Slot Zuylen Castle is situated on the river Vecht in the tiny village of Oud-Zuilen near Utrecht. Whilst retaining many of its medieval castle-like features it was converted into a country mansion in the 18th century. Its most famous resident was Belle van Zuylen (Isabelle de Charrière), writer of fame and feminist avant la lettre. Slot Zuylen opened its doors to visitors 60 years ago and has meanwhile acquired museum status. Admission to the castle museum is by guided tour only, which lasts around 75 minutes. Guided tours are given in Dutch, but all are welcome to join as information sheets are available to follow along in English, French or German. 
Slot Zuylen is surrounded by historic gardens, which are perfect for relaxing strolls. One of the main features of the garden is its famous serpentine wall.
Museumcafé Housed inside the former carriage house, the museum café serves fairtrade coffee and tea, organic juices, baked goods and a lunch menu featuring products from the museum garden. It also serves high tea. With various walking and cycling trails passing along the carriage house, the museum café is a lovely spot where all are welcome to relax and recharge over coffee, tea or lunch.

Castle Slot Zuylen

Soestdijk Palace was the residence of Prince Bernhard and Princess – later Queen – Juliana.
History Soestdijk Palace was built in 1650. The then Mayor of Amsterdam had a country house built along the road between the villages of Baarn and Soest: ‘Hofstede aen Zoestdijck’. In 1806, King Louis Bonaparte took up residence in the palace; four years later, the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, took possession of it. After Dutch independence had been restored, the palace was given to William II of the Netherlands in recognition of his services at the Battle of Waterloo.
In 1937, the palace became the permanent residence of Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard. Since Prince Bernhard’s death in 2004, the palace has been uninhabited.
Visiting Soestdijk Palace Nowadays, the palace is open to visitors, and it is possible to take a look inside the royal residence. A visit will give you a good idea of how Juliana and Bernhard lived here. You can wander through the period state rooms as well as a number of private rooms. It is a unique experience, as the original look and feel have been preserved as much as possible.

Soestdijk Palace

Huis Doorn is an impressive castle and estate situated in the village of Doorn. The castle has a rich history tied up with the last German Emperor, and now houses a museum.
Emperor Wilhelm II Huis Doorn is known for being the home of the last German Emperor, Wilhelm II, who lived here in exile between 1920 and 1941. Following the German defeat in World War I in 1918, the Emperor fled to the Netherlands, which was neutral and granted him political asylum.
Wilhelm II initially lived in Amerongen Castle for some time, but in May 1920 moved into Huis Doorn. Because the Emperor liked to surround himself with objects from his home country, 59 railway carriages full of his things were brought to the Netherlands. The inventory of Huis Doorn derives from imperial palaces in Berlin and Potsdam, and includes art, silverware, furniture and carpets reflecting centuries of German imperial history.
After his death in 1941, a mausoleum was built in the castle’s stunning gardens, where he still lies to this day.
Museum Almost immediately after the Second World War, the stately Huis Doorn was requisitioned by the Dutch government, as all German property was considered to belong to the enemy. Therefore the premises were transformed into a museum showing how the imperial nobility lived at the time.
A walk through the elegant rooms of this imperial residence will give you a good sense of Emperor Wilhelm II’s life. The original inventory has largely been preserved, and with its thousands of objects and possessions there is plenty to see.
Pavilion Netherlands and World War I In addition, Huis Doorn also houses a number of permanent and temporary exhibitions. In 2014, Wilhelm II’s garage was transformed into an exhibition pavilion, where the permanent exhibition ‘Tusschen twee vuuren’ (‘Between Two Fires’) tells the story of the Netherlands and the First World War. The Netherlands might have been neutral in the First World War, but the years of war (1914 – 1918) did not pass unnoticed.

Huis Doorn

This unique land and water gate dates back from c. 1400 and is part of the city’s second set of surrounding walls. Travellers could be allowed or refused to enter through this combined gate, even if they were travelling over water. In addition, the water levels in the inner city could be regulated with it.
The gate has largely been preserved in its original state. The ‘treadmills’ are in the part of the gate that was built over the river Eem. These were operated by twelve prisoners treading the steps, setting in motion the windlass to lower the bulkhead, shutting off the river.
In the front of the gate a wooden extension is visible, the so-called ‘mezenkouw’ (tit cage). From here, attackers could be harassed with hot oil or malt when they came too close to the water gate.

Koppelpoort Amersfoort

De Haar Castle is the biggest and most luxurious castle in The Netherlands. It is one of the top European historic houses. A visit to De Haar Castle will take you back to the glory days of the castle and will show you the breathtaking splendour that surrounded the international rich and famous in the early 20th century. You will be amazed at the very un-Dutch luxury in which the Van Zuylen family and their guests lived amidst a wealth of history and art.
Few castles in The Netherlands can equal De Haar for its ideal image of a medieval fortress with towers and ramparts, moats, gates and drawbridges. Like a real fairy-tale castle it rises majestically from parkland with impressive trees, old gardens and ponds. The castle is situated in the centre of The Netherlands, near Utrecht, and is easy to reach by car. There is ample parking space.
De Haar Castle ranks among the top twenty most visited Dutch museums. It is a historic monument  alive with year-round activities such as guided tours (for adults and for children), exhibitions, theatre and events. De Haar Castle is a private foundation and depends entirely on its revenues from ticket sales, activities and events.

De Haar Castle

Situated in the foreland of the river Rhine, on the outskirts of Utrecht, you will find Amerongen Castle. For centuries this property was the stage on which the turbulent lives of the nobility were played out; nowadays the beautifully-restored castle houses a museum.
History The history of the grand Amerongen Castle (also known as ‘het Huys’, or ‘the House’) dates back to 1286, though in the centuries that followed, the castle was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current castle dates from 1680, after its precursor was burned down by French troops in 1673.
It is built in the Dutch Classicist style, and was inhabited by the families of diplomats and members of the military that played an important role in national and international politics. Each generation has left its own mark on the place.
The final resident of Amerongen Castle was the last German Emperor: after World War I, Wilhelm II fled to the Netherlands and briefly stayed here.
Museum In 1977, the castle, the furnishings and all the fixtures and fittings, and the garden were sold, and in the years that followed the castle was converted into a museum. Some of the highlights include the library, the famous 17th-century cabinets by Dutch cabinet maker Jan van Mekeren, and the so-called Wijts collection (which consists of 24 portraits of family members and fellow officers of Jacques Wijts, a lieutenant colonel and strategist in Prince Maurits of Orange’s army). The castle also houses one of the three music libraries in the Netherlands established by noble families.
Garden The vast garden also forms part of Castle Amerongen. Following the reconstruction of the castle, the garden was divided into different sections, and between 1887 and 1924 assumed its current design. The garden reflects four centuries of history, incorporating influences from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque era as well as the English landscape garden style. It is possible to go on a separate guided tour of the garden. The tour starts with a lecture. In the company of a guide you will learn all about the garden and its history.

Amerongen Castle

A monumental building from 1276 with its own brewery and a number of conference rooms, among other things.
In or around the year 1276, the Zoudenbalch family commissioned the construction of this so-called city castle. The building was entirely made of bricks, turning it into some kind of defence house. In 1395, the building got into the hands of the Oudaen family who named it after themselves. From 1758 until 1965 it was used as an old folks' home. After that, it was briefly in the possession of a student association. Since 1986, Oudaen is being used as a catering establishment.

City castle Oudaen

The only pyramid on European soil is situated in the village of Woudenberg.
The Pyramid of Austerlitz is a relic from a time when the Netherlands, under French rule, was subject to massive changes, which still echo through in the present time. Matters such as surnames, the tax system and a registry of births, deaths and marriages have all been introduced by Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Pyramid of Austerlitz

Do you want to escape from the hustle and bustle in the city? Then go for a walk at the Amelisweerd estate. A visit to the Amelisweerd estate and the neighboring Rhijnauwen estate means enjoying nature and all the good things the estates have to offer. Walk one of the many walking routes in the area. You don't have to get bored on the way. Visit farm Vroeg and take a look in the shop with local products, drink a good cup of coffee on the terrace at Het Oude Tolhuys or eat a pancake at Theehuis Rhijnauwen. If you feel like a 100% organic lunch with freshly baked bread after all that hiking, Veldkeuken is the place to be.
Besides hiking, there is much more to do on the estate. Various workshops are given and you can visit Huis Oud Amelisweerd, Fort Rhijnauwen or the Waterliniemuseum. Fancy something active? In summer you can paddleboard and canoe on the Kromme Rijn. This way you discover the area in a completely different way. In short, plenty to do in and around Amelisweerd.

Amelisweerd

Unravel the history of Utrecht by exploring its beautiful castles and country estates. There are some beautiful examples spread throughout the region, reflecting both historic fortresses and plush manor houses. These estates have demonstrated a wide variety of trends in architecture and landscaping across the centuries. The best part: today, many of Holland&rsquo;s castles and country estates are open to all, be it as museums, family-friendly attractions and hotels.
Due to recent corona measures, all non-essential shops, museums and other indoor locations are currently closed. We recommend to always check the locations website in advance for up-to-date information.

Discover all the castles and country estates in Utrecht

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On this page you'll find a couple of castles and country estates in Utrecht region. Found out more on the website of Visit Utrecht Region.

Utrecht Region

New Dutch Waterline

Visit one of these amazing places with your family, business or friends. As soon as the corona measurements will allow. Utrecht for Groups can help you book a visit!

Castles and country estates

Castle Slot Zuylen

Tournooiveld 1, Oud Zuilen

Soestdijk Palace

Amsterdamsestraatweg 1, Baarn

Huis Doorn

Langbroekerweg 10, Doorn

Koppelpoort Amersfoort

Kleine Spui 2, Amersfoort

De Haar Castle

Kasteellaan 1, Haarzuilens

Amerongen Castle

Drostestraat 20, Amerongen

City castle Oudaen

Oudegracht 99, Utrecht

The Pyramid of Austerlitz

Zeisterweg 98, Woudenberg

Amelisweerd

Koningslaan 9, Bunnik

Discover all the castles and country estates in Utrecht

Utrecht Region

New Dutch Waterline

Visit a castle with a group

Castle Slot Zuylen

Soestdijk Palace

Huis Doorn

Koppelpoort Amersfoort

De Haar Castle

Amerongen Castle

City castle Oudaen

The Pyramid of Austerlitz

Amelisweerd

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