The best gravel rides in Oisterwijkse Bossen En Vennen

beautiful nature and silence

https://www.kasteelnemerlaer.nl/ Yes! Perhaps it's time to clear up a misunderstanding. This: Kasteel Nemerlaer is NOT a museum. It is also NOT a gallery. It is an ancient, historic building, which from the beginning we tried/are trying to furnish in such a way that it is interesting for ALL people. E.g. for people who love art and do/do not have expertise in it, there is "difficult" and also quite often more accessible art. For people who are not so much into the art scene, but are interested in other things in the castle: e.g. a lot about the construction and interior design. And photos of the castle through the centuries. Furthermore, nature objects/photos. Stories. And always children's activities. In short: a castle for everyone. We are happy to explain this now because sometimes a true art connoisseur comes with a remark like this: "Peculiar castle, but you should be a bit more uh... elitist in what you exhibit as art. There are beautiful things hanging and standing, yes, but not everything we see is uh... great art." And that is correct. We know that. It is a conscious choice, because, sorry: Kasteel Nemerlaer is not a museum and not a gallery. We love pleasant accessibility for EVERYONE! Visitors who understand this are always welcome in this people-friendly castle for castle-friendly people. Where we always try to have something for everyone.

A perfect gravel path

One of the most beautiful and largest fens in this area

Nemerlaer Castle is situated on the edge of the Beerze stream valley, between Oisterwijk and Haaren. The castle is one of the oldest in North Brabant and was mentioned in historical sources as early as the 14th century. The name Nemerlaer supposedly refers to "no one's forest" or "no one's land," indicating that the area was once a free and undeveloped landscape. The original castle originated as a fortified house that served to protect the surrounding land and trade routes. Over the centuries, the building was expanded and modified several times. The current appearance of the castle, with its towers, moat, and surrounding park, is the result of various renovations, primarily in the 16th and 17th centuries. During the Eighty Years' War and subsequent conflicts, the castle was damaged but was repeatedly repaired. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the estate increasingly took on the character of a country estate with a park and avenues. Today, Nemerlaer Castle is a cultural and historical center that regularly hosts exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events. The estate surrounding the castle offers a peaceful walking area with mature trees, avenues, and views of the Beerze valley, bringing history and nature into close proximity.

Deep in the woods of the Baest Estate, hidden among ancient oak trees and quiet lanes, lies the Chapel of Our Lady of the Holy Oak. This small pilgrimage chapel has a centuries-old history dating back to the 15th century. According to tradition, a statue of the Virgin Mary was found in an oak tree at this location, after which miracles were said to have occurred. The news spread quickly, and the place soon became an important place of pilgrimage. The first wooden chapel was later replaced by a stone building, so that the thousands of pilgrims who flocked to this forest annually had a permanent place to venerate Mary. Even today, the chapel exudes a special atmosphere. Candles still burn inside, and benches are placed outside where walkers and visitors can take a moment to relax. The chapel is a prominent feature of the Baest Estate: a place where nature, faith, and history intersect. As the Beerze River meanders peacefully through the landscape, the chapel seems to watch over the woods as a silent witness to centuries of popular devotion.

Very nice wooded gravel road

A beautiful Brabant castle in the heart of the Kampina nature reserve. Plus a cozy café, perfect for a snack or lunch break.