Buitenplaats Berbice

Buitenplaats Berbice is an estate complex in Voorschoten featuring a main house with two domed extensions, a porter's lodge built in chalet style, and an orangery set within maintained gardens. A stone bridge from the 17th or 18th century with an iron gate and historical balustrades marks the entrance to the property.

Construction of this estate began around 1674 on land formerly called Almansgeest, which had been destroyed during the Siege of Leiden in 1573 to 1574. The creation of this luxury country retreat shows how the region recovered after wartime destruction.

The complex displays traditional Dutch country estate architecture with formal garden layouts from the 17th and early 18th centuries still visible today. The design reflects how wealthy families shaped their retreats outside the city.

The grounds are best explored on foot so you can fully appreciate the bridge and surrounding gardens. Pay attention to the different buildings that together form the complete property, and allow time to walk through the garden areas.

The property contains a rare variant of a garden wall called a retranchementen-muur, which served specific horticultural purposes in historical garden design. This specialized construction shows how carefully earlier estates were planned and built.