Castle Day from June 6 to 9, 2025: Get Outdoors!

On Whit Monday, June 9, 2025, it is time once again for Castle Day. This edition of Castle Day has the theme: 'Outdoors!'. With this, we shine the spotlight on all outdoor spaces of Dutch castles, country houses, ruins, and estates. In this blog, you will find the highlights of the day. Which castles and/or estates are the three finalists for the VriendenLoterij Castle Prize 2025?

Theme 2025: Outdoors!

In 2025, we will once again celebrate the Day of the Castle throughout the entire Pentecost weekend (June 6–9). This eighteenth edition is centered around the theme: 'Outdoors!', shining a spotlight on all the outdoor spaces of Dutch castles, country houses, ruins, and estates. In addition to the building itself, the surroundings of castles and country houses are also an important part of this historical heritage. Outdoor spaces are just as varied as indoor spaces: the garden for pleasure, the park for walks, the forest for hunting, and the estate for food. In addition to the greenery, there is naturally much more to be found outdoors, such as coach houses, greenhouses, stables, statues, fountains, wells, terraces, and other garden furniture. Besides their historical significance, these places continue to play an important role today. Castle gardens and estates are a key location for preserving biodiversity and maintaining unique historical plants, animals, and landscapes. Furthermore, the outdoor spaces are once again a major source of energy for castle sites, no longer solely from timber in their forests, but also from wind or solar energy, for example. Various types of gardens can be found at Dutch castles and country estates. These include grand English landscape gardens and formally laid-out French gardens. There are also the iconic stinsen gardens, and medieval herb gardens can be found in some locations. All these gardens differ not only in form but also in planting. Vegetable gardens and orchards cannot be overlooked when discussing castle gardens either. Besides greenery, there is much more to be found outside castles and country estates. Consider, for example, the stone courtyards of the great medieval castles. Furthermore, the stables and garages are often not found within the castle or estate itself, but in a separate small building next to it. In some locations, the boundary between inside and outside is also no longer so clear; think of ruins where the former large interior spaces have been transformed into dilapidated outdoor areas.  

VriendenLoterij Castle Prize 2025 finalists announced

The votes have been counted: the public has spoken, and the three finalists for the VriendenLoterij Castle Prize 2025 have been announced. Paleis het Loo, Stichting Landgoed Kasteel Geldrop, and Landgoed de Wiersse are in the running for the title 'The Most Exceptional Garden in the Netherlands' this year. More than 16.000 people cast their votes. This year, the 'Most Exceptional Garden in the Netherlands' prize is entirely dedicated to the annually changing theme of Castle Day, 'Outdoors!', placing the outdoor spaces of castles, country houses, and estates in the spotlight. Everyone aged 18 and over could vote for their favorite garden via www.Kasteelprijs.nl up to and including Friday, May 2. From a shortlist of ten heritage locations, the public selected their three favorites. They stand a chance to win the title and a grand prize of €10.000. The amount may be spent freely, provided it benefits the location. The top 3 (in random order):

• Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn (GLD). The Baroque garden of Paleis Het Loo is one of the best-preserved gardens from the 17th century. The garden has been restored based on archaeological findings and is managed sustainably. With the prize money, Paleis Het Loo aims to restore the historic kitchen gardens.

• Geldrop Castle Estate Foundation in Geldrop (NB). The estate in Geldrop is a green heart of the region, featuring historic gardens, a Flower Court, a sensory garden, and a petting zoo. It is easily accessible and maintained by 150 volunteers. With the prize money, the foundation aims to make the garden more sustainable.

• De Wiersse Estate in Vorden (GLD). The 16-hectare garden has been family-managed for over 300 years. With a focus on sustainability, the foundation has transformed lawns into botanical hay meadows, banned chemical agents, and enhanced biodiversity. The prize money will be used to further expand the historic kitchen garden and to involve young people more in the garden.

Now that the public has chosen its favorites, an important task awaits the jury. The jury, consisting of garden historian Lenneke Berkhout, student and content creator Dianne Arends, entrepreneur Judith van Lent (founder of MAY & JUNE), editor-in-chief Sander Louis, and Dag van het Kasteel board member Dainahara Polonia, will visit the three nominated heritage sites on May 12 and 13. Based on established criteria – including aesthetics, sustainability, authenticity, ecological added value, and societal relevance – they will issue an expert judgment. The winner will be announced during the kick-off of Castle Day on June 5, 2025, at Soestdijk Palace and wins no less than €10.000. The runners-up in second and third place do not go home empty-handed either: they receive €5.000 and €2.500 respectively. The Day of the Castle at Soestdijk Palace coincides with the start of the spring opening 'Soestdijk in Bloei' at the palace and in the palace park. The opening runs from June 6 to June 29.  

<strong> More info: </strong>

Castle Day, nationwide, 6 – 9 June 2025: https://dagvanhetkasteel.nl/ On Monday, June 9, Whit Monday, 31 South Holland castles, estates, and country houses open their doors during the Day of the Castle: https://www.geschiedenisvanzuidholland.nl/zien-en-doen/activiteiten/dag-van-het-kasteel-2025/ Het Loo Palace: https://paleishetloo.nl/ Geldrop Castle Estate: https://kasteelgeldrop.nl/ De Wiersse Estate: https://www.dewiersse.com/ Soestdijk Palace, exhibition 'Soestdijk in Bloom', June 6 to June 29, 2025: https://www.paleissoestdijk.nl/agenda/soestdijk-in-bloei/