Holland does not get greener than in Boskoop. This village on the Gouwe river is the heart of ornamental plant cultivation and has numerous tree and plant nurseries. Discover Boskoop and its surroundings using the tips below.
By boat through Boskoop
A cruise through the ditches of Boskoop. From April to October, every Wednesday and Saturday, you can see Boskoop and its nurseries from the water, accompanied by a guide. Cruise under numerous bridges, past authentic and commercial nurseries and get informed about the gardens and waterways.
Round trips through Boskoop | vvv-boskoop (vvvboskoop.nl)
Nursery Museum
In the middle of the village of Boskoop is the Nursery Museum. To get a good idea of Boskoop, ornamental plant cultivation and history, it is fun and interesting to visit here. In the exhibition area, you will learn more about the development of tree cultivation from the Middle Ages to today. The authentic nursery house next door has been restored and furnished as it once was. Walk outside and you will find a workshop with traditional tools and the museum garden with a nursery that is still in operation.
Nursery Museum |
Esveld botanical garden
The Rijneveld street in Boskoop is lined with unusual nurseries, shops and restaurants. One such nursery is Esveld botanical garden, a garden plant nursery with a bookstore (with garden books, of course), a garden with a great diversity of garden plants (divided into a number of plots, connected by bridges) and a cosy coffee and tea house with greenhouse: Yume.
For generations, Esveld has supplied the most beautiful and largest range of garden plants to garden lovers all over the world. You buy directly from the grower. Thousands of special varieties are grown at the company in Boskoop. You can buy the plants directly at the nursery. Esveld also buys from dozens of specialised growers.
Esveld Botanic Garden – Boskoop nursery and garden centre
Walking / cycling
In the immediate vicinity of the Proeftuin van Holland, you can walk and/or cycle beautiful trails. Discover the beautiful polder landscape and nature in the Green Heart! There is a TOP location (Toeristisch Overstap Punt) at the Proeftuin van Holland; from this location it is possible to leave your car and from there go for lovely walks or cycle rides in the direct surroundings. Plan a walking or cycling tour in the immediate vicinity of the Proeftuin van Holland. View all walking and cycling tours on the Top Routenetwerk website.
Reeuwijkse Plassen
When you think of the Reeuwijkse Plassen, you think of boating and surfing fun. But these lakes in South Holland, located between Gouda and Reeuwijk, have a lot more to offer. For example, they are a paradise for birds. In winter and summer, they descend here in large numbers. Not for nothing has a large part of this area been designated a Natura 2000 area. From the Prinsendijk, the typically Dutch polder landscape with its wealth of plants and animals is easy to admire. Between the lakes, you walk along narrow roads and around the water you experience the old polder land with its wooded banks, reed beds, dykes and farm roads. It doesn’t get any more Dutch than this! For more info: Groene Hart – Reeuwijkse Plassen (staatsbosbeheer.nl)
Archeon in Alphen aan den Rijn
At Museumpark Archeon, you can experience the living history of the Netherlands. From prehistory around 8800 B.C., Roman times, the Vikings and the Middle Ages until 1350 A.D. All 45 farms, houses and huts once stood in the Netherlands and are inhabited by our Archeon interpreters.
For more info and opening hours: https://www.archeon.nl/
Gouda
The nearby town of Gouda, is world-famous for its cheese, syrup waffles, pipes and pottery. The compact historic city centre with its many attractions, authentic shops, small medieval streets, canals and many courtyards is well worth a visit. For the 10 best attractions go to: Wat te doen in Gouda: de 10 beste activiteiten – Tripadvisor