Hillegom can be explored through several layers of history: the area around Kerkplein is designated as a protected historic village centre, while the history of Kwekerij Veelzorg tells the story of changing cultivation practices. Hillegom has three types of built heritage: national monuments, municipal monuments and buildings of distinction. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Hillegom, these themes offer a clear guide to choosing your destination. The village setting, historic buildings and walking routes each offer a different focus. You can plan your stay around whether you are more interested in local history or nature.

Architecture and local history

't Hof van Hillegom was a former resting place for the Counts of Holland. The building’s core, and especially its cellar, are still medieval. For more than 800 years, 't Hof van Hillegom has been the historic heart of Hillegom. Its historic function and its fabric offer different perspectives: the resting place tells of the building’s former role, while the cellar and core point to its medieval architectural history.

Kwekerij Veelzorg adds the history of agricultural change to the story of Hillegom. It was established in Hillegom in 1822. For five generations before that, potatoes and vegetables were initially grown there; from 1850 onwards, the main crops were tulips, hyacinths and daffodils. This sequence makes the change concrete: flower bulb cultivation followed potatoes and vegetables. The protected village centre around Kerkplein and the changing crops at Kwekerij Veelzorg thus offer two different perspectives on local history.

Routes, nature and regional perspectives

The Ommetje Oude Beek walking route follows Stationsweg and passes through the centre of Hillegom. The collections of the documentation centre run by Stichting Vrienden van Oud Hillegom offer a documentary perspective on the town: they include photographs, newspaper clippings and other documentation about Hillegom. This places a route through the centre and a collection on local history side by side as distinct themes.

The Reuzenbollenroute offers a different spatial perspective, passing through Sassenheim, Noordwijk and Hillegom. It features life-size tulip bulb artworks placed in the landscape and painted by artists from the Bollenstreek. Unlike the Ommetje, which passes through the centre of Hillegom, this route connects three places. The locations of the artworks may change, so check the current route map before setting out.

Nature is allowed to develop largely undisturbed in Heemtuin Hillegom. Pink soapwort, cowslip and enchanter’s nightshade grow there. This world of plants offers a different focus from architectural history and cultivation, complementing the local and cultural themes with a concrete look at nature.

Planning around the flower parade

There is a grandstand in Hillegom for the Bollenstreek Flower Parade. Locations and reservations vary by edition. If you would like to include the parade in your travel plans, check the details for the relevant edition and grandstand. This event-related theme is distinct from the local and architectural histories, which are not tied to a particular edition of the parade.

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