Hoekelum, Mansion and national heritage site in Bennekom, Netherlands
Hoekelum is a mansion and national heritage site in Bennekom comprising an estate of about 112 hectares with the main house, formal park areas, farm buildings, and woodland paths. The grounds feature several ponds and waterways that wind through the landscape.
The property traces its origins to 1396 when Randolph van Hoekelum, gamekeeper to the Duke of Guelders, received a land grant that contained an existing older building. This early connection to ducal authority established the site as an important holding for centuries to come.
The mansion serves the local community as a wedding venue managed by Ede municipality and as a Lutheran retreat center, keeping its heritage alive through regular use. This active role shows how historic estates remain meaningful places for people today rather than frozen monuments.
The estate can be reached by car using parking at Edeseweg 124 in Bennekom or the Horalaan lot in Ede, with bus line 86 serving nearby stops for public transport access. Visitors should check ahead since access may vary depending on events or functions being held on the grounds.
The property contains a historic ice cellar that now serves as a winter refuge for a bat colony inhabiting the underground chamber. This unexpected use reveals how old structures can support protected species in their natural cycles.
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