Vollenhoven country estate - De Bilt

In 1651, the monks sold the farm and several private persons lived there. During this period, the house was expanded from a farm to a country estate. In 1827, Baron Van der Capellen, former Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, bought the estate.

In the house, he set up a museum with his collection of objects from the former Dutch East Indies and in the park, he indulged his love of the East by planting many indigenous plants. This situation did not last long, because after the death of Baron Van der Capellen, the museum was dismantled and the estate was sold off in parts. Since 1922, the van Marwijk Kooy family has lived on the estate.

On the estate, you will find a historic kitchen garden where vegetables, fruit and edible flowers are grown in a sustainable way. Less well-known, “forgotten” vegetables are also given a place here, as well as local products such as honey and apple juice. The garden shows how rich and versatile locally grown ingredients can be.

A special feature on the estate is the ice cellar, which has been well preserved. In the past, it was used to keep ice stored in winter cool for months. The ice, taken from ponds or canals, was covered with insulating materials such as straw and sawdust. This kept it usable even in summer, for example to preserve food or cool desserts, an early predecessor of the ice as we know it today.