Located in the picturesque village of Arcen directly on the German-Dutch border near Venlo, Arcen Castle Gardens constitute one of the most varied flower and plant parks in Europe: 32 hectares full of scents and colours, unique gardens, historical parks and a 17th century castle.
Various highlights invite visitors to experience the gardens in numerous diverse ways. Among them are the large rosarium with its rose gardens, the shady Lommerreich; the mountain garden with its unique stone formations and waterfalls, the Mediterranean Casa Verde with its typical olive trees and the oldest fig tree in the Netherlands, the Asian gardens with a Thai fishing hut and miniature rice field terraces (sawah), and the rhododendron garden in the shadow of the monumental castle.
Visitors can admire different gardens, pond landscapes and waterfalls in Arcen Castle Gardens. The garden park was designed at the end of the 1980s by Dutch garden architect Niek Roozen and opened by Prince Bernhard on 21 May 1988. Numerous beautiful views of the gardens can be enjoyed from the park benches.
The Baroque rosarium with over 8000 rose bushes and 250 species of rose is connected to the castle island by a stone bridge. The original garden had a classical division of sixteen equal rectangles. Ten of these areas, each of which takes up a different theme, were reinstated as various rose gardens during the park’s restoration. Perennials and shrubs thrive here alongside the roses. The remaining areas were replaced by a Baroque pond with a waterfall. The rosarium is surrounded by a broad, shady pergola (berceau).
The water and sculpture garden features contemporary art and is characterised by its water landscape and numerous objets d’art. Seven ponds at different levels can be found between gently sloping grassy hills. The ponds function as natural mirrors which reflect monumental trees, objets d’art and the sky. Individual groups of trees and shrubs define the structure of the gardens. A special collection of trees and shrubs was planted here for enthusiasts.
Lommerreich can be translated as “shade realm”. A broad range of shade-loving plants as well as larger groups of Astilbe, daylilies, lungwort and various flowering bulbs grow here in the shade of special species of trees. Visitors are enchanted by the special atmosphere of this garden area with its stream and waterfalls.
The mountain garden, where visitors feel as though they might be in the Eifel region or the Ardennes, presents a changing display of shrubs and trees throughout the year. An adventurous crazy golf course lies between steep slopes, waterfalls and caves. The path runs past murmuring streams and visitors also experience spectacular changes in height.
The tropical house, Casa Verde, has an impressive collection of Mediterranean plants. The name Casa Verde means ‘Green House’. This greenhouse has a special structure and visitors can find banana plants, bird-of-paradise flowers, palm trees and extremely rare tree ferns here.
Trees and shrubs from the Mediterranean region also grow here, among them the mastic shrub, milkwort, myrtle, jujube and rosemary as well as olive trees, cork oaks, holm oaks and strawberry trees. The most striking tree is a centuries-old fig tree. From the dryer parts of the earth come tall yuccas, cordylines, cacti and succulents. The large pond with koi carp has been equipped with the latest technology for ponds and filter systems.
The patio gardens have a special atmosphere and were originally established as model gardens to give visitors ideas for their own gardens. The small Chinese garden served as a model for these atmospheric gardens. A new concept was developed for this area in the following years. One of these gardens is the Japanese garden, which lends itself to delightful dreaming beneath the torii with its view of the large pond.
The Colourful Garden, on the other hand, provides surprises with its changing display of colours during the different seasons.
The valley consists of different garden areas, each of which boasts an individual character of its own: the border garden with its perennials, the bamboo wood, the rock garden with its conifers, the Asian garden with its ponds, the miniature rice-field terraces (sawah), the typical Thai fishing hut and the maple garden with its beautiful maple trees.
The romantic rhododendron garden is located behind the castle. These evergreen shrubs thrive and prosper in the semi-shade of the centuries-old trees, flowering profusely from mid-May onwards. The flowering period is a short-lived explosion of colour. During the rest of the year this garden radiates tranquillity, then becoming a special place for reflection.
Kasteeltuinen Arcen
Lingsforterweg 26
5944 BE Arcen
Limburg / Netherlands
www.schlossgaerten.de
info@kasteeltuinen.nl
Owner: Stichting Het Limburgs Landschap
Admission: See website for details.
Opening hours 2025: The Arcen Castle Gardens are open from 29 March to 2 November 2025. Please note that opening hours may vary due to events or seasonal adjustments. The gardens are normally open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
The Elfia event will take place on 20 and 21 September 2025 – regular visits will not be possible on these days. The gardens will also be closed on 19 and 22 September for set-up and dismantling work.
Guided tours: Daily guided tours in the park and in the castle
Cultural program:
In the park: special events as well as flower and art exhibitions
In the castle: www.schlossgaerten.de
Tourist information:
Visitor Center: yes
Museum: yes
Shop: yes
Restaurant / Cafe: yes, various dining options with terraces
WC: yes, also handicapped accessible
Parking: large pay parking, bicycle parking
General map / garden plan:
In the entrance area multilingual information brochures are available
Barrier-free access:
The main routes are accessible to visitors with mobility disabilities. A circular route is clearly signposted for wheelchair users and families with prams. Wheelchairs are available in the entrance area in limited numbers, prior reservation is required.
Program for children: adventure mini golf, Streichelwiese etc.
Dogs: Dogs should be kept on a short leash
Bicycles: Biking is not allowed in the park
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