Parks with forest allure
Park of Tervuren
Just a breath from Brussels, the monumental Park of Tervuren stretches over 205 hectares. This former hunting ground of the Dukes of Brabant flaunts French gardens, ponds, fountains, statues and historic buildings. But above all: large parts were laid out as woods, so you can take long walks along majestic oaks and beeches along stately avenues. You might even spot squirrels, a tawny owl or a fox.
TIP The park is part of the new National Park Brabantse Wouden, giving access to even more forest experiences.
Park Domain Groenenberg
On the park grounds of the charming Groenenberg Castle in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, the beautiful forest edges immediately catch the eye. In addition to the many oaks, beeches, ash and lime trees, you will come across some special species, such as a trumpet tree, dead bone tree, amber tree and giant sequoia. The wooded park with pond also attracts rare amphibians, weasels and interesting birds, such as the oriole and barn owl.
TIP The Castles Walk (7 km) leads you through both the castle parks of Groenenberg and Gaasbeek and through a charming part of Pajottenland.
Oasis on the water
Abbey of Kortenberg
A water feature makes a park or forest even more idyllic. Thus, the surprisingly large Park (10.5 ha) around Kortenberg Abbey is a blissfully peaceful haven. You can muse there on a bench by the pond or stroll around peacefully. The impressive abbey itself is a protected monument. Did you know that the Charter of Kortenberg was signed here in 1312? It was an important precursor to the democratic constitution.
TIP Highly recommended is brasserie Bar Bruis: : a cozy brasserie and meeting place in a historic abbey setting.
Castle Park Ter Rijst
Perhaps one of the most underestimated castle parks: in Pepingen in the Pajottenland you can completely lose yourself inCastle Park Ter Rijst ( 50 ha). The English landscape garden has several beautiful ponds, nearby are often impressive trees. You will also discover here a romantic plaything typical of a 19th-century landscape garden: the water that meanders through a piece of park like a river is in reality a canal pond.
TIP The park almost imperceptibly connects to a forest reserve.
Great outdoor museums
Botanical Garden Meise
Some gardens are living exhibitions, offering more than just entertainment. In the Plant Garden Meise (92 ha), you can already explore endlessly. With as many as 18,000 species of plants and magnificent greenhouses, this is one of the largest botanical gardens in the world. Outside, for example, you walk from the Middle Ages to a romantic island garden, a flower theater or old heritage trees. Then in the plant greenhouses you travel to different climate zones and biotopes.
TIP Explore the Island Garden via a 400-meter long, meandering jetty and discover various aquatic and marsh plants in unique biotopes.
Gaasbeek Castle Museum Garden.
The walled museum garden (2 ha) at the recently renovated Gaasbeek Castle is a real treasure trove. It pays tribute to the Flemish gardeners, who were among the world's best between 1860 and 1940. Curious about strawberry spinach, sea kale and old cultivation techniques? In the various vegetable gardens with forgotten vegetables you will discover all about it. Furthermore, you can be inspired by the beautiful Italian ornamental garden and see old or rare fruit trees. Unique is the large collection of slate fruit trees in graceful playful shapes.
TIP In summer, brasserie Graaf opens its doors.
Hidden pearls
Park Three Fountains
Do you like discoveries? In Vilvoorde, let yourself be enchanted by the different worlds of the relief-rich Drie Fonteinen (50 ha). You will wander through a magnificent English landscape park from the 18th century, but you can also admire the geometry of a Versailles-style garden and two impressive lines of sight. Surprising: at the edge of the estate, the Japanese garden takes you to the bridges, mountains and towers of the Far East.
TIP The brasserie in the former orangery has a terrace overlooking the French garden.
Waalborrepark
Asse has a well-kept secret: hidden behind a residential area near the train station is the delightful Waalborrepark (4.5 ha). The romantic pleasure garden immediately immerses you in an intimate atmosphere. But it is above all the tree collection that makes this buitenplaats unique. Around the grassy plain are 123 species on display, which a few collectors once brought back from distant travels. Among them are some rare species and remarkably large specimens.
TIP 24 trees are protected as monuments, identified by a white nameplate.
