Kasteel van Horst
Moated castle in the Hageland, home base of the Red Ridder; the castle is closed for restoration, but you can join a restoration tour.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Kasteel van Horst is first mentioned in written sources in 1434, but the oldest traces go back to the 12th century. The moated castle lies among the green hills of the Hageland and, in the comic strips by Willy Vandersteen, is the home base of the Red Ridder. The square 15th-century keep is one of the oldest surviving parts.
The look of the other rooms is largely thanks to Maria-Anna Van den Tympel, the 17th-century owner. She had the chapel and the coach house built and fitted out stately banqueting halls with splendid stucco work by the stuccoist J.C. Hansche. The castle thus became a country retreat for the Leuven nobility and a base for hunting parties. Because the castle later fell out of fashion, it remained almost untouched.
In 2017 part of a historic latrine collapsed. For safety reasons the castle has been closed to visitors ever since. Herita is coordinating a major restoration together with Callebaut Architecten: the tower spire has been repaired, the façades and the chapel are being tackled, and Hansche's stucco ceilings are being restored. After the works, which are due to be completed in 2027, the castle will reopen to the public and will also be made accessible to people with disabilities.
Highlights
- Moated castle with a 15th-century keep in the Hageland
- Home base of the Red Ridder from the Willy Vandersteen comic series
- 17th-century stucco ceilings by J.C. Hansche (under restoration)
- Chapel with new stained-glass windows in tribute to Maria-Anna Van den Tympel
- Park with the brasserie Het Wagenhuis, freely accessible all year round
- Operated by
- Herita
Admission & discounts
| Children & teens | –The worksite is not accessible to children under 12; young people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. |
|---|---|
| Groups | –Groups can book a restoration visit with a Herita guide. |
| Restoration tour | €8Per person; free for members of Herita and INTO on presentation of their membership card. Advance booking is compulsory, including for members. |
The park is free to enter.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
During the restoration, work is under way to make the historic building fully accessible before the reopening in 2027. The nearest toilet for wheelchair users is in the brasserie Het Wagenhuis. The restoration tour is not recommended for anyone who has difficulty walking; dogs are not allowed in the castle.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 12+
The restoration worksite, and therefore the tour, is not accessible to children under 12. The park is freely accessible.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Sint-Pieters-Rode Horst
By train to Leuven or Aarschot station, then by bus or tram to the Sint-Pieters-Rode Horst stop (De Lijn).
By car
Free parking
There are two free car parks in the Horststraat. The car park for the castle is used by the contractor and is reserved for customers of Het Wagenhuis, families with young children and less mobile visitors. Car park P1 further along the Horststraat is available (Parking van Kasteel, Horststraat 31, 3220 Holsbeek).
The castle is at cycle junction 65 and is the starting point of the Horst route.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
Brasserie Het Wagenhuis is in the park.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 80 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The restoration tour gives a behind-the-scenes look at the worksite. Safety shoes and a helmet are compulsory: wear sturdy, closed footwear yourself (overshoes with steel toecaps and a helmet are provided on site). Depending on the works, the route may change. There is also a virtual tour of the castle. |
