Hiking Highlight
Recommended by 218 out of 227 hikers
Location: Bilzen, Tongeren, South Limburg, Flanders, Belgium
The French garden, together with the orangery building, was laid out around 1700 under Grand Commander Hendrik van Wassenaer Warmond.
(Wikipedia)
April 29, 2024
The English garden of Alden Biesen is one of the few public English gardens in Belgium. It was built in 1786-1787 by order of the last Grand Commander Frans von Reischach. Architect Ghislaine-Joseph Henry designed the garden in the typical 'English style' of the time with winding lines.
The English garden has now been thoroughly renovated. Drastic felling works were carried out to rejuvenate the park, to exempt the existing monumental trees from competition and to allow more light in. The still recognizable authentic elements have been preserved, protected and/or restored, such as the Minerva Temple, the cave, the Belvedere (tea pavilion) with ice cellar and the ruins of the hermitage or hermitage. The original river has been reconstructed as a 'dry' bed. New interpretations were given a place: the eye-catcher here is the storytelling spot with three stylized storytelling huts, a permanent picnic area and a new bridge over the 'river'.
Young trees and shrubs have been planted, as well as the orchard with old fruits. A new eye-catcher appears within the original shape of the vegetable garden, namely a prairie garden. This produces a floral spectacle from June to October. In the English garden, the historic path network has been preserved and improved as much as possible.
The integral accessibility of the garden is important. There was already a wheelchair accessible path parallel to the moat, which is part of a larger walking circuit around the castle.
The English Garden is open from 9am to 9pm.
August 17, 2020
Relax and enjoy the beauty that this beautifully landscaped garden has to offer
March 17, 2024
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