Wassenaar: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Nature

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

De Horsten also combines landscapes with historic estates. Most of the area is open to the public and has several designated walking routes. De Horsten consists of the estates of Raaphorst, Eikenhorst and Ter Horst. The Jachthuis at De Horsten now serves as a tearoom. In the wider surrounding region, Hollands Duin stretches from Wassenaar to the northern part of Zuid-Holland; walking, cycling and mountain biking are possible there.

Culture

Museum Voorlinden presents solo exhibitions by artists, temporary collection displays and highlights on permanent display. The museum can be reached by car, public transport or bicycle; parking is free. The Clingenbosch sculpture garden contains almost 70 works by national and international artists. During a guided walk lasting more than two hours, visitors explore Clingenbosch along almost 70 sculptures. The garden around Museum Voorlinden is considered to have been designed by Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf.

In the centre of Wassenaar stands the historic Korenmolen Windlust windmill. It is generally open to the public on Saturdays; guided tours for small groups are possible. The Bellesteyn Carriage Museum is located in one of Bellesteyn’s stable buildings. Its collection comprises 42 carriages from the 19th century and three sledges.

History

Prince Frederik bought Huize De Paauw as a country residence in 1838; since 1925, the building has been the town hall of Wassenaar. Huize De Paauw is freely accessible during office hours, but only parts of it can be viewed. Most of Backershagen Park is open to the public. The immediate surroundings of the main building and the residential buildings are private. Backershagen features an octagonal tea dome from the 18th century and a shell grotto built around 1775.

The Rijksdorp bunker complex comprises a command post, an ammunition depot, a field hospital, a kitchen bunker, a bathing bunker and two toilet bunkers. The Rijksdorp bunker complex can only be visited as part of a guided tour; independent access is not possible.

Farming and regional traditions

The farm shop at Boerderij Nellesteijn sells homemade farmhouse cheese and dairy products and invites visitors to taste the products. During the farm shop’s opening hours, visitors can explore the grounds of Boerderij Nellesteijn. During these opening hours, visitors can also walk independently around the farm on the Boerderij Nellesteijn Klompenpad and learn about the animals, farm operations and cheese production.

Experiences

Duinrell offers an amusement park and the Tikibad and promises family entertainment all year round. There are two adventure trails for children: one through Backershagen Park and De Paauw, and one through De Horsten. Numbered stations provide information and questions about the various locations.

Draf- & Renbaan Duindigt hosts both trotting races and flat races with English Thoroughbreds and Arabian horses. Special events at Draf- & Renbaan Duindigt regularly feature additional children’s activities such as decorating horseshoes, inflatable play structures and pony rides.

To the higher-level travel overview: South Holland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Molenwaard, Zuidplas, Midden-Delfland, Zoetermeer, Strijen, Dordrecht.