Walk in Berlaarhof Park

Until recently, relatively little was known about the history of this striking estate. The focus had mainly been on its most famous owner, the tenor Ernest Van Dijck, who moved here around 1900. However, the archives of his descendants, the Vanderlinden family, have revealed a wealth of new information and include, among other things, photographs and plans from the early 20th century, when the castle and garden were renovated.

In 2018, the manor house was purchased by the municipality of Berlaar. The accompanying farmhouses and gardener’s house became private residences, while the castle and garden were repurposed for community use. In 2020, the non-profit organization Villa Vip moved into the castle. Ten adults with disabilities live there under the supervision of a care team.

The castle garden was opened to the public at the end of 2020 and serves as a green lung for the village center. The park is managed by Kempens Landschap, with a focus on historical and landscape elements as well as its ecological function. For example, fruit trees, a bee hotel, and native trees were planted.

The Berlaarhof and part of the garden were designated as architectural heritage by a decision dated September 14, 2019, due to their historical and architectural value. The estate is also part of the “Gestel and Surroundings” landscape complex.

📏 1 km
🕑 36 min.
🏔 flat terrain
📍 Pastorijstraat 30, Berlaar
🏁 Berlaarhof Park, Pastorijstraat 9, Berlaar