Doorn House

About Doorn House
Huis Doorn owes its fame mainly to the German former emperor Wilhelm II. Fleeing to the neutral Netherlands after the German defeat in World War I, Wilhelm inhabited this estate on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug from 1920 until his death in 1941 amid memories of the Hohenzollerns, his once powerful ancestry of electors, kings and emperors.

The furnishings of Huis Doorn are taken from palaces in Berlin and Potsdam. Magnificent furniture, paintings and silver allow the regal asylum seeker to continue living in accordance with his rank. They form a backdrop of European allure. Against this, a pocket-sized court protocol plays out daily.
This imperial residence in exile is now a museum. The original furnishings are still completely intact and offer visitors an authentic picture of international royal living culture. During guided tours, expert guides bring history and European court culture to life.

Huis Doorn was originally a moated castle dating from the fourteenth century. At the end of the eighteenth century, it was converted into an elegant country estate. The 35-hectare park is laid out in the English landscape style.

Walking through the park
The footpaths and gardens of Huis Doorn estate are freely accessible all year round from 7am to 7pm. Stroll through the beautiful rose garden, past the woodcutter's hut and visit Wilhelm's unique collection of conifers.

Family treasure hunts
On the country estate of Huis Doorn in summer, children can unravel the secret of Emperor Wilhelm during the exciting and educational family scavenger hunt, 'The Secret of the Emperor'.

The young sleuths will receive a pointed cardboard helmet and an assignment sheet at the box office (in Huis Doorn's museum shop in the Gatehouse) for 3.50 euros. They have to answer seven questions that together reveal the emperor's secret. The questions playfully tell about Kaiser Wilhelm II's daily life in Doorn and the history of the estate.

The children wander through the beautiful park past dog graves, the woodcutter's hut and visit Wilhelm's unique collection of conifers. At the end of the scavenger hunt, participants receive an imperial reward in the museum shop.

Starting point: the gatehouse of Huis Doorn

More information can be found here.

Find out more about the life of Kaiser Wilhelm II
Kaiser Wilhelm II experienced World War I and he had to flee to the Netherlands. On the UtrechtAltijd website , read the story of how Kaiser Wilhelm II tried to continue his German lifestyle in Doorn after the First World War.

VVV information point
Huis Doorn is also a VVV information point. You can go here for up-to-date leaflets of the region and for cycling and walking routes. Enquire at Huis Doorn or the local VVV for the availability of VVV gift cards.

Access

By bicycle
The area around Huis Doorn is great for cycling. Combine your visit to Huis Doorn with a bike ride through the beautiful surroundings. Tip: rent a public transport bike at Driebergen-Zeist station. The cycle route 'In the tracks of Emperor Wilhelm II' takes you past castles where he stayed and other heritage sites in the region.

By public transport
From Driebergen-Zeist station, take bus line U-OV bus 56 towards Wijk bij Duurstede and get off at bus stop Huis Doorn. Or take bus 50 from Utrecht towards Wageningen and get off at bus stop Doorn centrum. From here it is a 250-metre walk. Or rent a public transport bike at Driebergen-Zeist station, from there it is 8 km by bike.

By car
Museum visitors can park free of charge in the car park on Langbroekerweg next to the gatehouse.