In and around Zeist

Fields surrounded by forests, oak coppice forests and old canals and old avenues where American oaks rise high to the sky. The Kozaksput near Zeist is a beautiful area that is ideal for cycling trips. Those who pay attention will catch a glimpse of the long-eared owl, which hunts its prey in this area. The Cossack Pit takes its name from the fact that in 1804 a 20,758-strong French-Batavian force conducted army exercises and camped here. The lieutenant general at the head of this army had 30 wells dug 10 meters deep on the heath to provide his troops with water. Zeist is first mentioned in a charter from 838. The core of the then settlement was located around the current 1st and 2nd Dorpsstraat, where a church was built at the end of the twelfth century. The current church was built in the nineteenth century, but still contains the original tower of the old church. The development of Zeist was dramatically influenced by the construction of Slot Zeist in 1685. Many exhibitions of modern artists were held in the beautiful castle. Zeist also has a few beautiful other monuments, such as the Kerckebosch Castle, which with its beautiful stained glass windows is hidden in the woods on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Villa Blanda is another beautiful property that you can view during your bike tour. This former Utrecht country estate was once surrounded by a gigantic landscape park, of which you can now only see some remnants: the lawn and the trees that line the semi-circular driveway. The rest of the park has now been built on. The gatehouse at the country house was built in 1913 in country style, while the main complex has a more eclectic feel.