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Grab the bike and taste, experience and discover the Pearl on the Vliet. There is a lot to experience; you discover the silver past of the village and cycle past many monuments that are explained in this online cycling route. Discover the beautiful parks, grab a terrace on the Voorstraat and walk through the castle gardens of Duivenvoorde Castle, along the way on this experience route that takes you past farmlands and water. The information boards in Voorschoten provide you with information about the historical locations in the village center and on the route.

With the connection to the canals of Leiden, this route is 26 km, a round of Voorschoten from TOP Voorschoten is 17 km. 

The Silver Factory
When you drive from Leiden to Voorschoten, the Silver Factory is on your right when you enter the village. The white building is recognizable by its elongated shape with stepped gables at both ends. The founder of the factory was Johannes M. van Kempen III, a businessman from Utrecht. His workshop there had become too small and the municipality of Utrecht did not give permission for his expansion plans. That is why he and his family moved to Voorschoten in 1857, where he was given the opportunity to carry out his grand plans. With its location in the countryside and near the water (the Vliet) and the railway line, the location of the new silver factory was ideal for Van Kempen. From here he could trade. He bought the Berbice estate and the adjacent grounds. There he had his silver factory built.

The meaning of the silver factory for Voorschoten
The arrival of the Silver Factory would give Voorschoten a completely different look. From the beginning - in 1858 - the company was doing well; regular expansion was necessary, until the building took its final shape around 1900. Johannes van Kempen III was not only a smart businessman, but also a socially inspired man based on his Christian beliefs. Van Kempen wanted a factory with steam-powered machines. It was very progressive for that time. Good working conditions had to be created for the workers, which is why large windows and gas lighting were installed. This allowed them to work longer working days.

In addition to good working conditions, Van Kempen also ensured good living conditions by setting up a health insurance fund, a widow's fund and a pension fund.
Relaxation was obtained by joining the music society Benvenuto; the musical instruments were paid for by the company. In addition, the entire staff made a joint trip in the country every summer at the expense of the company with pay.

His successors from the van Kempen family continued the business on the same footing. Among other things, they had fourteen houses built (now part of Leidseweg up to Hofweg) and five houses next to the Silver Factory for senior staff. People loved working at the Silver Factory - from generation to generation.

The silver factory of"van Kempen en Begeer\\\"
In 1919 the company merged with two other companies. After a reorganization in 1924, Carel Begeer was appointed General Manager of the company. The Van Kempen family moves to The Hague. It was not until 1937 that Carel Begeer and his family moved to Berbice. Carel Begeer was much more an artist than a businessman. He had received his artistic training as a silversmith in Germany, which was then at the basis of industrial product design. Begeer wanted to design products that were artistically responsible and attracted (international) artists for this purpose. The - sometimes unique - objects from his period as director are still highly regarded. The company made high-quality silverware such as dinnerware, cutlery, art objects. The silver factory also made many silverware for the royal house.

Places of interest in Voorschoten
In Voorschoten, which is also called Parel aan de Vliet, the story of the silver history in the village can still be seen. Various sights on this cycle route tell the story. With highlights such as the Silver Factory and Buitenplaats Berbice - which are open to the public during the Open Heritage Days (contemporary companies are located in the Silver Factory). But also Museum Voorschoten (silver exhibition at the end of 2019) and Castle Duivenvoorde where silverware from the factory can be seen.

Route
This route is suitable for all ages. The route leads past various playgrounds and parks, making it possible to get off at many times. In Leiden, the cycling tour takes you past the Garden of the Blacksmith, an initiative of a blacksmith who has now realized an organic eating and playing location in the park.

Regal Free

Watch the promotional film of Voorschoten - Wassenaar here .