De Bilt among country estates, nature and history
File:RM De Bilt De Holle Bilt 10 Tuinmanswoning.jpg
Photo: HenkvD via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
De Bilt among country estates and nature
De Bilt combines country estates, woodland and cultural landscapes with striking traces of Dutch history. The municipality is part of the Stichtse Lustwarande, a series of country residences and estates along the southwestern side of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. De Leyen and Beukenburg consist of agricultural land and woodland; paths lead past old coppice plots and through parkland with monumental avenues of beech trees. At Landgoed Beerschoten, gently curving ponds, a flowing stream, meadows with groups of trees and old avenues create an attractive hiking area.
Trails with different rhythms
Landgoed Beerschoten has four signposted hiking trails measuring 3, 4, 5 and 12 kilometres. The starting point of the Beerschoten hiking route can be reached on foot, by bicycle, by bus or by car; bicycle parking and charging stations for electric vehicles are available on site. At Landgoed Eyckenstein, you can hike and cycle through woodland, agricultural land and vistas; gradually, the cultural landscape gives way to a natural landscape. In Noorderpark Ruigenhoek, you can walk the dog, run in the forest, play in the forest playground, fish for trout and follow a children's route. Landgoed Vollenhoven welcomes walkers with a hiking map.
The Westbroekse Zodden are a 267-hectare area within the Vechtstreek and are accessible on paths and trails from sunrise to sunset. The Bert Bospad, suitable for walking in wellington boots, runs through the area and starts at a car park opposite Kerkdijk 85 in Westbroek; information boards explain its history, management and inhabitants.
Churches, forts and local history
The Dorpskerk in De Bilt was built in 1652, is the oldest church in De Bilt and is a Rijksmonument. Westbroek is home to a Reformed church dating from 1467 with medieval wall paintings; Maartensdijk has a Dutch Reformed church from the 15th or 16th century. Huize Gaudeamus in Bilthoven is a Rijksmonument built in 1924 in the Amsterdam School style. Fort Voordorp is part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie and was built between 1867 and 1871 to protect Utrecht and the Utrecht–Amersfoort railway line. The Online Museum De Bilt provides digital information, images and annotated archival items about the history of the municipality of De Bilt's six districts—from prehistoric times to the present day.
Regional impressions and Mathildedag
The Koetshuis Beerschoten visitor centre has a children's route and an outdoor nature playground; it also offers handmade, fresh regional products. The sculpture park of Jits Bakker next to the Koetshuis Beerschoten displays 31 of his sculptures, is free of charge and accessible to wheelchair users. Molen Geesina is a flour mill on the Ruigenhoeksedijk in Groenekan; during opening hours, guided tours are available and flour can be purchased in the mill shop. Vegetables, edible flowers, fruit and herbs are grown sustainably in the historic kitchen garden of Landgoed Vollenhoven. Other products from the estate include forgotten vegetable varieties, honey and apple juice; products from the organic kitchen garden are sold at Landgoed Eyckenstein. Mathildedag is celebrated in De Bilt on 14 March. The day commemorates the donation of the lands of present-day De Bilt to Oostbroek Monastery on 14 March 1113.
In De Bilt stands the Dorpskerk; in Bilthoven there is Huize Gaudeamus; in Westbroek you will find the church and the Zodden; and in Groenekan stands Molen Geesina.
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