Walking in the outskirts of Baarn

Baarn is a place with royal allure. From 1948 to 1980, Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard lived in Soestdijk Palace, which is located on the territory of the municipality of Baarn. In 1800, Prince Hendrik van Oranje Nassau, the 3rd son of King Willem II, lived for years at Soestdijk Palace. In the meantime, the palace was often used as a summer residence for various Oranges. And Princess Beatrix currently lives at Drakensteyn Castle in Lage Vuursche, which also belongs to the municipality of Baarn. In earlier days, Baarn was also a city that attracted noble families, as evidenced by the large number of country houses that Baarn is still rich.

A stylish starting location fits this walk through the Koninklijke Baarn. Eethuys - Café De Generaal is located in a monumental building from 1870. It used to serve as a station building on the Baarn-Utrecht line and, in addition to a waiting room for the'ordinary\\\', also had a special waiting room for the Royal family. Many Art Nouveau features have been carefully preserved in the restaurant, referring to the days when the Royal Family and the wealthy of Baarn used'De Generaal\\\' as the starting point of their journey.

After you have taken a walk through the chic Oranjebuurt with its lovely leafy avenues, the walk continues through the Baarnse Bos. This was laid out between 1733 and 1758 as a so-called star forest; a forest with paths radiating from a center to the ends, thus forming a star. The center of the star forest is formed by a long pond, the Great Bowl, and all paths run out like straight'rays\\\' from there. The park-like Baarnse Bos has impressive sightlines due to its star-shaped layout. Also pay attention to the ancient original oaks and beeches that are still standing here and there. In the mid-18th century, the park was filled with statues, including 24 marble Roman Emperors. At the end of December 2013, four large sculptures were placed at the Grote Kom on behalf of Staatsbosbeheer. The artworks were made by Gert Eussen from Zuidveen. They refer to four periods of the forest.

Back in the built-up area, the walk continues over the straight Torenlaan where you soon have a view of Villa Peking. On the same spot there used to be a country house that was built with materials from China. Only a plaque in the current villa still reminds of this former house. Behind Villa Peking is the park-like Peking Garden, which is freely accessible. After you have left the villa behind you, you walk through one of the many beautiful wide avenues that Baarn has to offer, back to the old station building Eethuys - Café De Generaal.