Wassenaar, South Holland. Heard of it?
No worries if not. Wassenaar is a bit of an understated, under-the-radar destination. Geographically speaking, part of The Hague but you wouldn’t know. Wassenaar has retained its small town charm.
A wealthy town with royal residents- the King of the Netherlands and his family live here and can be spotted around town- Wassenaar is a pretty place where you can find an authentic Dutch experience. And despite a largely unremarkable history, some lovely historic spots.
My favourite things to see and do? Oh glad you asked, I’d love to share.
Old Wassenaar
A handful of streets giving a glimpse into where it all it began.
Historically speaking, Wassenaar was very quiet up until WW2. This was a land of country estates and elegant villas, rural living and a gentle pace of life. Remaining are old streets lined with traditional red brick buildings, a tree lined square and the historic water pump or plein.
The old water pump. A beautiful monument, originally both the literal and social centre of village life. A place where news was exchanged, celebrations started and people gathered. I imagine there was many a nugget of gossip exchanged by that pump.
In the warmer months, nearby bars layout seating. The perfect place to stop for a drink and watch the world go by.
The Dorpskerk
Love a good church, love a good churchyard. Look out for them everywhere I go. Wassenaar gave me the Dorpskerk, or village church. Medieval in origins but added to over the centuries and benefiting from a major restoration in the 1940’s, both the church and yard are worth a wander.
Shopping in Wassenaar
Well, sort of. I’m not a big shopper when travelling but I do love a good browse and a wander. Wassenaar’s main street runs from the old village through to the heart of the modern town, and the side streets running from it are full of boutiques, cafes and pretty corners.
Being a wealthy town, there’s high end places if you want to blow the budget. But also plenty of indy shops and quirky places. Pretty florists, cheese shops, boutiques selling things you never knew you needed.
Of course, you don’t even have to shop at all. Just wander, enjoy the pretty streets and the (sometimes historic) shopfronts.
Ice Cream @ Luciano’s
Every flavour of ice cream and sorbet imaginable, cakes and the cutest interior. This place also features a Willy Wonka-esque chocolate tap. What’s not to like?
Alongside the sweet and creamy treats, this is also a good spot for breakfast with a menu running from the virtuous to the indulgent. Great coffee, too.
A Wassenaar institution, not be missed.
The Windlust Windmill, Wassenaar
Would it even be Holland without some windmill love? The Windlust is a beauty, a heritage workhorse that could have been lifted straight from the pages of a storybook. But it’s also still functioning and adapting use of space to serve the community.
The mill grinds flour which is sent to the local Kaptein family bakery. Cakes and breads made from the flour can be enjoyed just round the corner from the mill at Bakker Kaptein. It doesn’t come much more locally sourced than that.
A gallery within a monument, the ground floor of the mill houses an exhibition space for local artists and host space for events.
The Beach & Dunes
A short cycle out of the town centre and you’re in a different world; the coastline of the Wassenaarslag beach and the wild dune landscape of the Meijendal nature reserve. Both offer up plenty of opportunities to get active with miles of cycling and hiking trails. At the beach, plenty of watersports if you’re up for braving the North Sea chill.
Historically speaking, Wassenaar has been a quiet place. However, WW2 changed that. There are many memorials and traces of war history to explore, including the touching Waalsdorpervlakte Resistance memorial and the the Atlantic wall defences (now a bat sanctuary and so enjoying full protected status).
The Pancake House: Pannenkoekenhuis ‘s-Gravesande
You can’t miss this place in Spring and Summer, just look for the flowers. The Pannenkoekenhuis ‘s-Gravesande terrace blooms beautifully with hundreds of planters of pretty flowers. Including, of course, plenty of tulips for that extra bit of Dutch-ness.
The pancakes are spectacular, huge and loaded to your liking, sweet or savoury. Syrup and icing sugar on the table for you to add as you please. A budget friendly place serving up delicious food, highly recommended.
These are just a few of my favourite things in Wassenaar, to find out our more about this lovely Dutch town, have a look here.
Helen x
I’m very much in favour of Under the Radar. This post makes it clear that there’s plenty to enjoy in this town (not just pancakes and ice cream, though they’re important too!), with presumably the benefit of far fewer tourists. My kinda place! Thank you for the hints.
Thanks for coming along Margaret 😊
Any time. You’d be a great travelling companion.
You’ve got me well and truly sold on this one, Helen. Cheese, pancakes, working windmill and the cutest houses. And then a stroll in the dunes. No doubt about it- I’d love it there.
I think you would Jo, great place for a walk and no shortage of coffee and cake stops 😊
What a charming place!
Thanks Sheree, charming is exactly what it is 😊
The cutest town I’ve never heard of 😊 I especially love that first picture of the colorfully trimmed house. Maggie
I loved that little house, it looked like an old farm building converted. Very charming 😊
Oh I love places like this where the tourists are largely absent….what a lovely town to visit 🙂
Thank you, there is something satisfying about being off the well trodden path, isn’t there?
This looks like the perfect place to spend a day or two.
Thanks Jolayne, Wassenaar is lovely. I could certainly have spent another few days there!
Looks lovely. Could be a day trip from Amsterdam.
Yes! Only about 35-40 minutes drive but you can get the ferry into the city from nearby too. Having experienced the traffic around Amsterdam, that would be my choice 😬
Sounds a lovely place Helen. I would have expected them to make more of their royal residents, but it didn’t sound like it. The windmill does look lovely 😍
I know, when I first found that out I had to double check. The family seem to go about their business much like everyone else, and you can walk quite close to the royal estate. I’m glad yog liked the windmill, I find them fascinating.
Yes, me too. I.have a nephew in Lincoln, I was quite taken by the one they have on top of a hill at the back of the castle/cathedral
I adore Dutch towns and thus looks a beauty with its colourful shutters, interesting little shops and delicious pancakes!
There’s just something about the Dutch towns and suburbs, so many lovely places.
No, never heard of it but now having done so I can’t wait to get there. First stop, that pancake house!
Oh yes, must fuel up for busy days exploring! I did think about trying to recreate the Dutch style pancakes at home but suspect that could be dangerous. Best kept a treat.
I had never heard about Wassenaar before this but it looks like a town lifted straight from a storybook. So picturesque, Helen. Add a beach to it and it’s simply perfect. Really loved this post.
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Anywhere near the sea is a good place to be!
it looks perfect! thanks for showing me this gem!
I think you’d like it Tanja, great for the family and lots of pretty corners.