Westlands Museum

About the museum

The earliest predecessor of the museum is an Oudheidskamer (local antiquities room) that opened in 1908 in Naaldwijk, initially in the 17th-century Raadhuis. In 1935 two committed Westlanders founded the Genootschap Oud-Naaldwijk, which revived the collection in a former chapel in the Heilige Geest Hofje; from 1953 it was called Westlands Streekmuseum. In parallel, the Tuinbouwmuseum was established in 1980 at the Hof Cruijsbrouck, and the local history research groups joined together in the Westlands Centrum voor Streekhistorie.

These three institutions gave rise in 1991 to the Westlands Museum. In 1993 it moved to its present location on the Middel Broekweg in a converted farmhouse: the oldest mention of the farm dates from 1623, and the present building was erected by the farmer Adrianus Olsthoorn in 1865. Behind it, a historic garden was created following a design of 1973, in which a former Westland horticultural business is recreated using authentic materials.

The permanent exhibition leads from the Roman period through the Middle Ages and the 18th century to the present and shows how the Westland became the largest glasshouse horticulture area in the world. In 2025 the Stichting Kunstmuseum Westland joined; since then the museum has also been devoted to fine art with a Westland connection, alongside horticulture and regional history.

Highlights

• Historic garden with vegetables, fruit, flowers, a grape wall and old greenhouses
• Permanent exhibition from the Roman period to today on the development of the Westland
• Speelzolder for children aged 5 to 12 with a discovery route
• Museum café and shop with produce from the garden
• Kenniscentrum with over 9,000 publications on Westland history

Permanent exhibitions

• Vaste expositie – Permanent exhibition from the Roman period through the Middle Ages and the 18th century to today: how the Westland became the largest glasshouse horticulture area in the world, with gardener families from past and present.
• Historische tuin – Historic garden with flowers, vegetables and fruit trees showing the development of horticulture from 1700 to today; with a herb corner, an old vine house cash desk, fruit wall and chickens.

Founded

1908

Operated by

Stichting Westlands Museum

Admission & discounts

Free admission with Museumkaart as well as for donors and corporate friends.

Accessibility

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

Suitable for wheelchairs and rollators, except for the information centre and Speelzolder; exhibition on the upper floor by lift. Two basic wheelchairs and two rollators can be reserved free of charge.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Speelzolder with interactive stations on greenhouse cultivation (ages 5–12) and a discovery route through the museum and garden; workshops for children.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located on the N466 between Rijswijk and Naaldwijk. Drive via the A4, exit 12 (Den Haag-Zuid), N222 towards Kwintsheul, then Zwethlaan to the Middel Broekweg.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Museum café in the foyer and Hooiberg with coffee, tea, drinks, pastries and apple pie; terrace at the back. Shop with seasonal fruit and vegetables from the garden, jam, honey, local beers and books on the Westland. Consuming your own food and drinks is not permitted.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 60 guests.

Group room De Hooiberg for up to 60 people with Wi-Fi, screens and flip chart; historic auction hall for presentations; weddings and photo shoots in the garden (photo shoot €100); catering by the museum.

Plan your visit