Slot Loevestein


Slot Loevestein is a small castle located in what feels like the middle of nowhere.

Google Maps shows the relative location from Utrecht and Rotterdam
I think it must have taken us 45 minutes to drive there, and at the very end we were driving down a deserted road with very little traffic.  We felt like we were going to a farm.


The entrance fee for the castle itself is €11, but you can walk around most of the grounds for free.  The buildings in the photo above contain general information and artifacts found in the area surrounding the castle.  Another reason why to invest in the €50 Dutch Museumkaart?  It's valid at Slot Loevestein and gives you free entrance!


The place is actually rather kid-friendly, and would be entertaining to go back with kids.  When you pay your admission fee, you receive a lanyard with a key-shaped card on it (akin to a hotel room key).  There are 3 options for what role you can take - knight, prisoner, and soldier.  Throughout the exhibits (in and outside of the castle), there are kid friendly activities that change depending on each of these roles.  


The castle itself is very confusing to walk around - at some point we got off the guided trail and may have gone backwards.  Oops.  However, you can walk throughout most of the castle, all the way to the top, and learn about the function of each of these rooms.  

R and I in front of the castle
Information is available in both English and Dutch, which makes it accessible to all.  However, the kids' audio is (as far as I know) only in Dutch, so you may need translation or just to ignore it.


I personally enjoyed just wandering around, climbing the stairs and exploring all the nooks and crannies.  What would my life have been like in a castle like this?  (That's also a question I also considered during my childhood through books and my imagination!)


The castle remained in use for over 600 years, and was actually still in use for part of the early 1900s - a fact we found surprising.

Sample meal in the kitchen

My brother Adam and I in front of the castle
For more information, visit Slot Loevestein's website.

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 This blog was part of the Instagram Travel Thursday linkup.

Comments

  1. JodyFebruary 27, 2014 at 4:07 PM

    I love that you can be interactive on the tour. It would be a really great visit for kids!

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  2. Kea | Deep Red BluesFebruary 27, 2014 at 5:28 PM

    Wow, that castle reminds me of some of the old castles we have here in Finland. I should visit them more often since they're actually so close!

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  3. reeta @houseofanaisFebruary 27, 2014 at 7:51 PM

    What a lovely picturesque castle and I love the location!

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  4. Satu VW / Destination UnknownFebruary 28, 2014 at 3:06 AM

    I've been to Holland couple of times on a work trip, next time I should try to schedule in some sights too, this looks amazing! And it was lovely to find your blog through Instagram Travel Thursday, thanks for joining in! :)

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  5. Alison ChinoFebruary 28, 2014 at 2:34 PM

    I agree with Jody. So fun that they have roles for kids. My kids LOVE castles. Super fun.

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  6. cherrysberriesMarch 1, 2014 at 2:04 PM

    Exploring castles is one of my favorite travelling activities. Will keep this one in mind! :)

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  7. UnknownMarch 1, 2014 at 2:11 PM

    Love castles! They are always a fun visit :-)

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  8. Leigh Powell HinesMarch 2, 2014 at 2:32 PM

    I love that castles are so common in Europe. Thanks so much for linking up with us.

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  9. AnonymousMarch 3, 2014 at 4:20 AM

    What fun! I love castles!

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  10. kim at northerncalstyle.March 4, 2014 at 7:06 AM

    Love this! I just visited Holland last summer and we fell in love with the country and the people. I'd love to go back and see more like this castle! I'm going to pin this on my Northern European Board on Pinterest.
    Nice blog!
    Kim

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  11. AnonymousMarch 4, 2014 at 3:46 PM

    That's an absolutely beautiful castle. I've not been to the Netherlands, however it's on my places to visit if I travel to Europe again.

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