Royal Paleis Het Loo is a palace, built over three hundred years ago close to the town of Apeldoorn - it's name means "The Palace in the Woods". 

The former royal residence has been open to the public since in 1984 after undergoing substantial restoration work.

The reconstructed gardens evoke their seventeenth century origins with fountains and elegant box-lined parterres, while the palace’s setting in one of Holland’s most beautiful nature areas (The Hoge Veluwe National Park) makes a visit a real delight at any time of year.

The characteristic feature of the Dutch formal 17th century garden is the strict symmetry of the lay out. 

A number of parterres are grouped around the central axis and these are planted with closely trimmed box hedges in decorative scroll patterns, hence the name broderie parterres.

The edging bands or ‘rabatten’ are filled with a choice selection of annuals and perennials interspersed with topiaried juniper berry bushes, typical of the local Veluwe area. 

The many rare plant specimens were brought from all over the world by the West India and East India companies for the regents, William and Mary.

Fountains: Though the gardens at Het Loo were of modest proportions compared to those of Versailles, the waterworks enjoyed great renown for permanently spouting fresh groundwater diverted from the surrounding higher lying hills. 

Moreover, the King’s Fountain at the rear of the Upper garden which rose to 13 metres was the highest spouting fountain in Europe. 

The fountains run from April to October.

Allow 3 hours for a satisfying visit - covering Palace and Gardens.