History
Ter Hooge is one of the oldest country estates on Walcheren: the origins of the castle date back to the 13th century. Ter Hooge was initially a small castle with several buildings surrounded by a moat.
Over the centuries, various families have inhabited Ter Hooge, including the influential Zeeland family Van Borssele.
Image from the ‘Chronyk’ of Smallegange, 1696 (ZB, Image Bank Zeeland).
Early history
In 1754, the house was given its current form. The medieval castle had just been bought by Jan van Borssele, who had been appointed First Noble of Zeeland by stadholder Willem IV and thus held an important position in the States. Van Borssele had the medieval castle largely demolished to make way for a more comfortable, representative house.
The former knight’s hall and the tower were spared. The rest of the old stones were used to build an identical tower to give the house its current symmetrical shape. In addition, the castle had a large garden in French style with straight avenues, starry forests, neatly trimmed hedges and a ‘grand canal’ over which the residents had a view of the dunes.
Early history
In 1754, the house was given its current form. The medieval castle had just been bought by Jan van Borssele, who had been appointed First Noble of Zeeland by stadholder Willem IV and thus held an important position in the States. Van Borssele had the medieval castle largely demolished to make way for a more comfortable, representative house.
The former knight’s hall and the tower were spared. The rest of the old stones were used to build an identical tower to give the house its current symmetrical shape. In addition, the castle had a large garden in French style with straight avenues, starry forests, neatly trimmed hedges and a ‘grand canal’ over which the residents had a view of the dunes.
19th century
In the nineteenth century, ideas about the landscape changed. The French garden was completely overhauled and transformed into a romantic park forest. The moat and the grand canal became meandering ponds. Winding paths were intended to offer the walker a varied experience of the park, the house and the surrounding landscape. Exotic trees and various domes and small pavilions added an extra dimension.
19th century
In the nineteenth century, ideas about the landscape changed. The French garden was completely overhauled and transformed into a romantic park forest. The moat and the grand canal became meandering ponds. Winding paths were intended to offer the walker a varied experience of the park, the house and the surrounding landscape. Exotic trees and various domes and small pavilions added an extra dimension.
A play yacht is moored in the pond of Ter Hooge castle. Drawing by Jan Arends, 1785 (Zeeuws Archief, KZGW, Zelandia Illustrata).
Rudolf Willem Count of Lynden with his family in 1935.
Van Lynden
Ter Hooge came into the hands of the Van Lynden family in 1871, when it was purchased by Willem Arnold baron van Lynden and his wife Wilhelmina Johanna van Lynden – de Bruyn. Mr. Rudolf Willem Count van Lynden inherited Ter Hooge in 1926 from his uncle and aunt, who had remained childless. He was chairman of the Board of Directors of Polder Walcheren; and secretary of PZEM. He was also co-founder of the foundation Het Zeeuwse Landschap . Together with landscape architect Leonard Springer, he reorganized the neglected park forest and had, among other things, a rock garden and several garden domes constructed. He lived with his family of five children on Ter Hooge when it was requisitioned by the Germans in 1942.
To take a deep dive into the history of the life of Marietje Countess van Lynden – Calkoen and her maid Mina Marinusse, listen here to the podcast made by Maartje Duin, great-granddaughter of Marietje.
Van Lynden
Ter Hooge came into the hands of the Van Lynden family in 1871, when it was purchased by Willem Arnold baron van Lynden and his wife Wilhelmina Johanna van Lynden – de Bruyn. Mr. Rudolf Willem Count van Lynden inherited Ter Hooge in 1926 from his uncle and aunt, who had remained childless. He was chairman of the Board of Directors of Polder Walcheren; and secretary of PZEM. He was also co-founder of the foundation Het Zeeuwse Landschap. Together with landscape architect Leonard Springer, he reorganized the neglected park forest and had, among other things, a rock garden and several garden domes constructed. He lived with his family of five children on Ter Hooge when it was requisitioned by the Germans in 1942.
World War II
The Second World War had a heavy impact on Ter Hooge. he house was used by the Germans as their Zeeland headquarters and later the park forest was almost completely destroyed when the Allies inundated Walcheren. Only one tree survived the salt water underground: the large chestnut at the back of the house. After the war, Van Lynden was determined to restore the Ter Hooge park forest. Together with the Heidemij, a plan was made for the planting of a simplified version of the old park.
World War II
The Second World War had a heavy impact on Ter Hooge. he house was used by the Germans as their Zeeland headquarters and later the park forest was almost completely destroyed when the Allies inundated Walcheren. Only one tree survived the salt water underground: the large chestnut at the back of the house. After the war, Van Lynden was determined to restore the Ter Hooge park forest. Together with the Heidemij, a plan was made for the planting of a simplified version of the old park.
After the war
Rudolf Willem van Lynden and his family did not return to Ter Hooge. In 1955 he transferred the estate to the Lynden Ter Hooge family foundation. He did this for two reasons: firstly, to preserve Ter Hooge as a whole and secondly, to maintain the bond with the descendants of the founder. The park was largely opened to hikers by the family in 1978. After a period as a retirement home and hotel in the 1980s, the house was divided into four apartments. The castle (partly), the orangery and the gardener’s houses are still inhabited by the family.
After the war
Rudolf Willem van Lynden and his family did not return to Ter Hooge. In 1955 he transferred the estate to the Lynden Ter Hooge family foundation. He did this for two reasons: firstly, to preserve Ter Hooge as a whole and secondly, to maintain the bond with the descendants of the founder. The park was largely opened to hikers by the family in 1978. After a period as a retirement home and hotel in the 1980s, the house was divided into four apartments. The castle (partly), the orangery and the gardener’s houses are still inhabited by the family.
Ter Hooge 1926
Ter Hooge estate after the inundation
The Garden of Zeeland
Around the year 1995, the idea arose to restore the atmosphere of the pre-war scenic landscape of Walcheren and thus strengthen the relationship between Ter Hooge and the surrounding landscape. This initiative was created through a tripartite collaboration between the Lynden Ter Hooge Foundation, the Het Zeeuwse Landschap Foundation and the Dreessen family of the Pitteperk care farm. In 2003, the Garden of Zeeland – named after the old nickname of Walcheren – was officially opened. Typical elements are the Zeeland mixed hedges, drinking pools, solitaries in the meadows and avenue trees.
The foundation took over forest management again in 2013; with the support of forest manager De Bosgroep and Forest Boss, Vahan Karaganjan. We regularly work with groups of volunteers from the Zeeland Landscape Management Foundation. The national government and the province contribute with management subsidies.
In 2018, a significant thinning of the tree stock took place. More than 3,000 trees and shrubs were planted in 2022/23 to provide more variety. More than 100 pikes were released into the ponds in 2024 to keep the carp population in check. Beautiful natural banks were constructed in two places.
The Garden of Zeeland
Around the year 1995, the idea arose to restore the atmosphere of the pre-war scenic landscape of Walcheren and thus strengthen the relationship between Ter Hooge and the surrounding landscape. This initiative was created through a tripartite collaboration between the Lynden Ter Hooge Foundation, the Het Zeeuwse Landschap Foundation and the Dreessen family of the Pitteperk care farm. In 2003, the Garden of Zeeland – named after the old nickname of Walcheren – was officially opened. Typical elements are the Zeeland mixed hedges, drinking pools, solitaries in the meadows and avenue trees.
The foundation took over forest management again in 2013; with the support of forest manager De Bosgroep and Forest Boss, Vahan Karaganjan. We regularly work with groups of volunteers from the Zeeland Landscape Management Foundation. The national government and the province contribute with management subsidies.
In 2018, a significant thinning of the tree stock took place. More than 3,000 trees and shrubs were planted in 2022/23 to provide more variety. More than 100 pikes were released into the ponds in 2024 to keep the carp population in check. Beautiful natural banks were constructed in two places.
Photo: Adri Padmos
Photo: Janet Weststrate
