Villages near Zandvoort | Bloemendaal and Heemsteden

Heemstede

Is a beautiful village just a 10 minute ride from Zandvoort.  Find out the villages near Zandvoort. Heemstede and Bloemendaal are two beautiful villages just a 10 minute ride from Zandvoort. Heemstede numbers about 26.000 inhabitants. Most of the inhabitants are working outside Heemstede. Heemstede has a lot of green with attractive shopping and offers a numerous cultural, sporting and recreational facilities.

Heemstede formed around the Castle Heemstede that was built on the Spaarne River around 1286. Before the year 1296, Floris V, Count of Holland, granted Heemstede as a fiefdom to Reinier of Holy. During the 14th century, a village formed near the castle, which was destroyed and rebuilt several times in this period. The most famous resident of this castle was Adriaan Pauw, who bought it in 1620.

Growth was slow, and in 1787 Heemstede counted 196 families. Even at that early date Heemstede had already gained the reputation it has today, of being primarily a "bedroom community" for the cities of Haarlem and Amsterdam. Wealthy city families left the cities in the summer, escaping "canal fever" which caused illness from the putrid canals. As a result, many estates were built in the 17th and 18th centuries, some of which (partially) remain until today such as Oud-Berkenroede, Berkenrode, Ipenrode, Huis te Manpad, Hartekamp, Bosbeek, Meer en Bosch, Meer en Berg, and Gliphoeve.

In 1857, the municipality Berkenrode was merged with Heemstede. In 1927, the northern portion of Heemstede, including a large part of the Haarlem Forest, was in turn added to the city of Haarlem.

Monuments and parks:

Groenendaal Park: Designed by John Hope, it was formed by merging several country estates into one. Vrijheidsbeeld (Freedom Statue), statue by Mari Andriessen to celebrate freedom and commemorate Heemstede victims of the Dutch Revolt. Located on the Vrijheidsdreef in Groenendaal Park.

Slot Heemstede:

The site of the Heemstede castle. Hartekamp: Heemstede summer home of George Clifford on the Bennebroek border, who hired Linnaeus to write his 'Hortus Cliffortianus', a detailed description of the gardens of Hartecamp. George Clifford's house is closed to the public, but the surrounding gardens are used as a campus and are open to visitors.

Linnaeusbos

(Linnaeus Forest): Originally a part of Hartekamp that was planted by George Clifford and documented by Linnaeus. In 2007 Heemstede will celebrate Linnaeus's 300th birthday. De

Naald:

The 'needle' is a monument placed by D.J. van Lennep to honor Witte van Haemstede, the savior of Haarlem at a battle which on April 26 1304 and to honor the wounded of another battle fought against the Spanish on July 8, 1573. Both battles supposedly took place right at the corner of David Jacob van Lennep's house Huis te Manpad, where the monument stands.

Bloemendaal

The village of Bloemendaal is situated just a 10 minutes ride from Zandvoort. Bloemendaal is also known as the garden of South-Kennemerland. Bloemendaal offers a village, amidst woods, dunes and estates, bordering on the sea and the beaches.

Traditionally this community is well-known for its splendid garden- and landscape-architecture. The country estates and villas form a harmonious unity of high standard. For this reason Bloemendaal is an attractive place of residence and recreation.

National Park Zuid-Kennemerland, with its adjoining beach, forms an essential part of Bloemendaal’s recreational possibilities. Bloemendaal aan Zee has just that little bit extra like dunes, woods, excellent cycling and walking trails. Although situated in the Randstad, Bloemendaal is top of the bill! If you start your walk from the visitor's centre of the National Park Zuid-Kennemerland, the Zandwaaier, you will find lots of information about the dunes and woodland area and our beautiful country estates. Many activities and excursions are organized by the NPZK and start from the visitor's centre. In Overveen (borough of Bloemendaal) the splendidly designed De Zandwaaier dune (information) centre is situated near the Koevlak entrance on the Zeeweg. Highly suitable for children. Visitors should not miss the woodland areas or '' kopjes'' (mini mountains), and in particular the Caprera park. Culture and nature are uniquely combined in the open-air theatre. The beech wood and marshy area offer an unusual natural spectacle.

Beautiful residences

Bloemendaal is renowned in the Netherlands for its beautiful residences. Cycle through the wonderfully elegant districts and be prepared to be amazed. Besides modern houses, the mansions and estates that were built at the turn of the century lend a particular appeal to this district.

Bloemendaal Beach

The beach of Bloemendaal aan Zee houses a large number of trendy pavilions on her 4,3 kilometer long beach. Mostly frequented by youngsters but this seaside resort in the province of North Holland is also being discovered by families with children. Obviously the trendiest beaches of the country, Bloemendaal aan Zee deserve a visit with new events and live performances by well-known artists every summer. Bloemendaal definitely deserves a culinary visit. Whatever you prefer: having a fish snack on the beach or enjoying one of the chef's savoury dishes in a Michelin star restaurant: Bloemendaal has it all!