Hof Espelo, Estate with visitor center near Enschede, Netherlands
Hof Espelo is an estate near Enschede featuring long rows of beech trees, small streams, and multiple farmhouses from different periods. The main house showcases Amsterdam School design, while traditional farm buildings and a converted coach house complete the landscape.
The estate first appeared in a papal document in 1215 when it belonged to the chapter of Saint Peter in Utrecht. Over centuries it developed into an important agricultural settlement in the Overijssel region.
The farmhouses here reflect traditional building styles of the region and now function as learning centers about rural life. Visitors can see how these structures were maintained over generations and what role they played in local communities.
The grounds feature marked walking paths through the landscape, a children's forest, and several ponds to explore. The best time for a visit is during warmer months when the paths are dry and the landscape is most active.
During World War II, German forces constructed aircraft runways on the grounds and covered them with camouflage netting to hide them from aerial reconnaissance. Sections of these runways are still visible today and serve as reminders of this lesser-known chapter.
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