Nature and Gardens

Explore Utrecht’s diverse landscapes through its historic estates, botanical collections, and wildlife parks. This selection features the sprawling 19th-century English gardens of Castle De Haar and the secluded 14th-century Pandhof cloister garden. It includes major zoological parks like Amersfoort and Ouwehands, alongside unique sites like the National Tree Museum Gimborn and the repurposed runways of Soesterberg Airbase. From the monumental Zocherpark circling Utrecht's canals to the alpine rock gardens of Fort Hoofddijk, these spaces showcase the region's horticultural heritage.

Nature and Gardens — Carte

Rafa.rivero / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Castle De Haar

De Haar Castle is located outside Utrecht, Netherlands. It is the largest castle in The Netherlands.

Unknown / Public domain

B

Zocherpark

One of the oldest existing monumental public parks in Netherlands, designed in 1830.

Mioblo / CC BY-SA 3.0 nl

C

Pandhof Domkerk

A 14th-century monastery garden situated between the Dom Tower and the Cathedral. This secluded courtyard features a bronze fountain and a variety of medicinal herbs and flowers.

Luctor / Public domain

D

Wilhelminapark

This beautiful, English-style monumental park with a pond is perfect for a picnic with family. Visit its restaurant, one of the best around!

Maurits90 / CC0

E

Zoo Amersfoort

DierenPark Amersfoort is a 20-hectare zoo located on the West side of Amersfoort, in the province of Utrecht, on the edge of the Birkhoven…

Ciell / CC BY 2.5

F

Ouwehands Dierenpark

Located in Rhenen, this zoo features the "Pandasia" habitat for giant pandas and the Bear Forest, a large wooded enclosure for rescued brown bears and wolves.

Atsje / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Cantons park

A 3.5-hectare botanical park and national monument in Baarn. Established in 1905, it features a historic Winter Garden greenhouse and diverse tree species.

H

Kasteelpark

Public park situated on the grounds of the former IJsselstein Castle, featuring the remaining 16th-century castle tower and landscaped walking paths.

I

Utrecht University Botanic Gardens

Be amazed by a beautiful rock garden, tropical plants in greenhouses and a theme garden.

Svensson, M. (Fotograaf) / CC BY-SA 4.0

J

Kasteel Amerongen

Historic estate featuring gardens that date back to the late 17th century. The grounds include formal flower beds, ancient orchards, and a large park forest.

K

Nationaal Bomenmuseum Gimborn

The largest arboretum in the Netherlands, home to a world-class collection of rare trees and shrubs across 27 hectares in the Utrecht Ridge.

L

Park Vliegbasis Soesterberg

A former military airbase transformed into a nature reserve. It features expansive heathlands, cycling paths on original runways, and Cold War-era bunkers.