Voorschoten: Discover Culture, History and Trails

Duivenvoorde Castle can be visited independently with a mobile audio tour or with a guide.

Other places: Voorschoten.

Culture and History

The Voorschoten Museum preserves, collects and documents the village’s ancient and more recent history. It offers bookable guided tours through the historic town centre, including Voorstraat, Treubstraat, part of Schoolstraat and the first section of Molenlaan.

In addition to religious services, the Dorpskerk hosts cultural events such as concerts, theatre performances, cabaret and literary events. The former Zilverfabriek van Van Kempen en Begeer in Voorschoten was built in 1858 in the eclectic-classical style and operated as a silver factory until 1984.

The Corbulo Canal was built by the Romans around AD 50 by connecting natural waterways to create an approximately 30 km-long waterway between the Rhine and the Meuse. The National Monument Corbulo Canal in Voorschoten is part of the Lower Germanic Limes, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2021. The archaeological remains of the Corbulo Canal in Voorschoten are a Dutch national monument.

The main building of the Ter Wadding estate in Voorschoten has been a Dutch national monument since 23 August 2010. The Catholic Sint Laurentius church complex was built from 1866 to 1868 in the Neo-Gothic style, based on designs by the architect Th. Asseler. The church complex includes a richly carved Neo-Gothic high altar, made around 1867 by the Belgian firm Peeters & Divoort.

Nature and Trails

The Tree Route in Voorschoten passes 50 notable trees that are visible from or along public roads. The Tree Route is 7.5 km long and can be divided into a 4 km-long northern section and a 3.5 km-long southern section.

The Tree Route is designed as a walking route but can also be cycled; along the Ambachtspad, Zuster Anna Lambooplantsoen, Adegeestpark and De Loozepad sections, bicycles must be walked for parts of the route.

Burgemeester Berkhoutpark is a park laid out in the landscape style between 1936 and 1944 for walking. The entire Burgemeester Berkhoutpark is surrounded by a circular path with several side paths and vistas. Duivenvoorde Castle has a park for walking.

The protected Duivenvoordse en Veenzijdse Polder lies around Voorschoten and is suitable for walking. It includes medieval coppice woods and drainage waterways such as the Veenwetering and Dobbewetering.

Walking Routes

In the region around Voorschoten, the walking programme to the country estates of Prince Frederik includes a route through Voorschoten village centre to De Paauw; two other routes run through De Horsten.

The 10 km-long walking route along the country estates can be started at Voorschoten NS railway station or De Vink NS railway station. The 10 km-long walking route along the country estates in Voorschoten passes five country estates and Burgemeester Berkhoutpark, which was laid out between 1936 and 1944.

To the higher-level travel overview: Voorschoten.