Page 202 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

200  WESTERN NE THERLANDS

1 Vinkeveense
Plassen
Road Map C3. @ s
De Vinkeveense Plassen
(Vinkeveense Lakes) came about
through human intervention –
this site was once marsh. The
thick peat layers have been
excavated over the centuries.
The large towns in the surrounding
area needed peat; sales of this
fuel meant that the people here
started to earn a decent living.
The peat was therefore dug up
more and more extensively,
eventually leading to a large
area of lakes.
Today, the Vinkeveense Lakes
attract many watersports lovers,
cyclists and walkers. When it’s not
the breeding season, you can take
a rowing boat through the nature Stately Slot Zuylen, where Belle van Zuylen lived in the 18th century
reserve of Botshol, which is home
to marsh and grassland birds. summerhouses and boathouses, 3 Slot Zuylen
built over the centuries. It is now Road Map C4. @ 36,120. Castle:
a protected village.
2 Loenen Kasteel Loenersloot, built on Tournooiveld 1, Oud-Zuilen. Tel 030-
2440255. Open Apr–Oct: 11am–5pm
the bank of the Angstel, is one
Road Map C3. * 8,350. Tue–Sun; Nov–Mar: 11am–5pm Sat
@ ( Tue am. of Loenen’s oldest country & Sun. Closed 1 Jan, 27 Apr, 25, 26 &
estates. The building dates back 31 Dec. & 8 ∑ slotzuylen.nl
In the 10th century, this place to the 13th century, though
was called Lona, meaning “water” only the round defence tower The original U-shaped castle
or “mud”. Loenen fell under two remains; the rest dates from the was built around 1520 on the
jurisdictions and has two courts 17th and 18th centuries. remains of a medieval residential
dating from the beginning of the tower. At the beginning of the
18th century. Loenen on the Vecht + Kasteel Loenersloot 16th century, a new castle
is famous for its rural atmosphere, Rijksstraatweg 211. 8 Apr–Oct: Thu was built on the foundations
castles and country estates & Sat. ∑ utrechtslandschap.nl/ of the old house and the
complete with coach houses, loenersloot gateway was added. Up to
the 18th century, extensive
rebuilding brought the castle
into line with contemporary
architectural style.
The author Belle van Zuylen
(1740–1805) was one of the
castle’s most famous inhabi-
tants. She was renowned for her
correspondence at home and
abroad, which she cleverly
used to show her modern
attitude. Several rooms are
furnished as they were when
she resided here.
The serpentine wall that
runs alongside the castle
is interesting because its
unique shape provides so
much protection that even
in this cool sea climate,
subtropical fruits such as
peaches and grapes can
Loenen on the Vecht still boasts an aristocratic appearance flourish here.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p397 and p410

200-201_EW_Netherlands.indd 200 16/01/17 12:05 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.4)
Date 25th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm