Top 9 Castles around Best

On the northwest side of Eindhoven lies the remarkable De Wielewaal Estate. This expansive estate of over 140 hectares was created in the 1930s by Anton Philips, the famous founder of the Philips Group. He commissioned the construction of an impressive country house surrounded by woods, avenues, ponds, and gardens. For many years, the estate was privately owned and therefore virtually inaccessible, contributing to its mysterious and exclusive character. The area consists of a variety of ancient woodlands, open lawns, and water features, which together form a beautiful landscape park. Numerous birds nest in the woods, and in the open spaces, you might spot deer and other wildlife. The stately avenues and ponds give the walk an almost park-like atmosphere. Although the estate is largely enclosed, beautiful views can be enjoyed from the surrounding paths. Its location close to the city, yet so quiet and green, makes De Wielewaal a remarkable piece of nature and cultural history in Eindhoven.

During the war years, Henkenshage Castle served as a distribution office for coupons. During Operation Market Garden, the castle became General Taylor's headquarters for the 101st Airborne Division. On September 20, 1944, the headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division moved from Son to Henkenshage Castle in Sint-Oedenrode. On September 24, General Horrocks, commander of the British XXX Corps, was informed that he could make one last attempt to reach the British troops north of the Rhine. If this attempt failed, Operation Market Garden would fail. Meanwhile, German troops had breached the corridor at Koevering (between Veghel and Sint-Oedenrode). The Allied advance was halted. Citizens of Sint-Oedenrode still remember General Horrocks cursing and swearing in the market square. He didn't reach his own headquarters in Nijmegen until the next morning. The final attempt to reach the British and Polish troops at Oosterbeek was unsuccessful. As discussed in Henkenshage, Operation Market Garden was halted.

Stapelen Castle is over 700 years old and still contains many original features. The exact date of its construction is unknown, but the oldest mention dates from 1293. The castle was the home of the Lord of Boxtel and his family. Remarkably, Prince William of Orange and the French Sun King Louis XIV also spent several nights there. In 1915, the castle was sold to the Assumptionist Fathers. They were primarily active in education, healthcare, and missionary work. Since 2018, the castle has been privately owned again. The southern part of the castle, in particular, retains many original features. For example, the Knights' Hall still has its original fourteenth-century roof and a barrel vault. The octagonal tower on the east side was built in the Middle Ages. The castle's name likely comes from the word "Stapel," which meant "high place." www.beleefboxtel.nl

In 1937, the castle and estate were purchased by the 'Brothers of Charity', who took care of patients with intellectual disabilities. After the brothers said goodbye in 1980, the care institution was continued. A function that the castle and estate still have. Source: Klikprintenwandel.nl The estate also has a well-maintained old cemetery.

The meandering Dommel is followed for quite some time via narrow (strolling) paths. After leaving the Dommel, the walk passes the Eindhoven water purification plant and through the Eckartbos. Forest paths and paths are followed in the forest. The walk also passes Eckart Castle. Eckart was a small manor that has been part of the municipality of Eindhoven since 1920. Originally, Eckart was an island bordered by the Dommel and a former bed of this river, called 'Den Doyen Graeff'. This island has been inhabited for a long time. The oldest finds date from 10,000 – 9,000 BC. Numerous finds and remains of settlements have also been found from the Iron Age and especially from the Roman period. Eckart was first mentioned in 1312 as a fief with a fortified farm named Eykart. The current castle was built in 1695 and is located on the site of the original farm. Source and more information: Klikprintenwandel.nl

Although considerably renovated over the years, Eckartdal has remained a beautiful estate that is also freely accessible and through which the Rondje Eckart walk takes you. A bridge, which is closed with a fence, leads over the Dommel to the Eckartse Bos, which is also freely accessible and can be reached over this bridge for a number of hours a day. Agriculture and horticulture are still practiced on the estate and there are also animals. The residents carry out work here. The country house is still there, but many ornaments from the Smits van Oyen era have been removed by the brothers. The 18th-century castle farm can also still be found on the estate, although it has been largely renovated. Furthermore, the driver's house is located outside the site, while the ice cellar, which dates from around 1828, is also very special. The castle with canals, gardens and parks, the ice cellar and the farm are a national monument. Wikipedia

Eckart was a small manor that was added to the municipality of Nederwetten in 1810, joined Woensel in 1821, and since 1920 has been part of the municipality of Eindhoven, in the Dutch province of North Brabant. Eckart is now a neighborhood in the Dommelbeemd district. Originally, Eckart was an island bordered by the Dommel and a former bed of this river, called the Dode Gracht, formerly called Den Doyen Graeff. The following toponyms can be found on this island: Hetsrode Luttelaer Eyckart This island has been inhabited for a long time. The oldest finds date from the Federmesser culture. Furthermore, some flint objects from the Mesolithic and Neolithic were found. Some shards of urns from the urnfield culture were also found. Numerous finds are known from the Iron Age and especially from the Roman period, and remains of settlements were also found. Source and more information: Wikipedia

Beautiful moated castle with park.