In the garden of Hofwijck, the layout follows the contours and proportions of the human body. The buitenplaats was designed around 1640 by Constantijn Huygens together with the architect Jacob van Campen. Hofwijck thus tells not only of the period in which it was created, but also of a remarkable design idea: the human body sets the scale for the grounds.

Gardens, Art and Local History

The Notarishuis Museum is dedicated to the history and culture of Voorburg and Leidschendam. Topics include Roman heritage and the life of Princess Marianne van Oranje; exhibitions may change. The Notarishuis also houses a VVV information point with maps, town walks and cycling tours. On guided tours, you can choose topics such as Forum Hadriani or Princess Marianne. Availability and topics may vary.

Public art is part of a walk along the Beeldenroute Voorburg, which passes 35 sculptures. The Oude- or Martinikerk offers a different view of history: it retains a largely medieval appearance and contains elaborate tombstones of prominent residents from earlier generations.

Park Vreugd en Rust also combines greenery with history. The park is freely accessible and invites you to stroll among the greenery. The former country estate includes a former residence and a garden. Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer lived in the house.

Lakes, Wetlands and Trails

Vlietland has three lakes, together covering about 130 hectares within the 300-hectare recreation area. The network of routes includes nature trails, cycling paths and bridleways. Vlietland is freely accessible year-round; check the entrance signs on site, as local access rules may change.

Leidschendammerhout offers a different landscape: this long, narrow nature and recreation area is characterized by wet woodland, rough grassland, reeds and ponds. You can explore it on horseback, on foot or by bicycle. Nieuwe Driemanspolder is a water retention, nature and recreation area between Zoetermeer, Leidschendam-Voorburg and The Hague.

For a hike, Landgoedwandelen Leidschendam-Voorburg offers a 10-kilometre route that can be shortened to 5 kilometres. If you prefer to cycle, the approximately 13-kilometre Vlietzone cycling loop offers a different distance: the lock in Leidschendam is both the starting and ending point. As route conditions may change, check the latest information before setting out. An audio tour shares information about notable places in the town centres of the municipality during a walk and can be completed in sections; its availability may change.

Locks, Mills and Engineering History

The Leidschendam lock complex is a complete 19th-century lock system, comprising a double lock chamber and two bascule bridges. It is also an important part of Leidschendam’s protected townscape. De Antagonist also tells the story of water management. The pumping station was established in 1882 as a steam-powered facility based on a design by engineer J. Goldberg, replacing three windmills that had previously drained the Gecombineerde Starrevaart- en Damhouderpolder. The building was fully restored in 2013–2014; the STIBOM foundation aims to preserve the pumping station and its equipment as a museum.

Molen De Vlieger is a fully operational polder mill dating from 1621, located in the Essesteijn polder area in Voorburg and now set up as a museum. A guide shows visitors around the mill and explains how it works, the miller’s life and the polder landscape. Visits are possible from April to October on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 13:30 to 16:30; check the hours before your visit.

De Salamander is a sawmill on the Vliet in Leidschendam. Visitors can learn about sawing logs into planks and see the sawing process in action. The mill is open on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from 12:00 to 16:00. The sawmill hall and the De Moolenmeester education centre are wheelchair accessible. Check opening hours and accessibility details again before travelling.

Practical Information for Your Visit

Hofwijck on Stationsplein in Voorburg is easy to reach by bus and train. Check current connections and parking arrangements before travelling. The Oude Kerk can be visited Monday to Friday from 11:45 to 13:00; in summer, it is also open on Saturdays, including during Open Monumentendag. Opening hours may change.

Buitengoed Dorrepaal is open to anyone who would like to explore the grounds. The estate includes a listed villa and an animal pasture; there is a tea room in the greenhouse complex. As access arrangements and the tea room’s offerings may change, check the details before your visit.

The region also has a convenient stop for boat trips: Watersportvereniging Leidschendam can serve as a starting point, stopover or resting place. Its marina has more than 300 berths of various sizes; marina services may change. The options here are varied, ranging from routes through nature areas and technical insights at mills and locks to art, gardens and local history.

Discover more destinations: Voorburg, Leidschendam, Oegstgeest, Pijnacker-Nootdorp, Hellevoetsluis, Rijswijk, Zoeterwoude, Krimpen Aan Den Ijssel.

For the main travel overview: South Holland.