Doorn offers nature and culture in several clearly distinct forms: the woodland landscape of Kaapse Bossen, the tree collection at Nationaal Bomenmuseum Gimborn, and the history of Huis Doorn. Which of these shapes your stay depends on whether you would rather focus on woodland, a collection, or historic domestic culture.

Woodland and Tree Collection

Kaapse Bossen is part of Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park, between Driebergen and Rhenen in the province of Utrecht. The woodland covers 425 hectares. Nationaal Bomenmuseum Gimborn in Doorn is the largest tree garden in the Netherlands. Its grounds cover 29 hectares and are home to a world-famous collection of 3,000 tree and shrub species from every part of the world. These nature experiences differ: here, a woodland landscape; there, the specialised collection of a tree garden. Their areas indicate their different scales: 425 hectares of woodland compared with 29 hectares of museum grounds.

The Bomenmuseum organises several themed afternoons each year, with guided walks. The collection and grounds are used to explore topics in biology. The “Boomhut van Max” offers an educational play experience. A treasure hunt and a discovery box invite visitors to explore trees and solve engaging tasks. The activities have different focuses: a guided walk brings together biological topics, while the treasure hunt and discovery box draw attention to trees through specific tasks.

Huis Doorn: Moated Castle, Domestic Culture and Park

Huis Doorn is now a museum and was originally a 14th-century moated castle. Its original furnishings have been completely preserved and provide an authentic picture of international aristocratic domestic culture. Two perspectives on cultural history therefore come together: the house’s origins as a moated castle and the domestic culture conveyed by its furnishings. The park at Huis Doorn covers 35 hectares and is laid out in the English landscape style. The park’s design is therefore also one of the estate’s defining features.

By Bike or on Foot

The Kastelenroute Doorn is a cultural cycling route that starts at Châlet Helenaheuvel in Kaapse Bossen. The short circular walk around Helenaheuvel in Kaapse Bossen near Doorn passes through woodland and hills and explores aspects of cultural history. Your choice of transport offers a clear way to decide: by bike, you can take a cultural route with a named starting point; on foot, you can follow a short circuit combining woodland, hills and cultural history.

Visitor Information

The walking trails and gardens of the Huis Doorn estate are open free of charge all year round from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Check the latest visitor information about opening times before travelling. Huis Doorn also houses the tourist information office for the municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug; check its availability before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Maarn, Overberg, Driebergen, Maarsbergen, Driebergen-Rijsenburg, Amerongen.

View the overview of destinations in the wider area: Utrechtse Heuvelrug.