Kasteel Lakebossen

Kasteel Lakebossen is a 19th-century castle built in Gothic Revival style with red-painted iron gates flanked by brick pillars. The building features an octagonal entrance hall and ornate architectural details, surrounded by landscaped grounds with rhododendron plantings, water features, and a walnut orchard.

Construction began in 1869 under architect Jean-Baptiste Bethune for knight Eugène van Outryve d'Ydewalle and his wife. The Gothic Revival design reflected the tastes of wealthy Belgians during that era.

The castle's interior shows how wealthy families lived in the 1800s, with two salons decorated in the neogothic style featuring painted ceilings and ornate fireplaces. These rooms reveal the tastes and values of the Belgian upper classes during that period.

Access is through the red gates into the well-maintained exterior grounds, with marked paths that invite exploration of the gardens. The best time to visit is from May to June when the rhododendrons are in full bloom.

The former stables were converted into a textile factory that produced down comforters under the Lakebos brand name. This transformation reveals how outbuildings on estates often gained new industrial purposes.

Location: Oostkamp

Location: Wingene

Inception: 1869

Architects: Jean-Baptiste Bethune

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

GPS coordinates: 51.06721,3.21786

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:22