The park was designed by the famous Dutch garden architect Hendrik Copijn, known for his work on numerous estate gardens in the Netherlands.
Jan Hendrik Tromp Meesters, who built the estate, was a prominent industrialist and former mayor of Steenwijk.
The villa was built in the Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) style, which is reflected in the surrounding park's organic landscape design.
The estate grounds served as a private retreat for the Tromp Meesters family before being acquired by the municipality for public use.
The park is home to several exotic tree species planted during the original late 19th-century landscaping phase.
The name Rams Woerthe is derived from 'Rams' (likely a person's name) and 'Woerthe' (an old word for a piece of land surrounded by water).
Park Rams Woerthe is an English-style landscape park surrounding a prominent Art Nouveau villa in Steenwijk. The estate was originally commissioned in 1899 by the wealthy merchant Jan Hendrik Tromp Meesters. The park features a winding stream, mature arboretum-style trees, and diverse flora designed by the landscape architect Hendrik Copijn. It serves as a municipal green space connecting the town center to the outskirts. The villa, Villa Rams Woerthe, is now a cultural center often used for exhibitions and events. Visitors can traverse the network of walking paths that circumnavigate the villa's historical gardens. The park is characterized by its intentional lack of rigid formal geometry in favor of naturalistic, picturesque vistas.
The bridge crossing the stream provides the clearest view of the villa's architecture against the greenery.
Walk the perimeter trail to see both the formal villa grounds and the more secluded wooded sections.
Bring a camera to capture the reflection of the villa in the park's central pond.
Combine your walk with a visit to the villa's current exhibition if the cultural center is open.
Do not attempt to enter the villa if there is a private wedding or event in progress, as access is restricted during those times.
The park is publicly accessible year-round, though the villa museum follows specific seasonal operating days and may be closed for private functions.
Stay on the designated paths to protect the historical plantings; keep dogs on a leash.
