A square residential tower with walls more than 2.5 metres thick and routes along the Vecht lead to two sides of Oud Zuilen: the history of Slot Zuylen and the open landscape by the river. When planning your trip, concrete differences matter—from paths through the castle garden and park to a 36-kilometre cycling route. The historic buildings in the village add further details to this picture.

Routes along the Vecht: walking and cycling

Oud Zuilen lies on the Vecht and is surrounded by open pastureland. The village has numerous walking and cycling routes that follow the river and pass through the surrounding landscape. On its final stretch through Oud-Zuilen, the “Wandelen langs de Vecht bij Slot Zuylen” route follows the river. The route itself is therefore also a useful guide when choosing a route: along this stretch, the Vecht accompanies the path.

The 3-kilometre Park Slot Zuylen walking route passes through the castle garden and park at Slot Zuylen. The 36-kilometre Buitenplaatsen en Plassenroute starts at TOP Slot Zuylen in Oud-Zuilen. As a cycling route, its length alone makes it quite different from a walk through the garden and park surroundings. The distances give you a concrete comparison for planning, without suggesting that the two routes offer the same kind of outing. Another route, “Along castles and fortified towns in Utrecht West,” can start at TOP Oud-Zuilen, between junctions 45 and 53.

Slot Zuylen is on the Dutch bicycle junction network; free bicycle parking is available at the entrance. Check the latest information about parking and routes before setting out. This is especially useful if you would like to combine your route planning with a visit to the castle.

Slot Zuylen: tower, collection and garden

Slot Zuylen dates from around 1250, when Steven van Zuylen laid the first stone of a square residential tower. Its walls are more than 2.5 metres thick. The builder, approximate date of construction and specific architectural form provide a clear reference point for the castle’s early history. The Slot Zuylen collection includes objects dating from the 16th through the 20th century, spanning several centuries.

The garden’s history also has a specific date: a drawing from 1624 shows the oldest known garden design. It depicts tree-lined avenues, an orchard and a kitchen garden. The south-facing serpentine or espalier wall can create a microclimate in its curves that retains warmth for longer. Exotic fruits such as figs can grow there.

Church and cemetery in Oud-Zuilen

The Nederlands Hervormde Kerk in Oud-Zuilen dates from 1847. Its single-manual organ was built in 1894 by G. van Druten. The church is described as a chapel with a small bell tower and heraldic cartouches; at Dorpsstraat 10, it is listed as a Rijksmonument. Its construction date, organ and architectural description represent different aspects of local building history.

The walled family cemetery and its entrance structure were also designated a Rijksmonument in 1990. Oud-Zuilen Cemetery is considered the oldest still-active cemetery outside a built-up area. Together with the church, it adds further concrete historic sites in Oud-Zuilen to the story of the castle and its garden.

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