Real Estate #3: Kasteel Broekhuizen — A Country Estate of Ruins & Hidden Stories

Sunday, March 15th – 13:00
Meeting point: Bus stop Donderberg, Leersum

For the third edition of Real Estate, our series dedicated to exploring some of the most fascinating villas, estates and historic residences in the Netherlands, we head to the green heart of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug to discover Kasteel Broekhuizen.

Hidden among forests and rolling landscapes near Leersum, Broekhuizen is a country estate with medieval roots and a turbulent history. Over the centuries, it has known periods of prosperity, destruction and reconstruction — and today it stands as a quiet witness to how history, landscape and architecture continuously reshape each other.

During our walk, we’ll explore the estate and its surrounding park, uncovering stories about:

• the rise and fall of the estate
• its phases of destruction and rebuilding
• hidden corners and forgotten traces in the landscape
• and the role of the Van Nellesteyn family in shaping its history

This is not just a visit to a beautiful country house, but a journey through layers of time, where nature and history are deeply intertwined.

### Practical information

• Walk length: approx. 3.4 km
• The route goes through parkland and forest paths, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

### After the walk

We’ll finish at Bistro LOF, the café/restaurant located within the castle estate itself, where we can enjoy a drink together — and for those who wish, also stay for something to eat — in a setting that perfectly complements the atmosphere of the place.

A hidden estate.
A story of loss and renewal.
A walk through history in the landscape.