A city trip to Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Utrecht is a highlight of our little county, but if you want to explore a different side of the Netherlands, the countryside might surprise you. In the Provence of Gelderland there are many castles and estates surrounded by beautiful forests. One of them is the authentic estate of Verwolde, where quietness and singing birds is all you hear, celebrating your holiday in a romantic carriage house of Buitenleven Vakanties.
Text: Angelique van Os | Photography: Henk Bothof
You can wander there without getting lost. By bike, walking or on horseback. You do not even have to go far from the estate and its castle, because Verwolde and the Oranjewoud, which lies on the other side of the Markeloseweg, are equipped with various horseriding and walking paths that run through the forest and along surrounding meadows. Herds of horses, cows and sheep adorn the landscape. And when you go past the Moesgaard, at the end of the road, the T-junction to the right, you are surrounded by meters high cornfields that show off in the summer months in the sky. Furthermore, the typical nineteenth-century houses with the recognizable black-yellow shutters are sometimes beautifully hidden against the lee of the forest. For a long time there were sixty houses that fell under the estate, now there are still about fifteen.
Great coach house
In the heart of the estate that covers about 400 hectares, lies the stately mansion annex castle, dating back to 1776. A stone's throw away from this, completely sheltered by trees and high bushes, you can find the beautiful spacious coach house that was built in 1890. Since 2016 the Stichting Geldersch Landschap and Kastelen, Staatsbosbeheer and Buitenleven Vakanties are taken care of the coach house and it serves as a holiday home. When we close the gate behind us and park the car, a sea of ??beautiful blooming bedding flowers and plants comes to meet us. The house is surrounded by greenery and behind the house you have a 'mini-forest' with wide views for you alone. Inside, it is just such a party, because in the large kitchen, the old hayracks, water bowls and stable fences have been preserved and incorporated in the modern, sleek design. The imposing dining table with space for up to twelve people, invites you to dine extensively and play games in bad weather. It forms a tasteful, quirky whole. Through the hallway we reach the other side of the house, where the living room is located. Even so great, with multiple seating areas of classic interior. We miss a bit of coziness, because the furniture in terms of size actually falls away in space. The wood-burning stove does a great job, however, the worn-out bridles on the wall revive old times and the folding garden doors take the forest inside.
The three bedrooms on the upper floor cover the entire coach house, so there is plenty of room; which is also very pleasant with children. The double rooms each have their own (pour) shower and toilet, and the master bedroom even has a tempting freestanding white bath. When you open the bathroom window in the morning, all you hear is birds singing and the swings of the trees. For lovers there is also a sauna with separate shower available on the landing.
Family Van der Borch
Around the country and coach house there is a canal, where a riding trail runs along the outside. It is quite possible that during a walk you will meet Bella van der Borch with one of her horses. The eldest daughter of baron Allard Philip Reinier van der Borch (1926-2008) has been living at the estate till she was eighteen. Her family relatives lived in the house for two hundred years (1777-1977). She is from the sixth generation. In the living room of the coach house hangs a family photo. The little boy sitting on the ground is her father. After several wanderings, Bella returned to her roots and cultural heritage a few years ago; she lives a stone's throw from Verwolde and makes an outdoor ride almost every day.
In addition to two cousins ??and aunts, Bella's younger sister, Julie, can also be found on the estate. Together they lease a part of the agricultural land and associated houses to dairy farms. Since 2012, Julie runs and manages the Moesgaard and the associated tearoom, landscape store and flower garden. We meet her during the haying with a team of enthusiastic volunteers, the so-called 'forest men', who spend a lot of time in the maintenance of the estate. Every weekday, except Thursdays, there are volunteers at work who together maintain about 150 hectares of land. With a sweaty face, Julie stomps and rakes the gathered hay together on the cart, pulled by an antique simmering red tractor. When she has refreshed herself a little later, she tells about the work and background of her family. "My father renounced the house in 1976 and the grounds within the canal of the estate, because it was no longer workable in terms of maintenance and costs. I was twelve at the time. We moved to the Jagershuis, nearby. Later, after the death of my parents, I also lived there for a few years. For my parents it was quite difficult at first to leave the castle behind. I am very happy that I live here and see how well everything is maintained by Stichting Geldersch Landschap & Kastelen. And everyone can enjoy it. I find that very important, because it ensures a great commitment to the volunteers, as well as to the villagers and of course the day-trippers. There is always something to do. "
Hard working baroness
Julie van der Borch, like her brother and sister and his children, still has a noble title, but she only sees that as a formality. "When people know that I live here, they sometimes come to see the 'baroness' out of curiosity, but I do not really care about it," she says with a smile. The days when there are no volunteers on the floor, Julie runs the tearoom and estate store her self. With a lot of visitors, from hikers to castle visitors, that is sometimes quite challenging. "Sometimes I think, I have to find a 'real' job again, but I this is too much fun. And it is grateful work. Then I just have little free time."
After closing time
Despite the great interest in the castle, especially during the summer when there are guided tours, you hardly notice that staying in the coach house. In fact, after five o’clock the fence is literally locked and you have the realm for yourself. That gives you a privileged feeling, because after closing time you can stroll in silence through the richly landscaped garden of the mansion, walking along the canal, over bridges, enjoying the special trees and the stately avenues. Sitting on the platform we can almost imagine the rich past of the Van der Borch family. In peace we return to the coach house, pull out a bottle of wine and settle us in front of the fireplace. Fully satisfied.
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HISTORY
The estate Verwolde was created through collaboration between the owner Frederik Willem van der Borch and architect Philip Schonck. The latter also worked for Stadholder Willem V. The castle is the first neoclassical house in Gelderland. Remarkable, especially for that time, is that the house was built in just nine months. During the construction period, the sleek, stately garden was also laid out, in which architect Schonck was also involved. In 1795 the landscaped garden was created, followed in 1926 by the current garden, designed by Hugo Poortman. The design by Poortman is clearly visible inspired by the geometric French style of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In the garden there are pieces with a special 'tree path', consisting of a collection of pine trees (pinetum) of more than one hundred years old. Furthermore, there is a Judas tree, tulip tree, handkerchief tree and some specimens bear a special name such as Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood. These names refer to the French Revolution and were planted during the Batavian Republic. And of course just outside the gate in a clearing of the forest is the Dikke Boom van Verwolde, the thickest oak in the Netherlands, with a trunk circumference of 7.70 meters at a height of 1.30 meters.
Finally, there is also an orangery on the estate that is a popular wedding and party location. Events such as music or art exhibitions are also organized. You can find more information about guided tours and the history of Estate Verwolde on the website of the Geldersch Landschap & Kastelen.
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For more info and bookings of the coach house Verwolde, look HERE
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