Drakesteijn Castle

Address: Drakesteijn, Maarssen, Utrecht province, Netherlands

Drakesteijn (commonly spelled Drakensteyn) is a moated country house and small castle near Lage Vuursche in the province of Utrecht, Netherlands. The site dates back to the medieval period and survives as a brick-built, water-surrounded estate.

There is no regular public access to the house because it is held as a private residence, but the exterior, moat and estate woodlands can be seen from nearby lanes and public footpaths. The building is notable as a well-preserved example of a small Dutch moated castle.

The core building dates to the late medieval period with alterations and additions in later centuries; it has passed through private ownership and retains historic architectural features. In the 20th and 21st centuries the site has been known as a private residence of members of the Dutch royal family.

The estate sits close to the village of Lage Vuursche in the forested Utrechtse Heuvelrug and Baarn area of central Netherlands. It lies within a rural, wooded landscape served by local country roads.

• Access: Private property with no general public access; best viewed from nearby public roads and footpaths around Lage Vuursche.

Drakesteijn is accessible by car from Utrecht (about 20-30 minutes northwest). From Maarssen station, it is a short taxi ride or a cycle of roughly 15-25 minutes following local roads along the Vecht river. Parking is limited near small lanes; cycling is common in the region.

• If visiting during the growing season, ask permission before crossing private land; the estate can be part of an inhabited property.
• Combine a visit with a stroll through the nearby Vecht river landscapes for a fuller sense of rural Utrecht.
• Check local municipal maps for precise access points - small local lanes lead to the drive and parking.