival materials of local and national significance. It provides an overview of the culture and history of the municipality of De Bilt and its six village centres, from prehistoric times to the present day.

Beerschoten: Landscapes and Sculptures

Beerschoten Estate lies on the edge of De Bilt. The landscape is defined by old avenues, winding paths, fields, ponds and stately trees. Historically, the estate was once part of the Vrouwenklooster. The Jits Bakker Sculpture Park in De Bilt is also located on the estate. Its large permanent collection features monumental sculptures in bronze, marble and granite by the internationally renowned artist Jits Bakker. Beerschoten therefore brings together the history of the estate, its landscape and an extensive sculpture collection as distinct points of interest.

Koetshuis Beerschoten provides information about nature and the surrounding area. There is an adventure playground for children beside the visitor centre. These two features offer another distinct point of interest: information about the area and a playground are both right next to the visitor centre.

Walking Trails in and around De Bilt

Walking routes vary in length. At Beerschoten Estate, an approximately 4.5-kilometre walk passes through the old park woodland of Utrecht Landscape. A route is available via the IVN Natuurroutes app; check whether it is available there before your trip. The Biltse Duinen lie between Bilthoven and Bosch en Duin, close to De Bilt. This small nature area includes pine forest, open shifting sands, heathland and old Scots pines. A 1.5-kilometre, red-marked walking trail starts at the end of Bosuillaan in Bilthoven. The stated distances distinguish between the two options, without indicating a walking time or difficulty level.

The Sandwijck walking route can also be planned around specific walking times: it is a five-minute walk from the Kerklaan bus stop in De Bilt and an eight-minute walk from the KNMI bus stop. Walking times may vary depending on path conditions, so take this into account when planning your trip.

Art Market and Annual Planning

The De Bilt Art Market takes place every year on the second Saturday in September in Van Boetzelaerpark. If visiting the market is important to your travel plans, check the date of the event for the relevant year. This lets you plan your stay around a specific recurring event, while the historic sites, collection at Beerschoten and walking trails offer other distinct points of interest to help you choose a destination.

Discover more destinations: Westbroek, Groenekan, Bilthoven

Go to the main travel overview: De Bilt.