Terrestrial Globe Fountain COTSWOLD Travel


Dutch delights


In an occasional series on gardens of Northern Europe, Julie Dolphin travels to the forests of the Netherlands in search of spectacular baroque gardens.


DEEP in the heart of the Netherlands’ countryside are 17th century gardens so meticulously restored, you would be forgiven for thinking you had arrived there in a time machine. The baroque gardens of Het Loo Palace


in Apeldoorn were developed more than 300 years ago by the Dutch ruler William of Orange and his wife Mary who would later take the English throne. The couple shared a love of gardening,


82 COTSWOLDESSENCE | March - 2014


commissioning the finest designers and ensuring Het Loo’s reputation as a must- see horticultural destination for exquisite, formal baroque design. Dr Renske Ek, Scientific Garden


Advisor to Het Loo, said: “William and Mary spent lavishly on the gardens. They had a real interest in the study of the natural world and were keen collectors of exotic and rare plants. The gardens allowed them to flaunt their wealth and


status and were used to entertain, as a place to eat and for theatre.” In 1984, the palace and gardens were


opened as a national museum following a seven-year restoration programme. Every effort was made to ensure the reconstruction was authentic. “Numerous prints and drawings were


studied and because the gardens were well regarded and visited at the time, they were described in various letters and


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