The estate
Winding lanes, stately trees, ancient monuments, and fields.
More than just a castle
Here, you experience tranquility, beauty, and a landscape that tells the story of how people have lived, worked, and cared for the land for generations.
The oldest garden of the Netherlands
Huis Bergh Castle possesses a remarkably rich family archive. Among its contents is an account from 1460 or 1461 listing payments to Henrick van den Heyden, Johan die Mey, Lambert Lipoltz, Gerrit van Dulman, and Frederick Wolters for work carried out in the castle garden at the Vinkenberg. Thanks to these documents, Huis Bergh is recognized as the oldest documented garden in the Netherlands.
The garden once served a dual purpose. Fruit trees and a vegetable garden provided food for the castle’s residents, while the space also offered a place for strolling and leisure, featuring flowers, statues, and a fountain. A maze was even added at a later stage.
In the centuries that followed, the garden fell into disrepair, and allotment gardens appeared on the site. The area was restored and redesigned in 2016. ‘De Nieuwe Gaard’ is now part of the larger ‘De Plantage’ park area. Today, it is once again a delightful place for a walk, offering a beautiful sightline towards the St. Vitus Church in Hoog-Elten.
Thanks to archival records and old maps, the garden’s evolution from 1461 to the present day can be clearly traced. Elements from the Late Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Baroque period can still be found in the landscape.
Would you like to learn more? Groups can book a guided tour of the estate. An experienced guide will take you through the garden and the surrounding woods, sharing insights into the garden’s origins and development.
Activitities for groups
Flora and Fauna
The woods surrounding Huis Bergh are home to species such as roe deer, badgers, and pine martens. Bird enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy here. Birds of prey like the buzzard, goshawk, and honey buzzard are frequently spotted, alongside woodpeckers, owls, and songbirds such as the yellowhammer, hawfinch, and crossbill. Even the raven has returned to breed in this part of Montferland.
Lizards and slow worms inhabit the sunny spots and patches of heathland. In summer, many different butterfly species can be seen flying about, including the holly blue, the map butterfly, and the rarer large-headed skipper. Additionally, the surrounding organic farmlands attract a wide range of insects and farmland birds, such as grey partridges and quails.
Thanks to natural land management, nature and cultural history blend here to create a unique landscape. The Huis Bergh estate is thus an inspiring destination for anyone wishing to enjoy peace, open space, and a surprisingly rich natural environment.