Wilhelmina Park, Utrecht

Wilhelmina Park is one of the most beloved green spaces in Utrecht-East, offering a blend of history, nature, and recreation. Established in 1898 to commemorate the enthronement of Queen Wilhelmina, the park was designed by Henri Copijn in the English landscape garden style. Its origins trace back to 1888 when Baron van Boetzelaer sold the land to the city with the condition that a public park be created within a decade-a much-needed addition to Utrecht’s scarce green spaces at the time.

The park’s elegant layout features centuries-old trees, flower beds, and groves, with a central pond punctuated by small islands and a graceful fountain. The Promenade, running from north to south, invites visitors for strolls, cycling, and exercise, while a large sunbathing meadow in the south is a favorite spot for students, families, and picnic-goers, particularly in summer. Events and casual games of football or frisbee frequently animate the open fields.

Several monuments and artistic landmarks add to the park’s cultural charm. A statue of Queen Wilhelmina stands along the busy cycle path, which serves as a major student route between De Uithof and the city center. Nearby, a brick memorial bench in Amsterdam School style, erected for Mayor Fockema Andreae’s jubilee, and a tea house with a thatched roof from 1925, replacing an earlier pavilion, have both been designated as national monuments. Another unique feature is the EXbunker, a repurposed WWII bunker now hosting contemporary art exhibitions.

The Wilhelmina Park Restaurant, a refined dining spot known for its classic French cuisine, offers another dimension to the park’s leisurely atmosphere. Surrounded by stately mansions and monumental villas, the park has also been recognized as one of the Netherlands’ first national monument parks, making it both a historical and scenic gem in Utrecht.