If you are planning a stay in Heemstede, you will find a range of things to focus on: walks, nature, cultural history and animals. This makes it easier to choose if you think in advance about the kind of discovery you would like to focus on.
Walking trails in Wandelbos Groenendaal
Wandelbos Groenendaal has two walking trails with different focuses. The red walking route is about 4.2 km long, providing an approximate guide for planning your route. The white cultural history trail takes a different approach: along the route, you will find historical descriptions and information about sights. If you enjoy learning more about history and places of interest as you walk, this trail offers a fitting thematic focus. The two routes can therefore be considered according to different interests: the approximate stated length of one, and the cultural history content of the other.
Nature themes in Meermond Park
In Meermond Park, the play forest combines space to play and explore with another way to engage with the surroundings: the sustainability trail. Its signs provide information about the environment and the surrounding area. This means two different themes take centre stage in the same park: free exploration in the play forest and information about nature and the environment along the trail. If you would like to combine a walk with something to think about, you can take this focus into account when choosing.
Traces of history in Heemstede
Het Oude Slot is a surviving remnant of Heemstede’s former castle. Distinct from this are the foundations of the former castle at Het Oude Slot: they are separately protected as an archaeological Rijksmonument, or national monument. The complex and the protected foundations therefore represent different aspects of the castle’s history: the surviving remnant and the archaeological remains.
Another historical trace is the Pons Pacis, also known as Vredesbrug. It was built in 1648 to commemorate the Peace of MĂĽnster. The name, year of construction and occasion are all connected here: the bridge commemorates a specific historical peace settlement. Those interested in cultural history will find different points of interest at Het Oude Slot and the Pons Pacis, although the two are not the same kind of historical evidence.
Children’s farm ’t Molentje also has its own clearly defined focus. It is the oldest municipal children’s farm in the Netherlands and is home to more than 200 animals from around 40 breeds. These figures give an idea of the variety of animals; they also distinguish the site thematically from the walking trails and historical sights.
Plan an outing and a concert
You can discover Huis te Manpad on an excursion, which also includes a walk through the park. The visit therefore combines an excursion with time outdoors. For the tea concerts at the Oude Kerk, the following applies: if a concert is included in the current programme, it starts at 3 p.m., lasts about an hour and is free to attend. Check the dates before your trip before adding the concert to your day’s plans.
For your planning, it helps to choose your preferred focus first: a walking route, nature and the surrounding area, historical traces, animals or a concert. If you are looking for a hotel in Heemstede, you can use this to decide which discoveries you would like to shape your stay.
For the main travel overview: Heemstede.
