Out of town Utrechtse Heuvelrug There’s more than enough to do in Utrecht, but it’s also worth venturing outside the city limits. UITagenda Utrecht is here to point the way. This time we’re heading to the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, a unique area of natural beauty formed by a ridge of hills on and around a lateral moraine dating back to the Ice Age. Information The Utrechtse Heuvelrug is an area and municipality in the southeast of the Utrecht province with about 50,000 residents. It consists of several towns, like Driebergen-Rijssenburg, Doorn, Maarn, and Amerongen, but it is mostly known for its unique nature. Utrechtse Heuvelrug is rich in forests, hills, lakes, and spectacular monuments. There is a lot to see and do in this interesting region, so go out there and discover! History Pyramid of Austerlitz One of the most intriguing sights on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug is the Pyramid of Austerlitz. This edifice was built in 1804 as an ode to Napoleon Bonaparte. It’s a bit of a climb because the pyramid is at the highest point of the ridgeline, but the stunning view from the top makes it all worthwhile. > Tuesday to Sunday, Pyramid of Austerlitz (Zeisterweg 98, Woudenberg) pyramidevanausterlitz.nl By car – 30 min. By train – Station Driebergen-Zeist & walk for 30 min. Swimming Henschotermeer When it’s warm, take a dip in the water of the Henschotermeer lake. Lying on the sandy beach at the water’s edge, you could imagine being on a mini-break. There’s an island in the middle of the lake, connected to land by two footbridges, and a playground for the children with a wooden pirate ship. You won’t find many bars or restaurants here, so you best bet is to take a well-filled picnic basket. > daily from dawn till dusk, Henschotermeer (De Heygraeff 2, Woudenberg) henschotermeer.nl By car – 30 min. By bike- 1 hr. Imperial residence Huis Doorn For a bit of history, you can visit Huis Doorn. This country house rose to fame when the German ex-emperor Wilhelm II fled to the Netherlands after World War I and bought it in 1919. He lived there until he died in 1941. Wilhelm II’s tomb is in the mausoleum. Keep in mind that you can only visit Huis Doorn Museum as part of a guided tour. English tours are available for groups of six or more and must be booked in advance. Afterwards, enjoy a drink and a bite to eat in the Orangery, with a lovely view of the house and park. > Tuesday to Sunday, Huis Doorn (Langbroekerweg 10, Doorn) huisdoorn.nl By car – 30 min. By train – Station Driebergen-Zeist + bus 56 Spectacular view De Kaap watchtower Close to Doorn, you’ll find the Kaapse Bossen. Walking along the windy footpaths through this expanse of woodland, you’ll encounter various species of birds, mammals, toadstools and plants. For a truly spectacular view across almost the entire Utrechtse Heuvelrug, climb the twenty-five-metre-high De Kaap watchtower. > daily, De Kaap Watchtower (Sint Helenaheuvellaan 2, Doorn) By car – 30 min. By train – Station Driebergen-Zeist + bus 56 Museum National Military Museum To find out all there is to know about the Dutch military, visit the National Military Museum on the former Soesterberg Airbase. The museum has tanks, warplanes and cannon, and there’s even an interactive zone where children can get hands on: from driving a tank to sitting in an F16 simulator. But don’t forget to take a stroll around the park at Soesterberg Airbase and admire the collection of abandoned runways, bunkers, underground atomic shelter, munition depots and hangars that used to house fighter jets. > every Tuesday to Saturday, National Military Museum (Verlengde Paltzerweg 1, Soest) nmm.nl/en By car – 30 min. By train – Amersfoort Centraal + bus 356 / OR station Driebergen-Zeist + bus 381 / OR station Soest-Zuid + bus 571 Take a break Chalet Helenaheuvel Tea house and restaurant Sint Helenalaan 2, Doorn Café Buitenlust Friendly café with terrace Burgemeester Jonkheer H. van Den Boschstraat 13, Amerongen Beauforthuis Organic food in a theatre café Woudenbergseweg 70, Austerlitz