Huis Verwolde

About the museum

Verwolde is first mentioned in 1346, when the property passed to Derck van Keppel; it presumably served the lords of Keppel as a hunting lodge. The present house was built in 1776 for Frederik Willem van der Borch and his wife Sophia Juliana van Rechteren and, for Gelderland, was designed in the then entirely new neoclassical style.

The Van der Borch family lived in the house for two centuries. Thanks to the Stichting Familie Van der Borch, it remains to this day a fully furnished family home with portraits, decorated porcelain, children's toys, historic furniture, linen and copper cookware. The impression is that the family and staff could return at any moment; among the highlights is the restored Chinese Room.

Today Geldersch Landschap & Kasteelen looks after the house. On guided tours, visitors see the bel-étage, the lower house and the upper floor; the park garden around the house is part of the still privately owned Verwolde estate, which is freely accessible. A leaflet on the “Bijzondere Bomenpad” with information about the trees around the house is available in the museum shop.

Highlights

• Neoclassical country house from 1776, fully furnished as a family home
• Restored Chinese Room
• Family portraits, children's toys, porcelain and household items of the Van der Borch family
• Lower house with listening stations and objects to touch
• Park garden with the “Bijzondere Bomenpad” and orangery
• Theeschenkerij in the old kitchen with a terrace by the large pond

Permanent exhibition

• Huis Verwolde – eingerichtetes Familienhaus – The bel-étage, lower house and upper floor show the daily life of the Van der Borch family and their staff, including the Chinese Room, library and nursery.

Operated by

Geldersch Landschap & Kasteelen

Admission & discounts

With Museumkaart, ICOM card, VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART and as a donor of Geldersch Landschap & Kasteelen, admission during regular opening hours is free (show your card); not valid for special tours and events. Different prices apply then.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Via gravel paths behind the house you reach two outdoor lifts to the lower house and the bel-étage (for wheelchairs and rollators, not for scooters or electric wheelchairs). The lower house has seating and portable folding stools to take along, plus audio fragments and objects to touch. Two disabled parking spaces at the orangery (parking permit required), about 200 metres from the main car park. The orangery has an accessible toilet; companions free. The garden paths of compacted sand are harder to navigate in rain. The Theeschenkerij has a table for wheelchairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children slip into the role of a Freule or Jonker; scavenger hunt with Knapzak and nature expedition on the estate, special activities during the holidays. Children's parties for 6- to 10-year-olds. Prams and pushchairs are not allowed in the house (baby carriers permitted); changing mat for babies on request.

Getting there & parking

Satnav address: Jonker Emilelaan 4, 7245 TL Laren (Gld). The Pieterpad passes the estate.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Theeschenkerij in the old kitchen and on the terrace by the large pond: coffee, tea and pastries, plus a small menu (quiche, tosti, poffertjes). Museum shop with children's toys, books and souvenirs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings, children's parties, conferences, venue hire as well as photo and film shoots; enquiries via the house's contact form. Overnight stays possible in the Koetshuis on the estate.

Plan your visit