Huis Zypendaal

The country estate of Arnhem

Huis Zypendaal in Arnhem is one of the 7 open castles of Geldersch Landschap & Kasteelen. The people of Arnhem like to call Huis Zypendaal a ‘little castle’. But it is actually a beautiful country estate with outbuildings and a garden in a green stream valley. It was built in the years 1762-1764 for the important Arnhem regent family Brantsen. The house stands on the site of older buildings from the 17th century. Only parts of the garden layout have been preserved.

The main floor is furnished as a museum with objects from the original furnishings, including a collection of family portraits of the Brantsen family. The interior decoration of the house is partly from the 18th century. An example is the special marble floor in the hallway, in which a chain motif is inlaid. The legendary ‘Mannetje van de Zyp’ is also on display, a statue of a boy with a drinking jug.

Opposite the house Zypendaal there is a beautiful orangery and a coach house, where the plants used to hibernate and the horses stood. Both buildings are now used as offices. Between the orangery and the coach house there is an ornamental garden.

The gardens and the park are a beautiful combination of the formal ‘French’ style and the romantic ‘English’ landscape style. In the park around Huis Zypendaal there are impressive trees. But you will also find lawns decorated with rhododendrons, springs, streams and ponds. The ponds are the habitat of the kingfisher and the large yellow wagtail, among others. You can walk there, walk the dog, picnic or enjoy yourself on a bench.

There are catering establishments in Sonsbeek Park, which is within walking distance, and Arnhem city centre is nearby.