Bantam, Nature estate in Hilversum, Netherlands.
Bantam is a 28-hectare estate with winding streams, nature islands, and several forest ranger houses scattered across its grounds. The property features an extensive network of roads and walking paths open to the public.
In 1878, Maurits Jacob van Lennep and Caroline van Loon commissioned a mansion on the property. The building remained in use until its demolition in 1978.
The layout reflects traditional Dutch garden design principles, with rows of beech and oak trees arranged in formal patterns. Visitors can sense this ordered approach to nature as they walk through the property.
The estate sits along the Franse Kampweg provincial road near a Shell station and is easily accessible. Public access to the grounds allows visitors to explore at their own pace without restrictions.
A Turkish tent once stood on the highest hill, offering views toward the Zuiderzee. This structure was later replaced by a water reservoir and iron windmill.
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