Huys Egmont

About the museum

Huys Egmont is a cultural centre in Egmond aan den Hoef that opened in 2017. Its main user is the Stichting Historisch Egmond, which tells the story of the House of Egmond and its ancestral castle, the Slot op den Hoef, here. There is also a service point of the Bibliotheek Kennemerwaard and a tourist information point. Day-to-day running is the responsibility of its own foundation, Stichting Huys Egmont.

The building lies directly opposite the foundations of the medieval castle of the lords and later counts of Egmond, whose family produced Lamoraal van Egmont, whose execution inspired masterpieces by Goethe and Beethoven. Castle and abbey were destroyed in 1573. In the 1930s the castle remains were excavated as part of a job-creation scheme; the foundations that were built up at the time are freely accessible.

The visitor centre itself occupies a former school building from 1959 and the former town hall from 1871. A permanent exhibition about the lords of Egmond is planned but has not yet been realised; instead, the exhibition space shows changing presentations. Outside, a timeline in the garden, a game of the goose, a family treasure hunt and the "Rondje van Roghman" with five information boards invite visitors to explore.

Highlights

• Opposite the freely accessible foundations of Slot op den Hoef castle
• History of the Van Egmont family and their ancestral castle
• Timeline in the garden that doubles as a game of the goose for children
• Family treasure hunt through the Slotkwartier
• "Rondje van Roghman" with five information boards

Founded

2017

Operated by

Stichting Huys Egmont

Admission & discounts

No admission prices are stated on the website; the castle foundations opposite are freely accessible.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Every Wednesday 1–4 p.m. a children's afternoon with story reading and games (for children up to Year 6, accompanied). There is also "Zoek de 25 verschillen" (spot the 25 differences) on the castle painting, a games table with draughts, chess and "Mens-erger-je-niet", the timeline as a game of the goose with QR codes, and the family treasure hunt.

Getting there & parking

The building is on the Slotweg opposite the bridge to the foundations, near the provincial road N512 between Alkmaar and Castricum; from the village centre via the Herenweg and turn right onto the Slotweg (approx. 400 m).

Amenities & dining

• Café

Coffee and tea are available in the building and in the inner courtyard; with a library service point and an information point for tourists.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 35 guests.

Meeting room West for 18–20 people, presentation room East for 30–35 people; also bookable as a hospitality package with workshop, lunch and a tour of the Slotkwartier.

Plan your visit