The village of Oranjewoud to the east of the town of Heerenveen is surrounded by Friesland’s very own royal forests. In this area there are several country estates with spectacular country houses, long tree-lined avenues and parks with lovely water features. The Overtuin gardens opposite the Huize Oranjewoud country house are a beautifully landscaped area. The Baroque-style Museum Park is also worth visiting. This is the home of the Belvédère Museum: the Frisian museum for modern art, which is built across the water of the Prinsenwijk canal. You can look through the building and see the country house behind it. The rich ecology of the area includes a variety of bank habitats. The local countryside is managed by Staatsbosbeheer, the national forestry organisation that oversees the Netherlands’ green heritage. There is a beautiful walk from Belvédère Museum where you can park your car.
