Across the Veluwe to Het Loo Palace

The biodiversity in the extensive forests and heathlands of the Uddelse Buurtveld and the Asselde Heide is great. The area is an oasis of peace, beauty and harmony for anyone who wants to explore the landscape by bike. There are large open areas where you can look far out over the plain, but these are interspersed with the growth of trees and shrubs. Animals such as red deer and wild boar are no exception in this area, but you can also encounter the rare stag beetle here. The spotted woodpecker drums enthusiastically on the centuries-old trees, a buzzard drops from the sky to devour its prey or you suddenly come face to face with a wild boar. The lucky cyclist crosses his path with a smooth stroke, the shy Honey Buzzard or the rare pine marten.

The Uddelse Buurtveld and the Asselse Heide are part of Kroondomein Het Loo, which was originally a royal estate. Of course, Het Loo Palace deserves extra attention on the estate. William of Orange's great-grandson, Stadtholder William III, bought the castle in 1684 as a new hunting lodge. Due to the natural water supply from the hills, the grounds of Het Loo Palace were ideal for landscaping and water works, for example. The palace has been open to the public since 1884.

Jacobus Roman designed the square main building in a classicist style with a side wing on both sides and the palace was expanded with four pavilions after William III became king of England. To the left and right of the main building are two pavilions that are connected to service wings around the forecourt. Parts of the museum collection can also be seen where the kitchens used to be. The Museum of the Chancellery of the Dutch Orders is located on the top floor of the building. The museum staff is located in the former Orangery. The west wing of the building is used for temporary exhibitions. The Baroque gardens and the palace park are also worth a visit. The interior was designed by Daniël Marot.

Before you visit Paleis Het Loo, you will pass Radio Kootwijk. A monumental building is rising on the Kootwijkerzand. This transmitting station was built in the 1920s to maintain contact with the then Dutch East Indies. The building, which most resembles a combination of a temple and a sphinx, stands out well against the shiny sandy hills and the irregular shapes of the pine trees that spontaneously rise from the sand.