Lokhorsterduin

Does Hillegom have a primeval forest? Yes, the Lokhorsterduin.

Many Hillegommers don't know this forest. Only when they say; "that forest near the former hospital Vogelenzang" 8 out of 10 Hillegommers will shout "Oh yes".

Psychiatric Hospital Vogelenzang, also abbreviated to Vogelenzang, is the former psychiatric hospital in Bennebroek on the outskirts of Hillegom, while the woods are largely Hillegom. 
Nowadays, the mental health institution GGZ InGeest is housed there. By the way, the terrain (not the woods) will be developed into Park Vogelenzang.

Since the Middle Ages dune sand was extracted in Hillegom. It was used for raising levels during building activities and as bedding for cattle in the nearby peat moors. But also as "building sand" for the Amsterdam housing industry.
The Lokhorsterduin is a shifting dune where the sand deposits with bulb fields and the high dune forest are still visible side by side. A unique place of silence where you can be yourself. The primeval forest of Hillegom. The Lokhorster dune possibly contains archaeological remains from the Bronze Age, but perhaps already from the Late New Stone Age, because the high ground in an otherwise wet landscape was attractive habitation land.

The Lokhorsterduin is a beautiful small walking area. Three entrances make it possible to enter this forest. The first entrance is via the path just past the bulb complex of Nord Lommerse Flower bulb group opposite the Weeligenberg.  Another entrance is via the Haarlemmerstraatweg opposite the bulb fields, or the path full of bushes where  people walk their dogs.

Virtual tour: www.lokhorsterduin.blogspot.com