The park's name refers to the 'over-garden' situated across the road from the original main residence.
It is designated as a protected Rijksmonument due to its significant cultural and historical value.
The garden reflects the transition from formal Dutch baroque styles to the more naturalistic English landscape fashion.
Oranjewoud, where the park is situated, was once the favorite summer retreat for the Frisian branch of the House of Orange-Nassau.
The design utilizes 'ha-has' or hidden sunken fences to create uninterrupted views between the garden and the surrounding meadows.
De Overtuin is a protected 18th-century landscaped garden located in the Oranjewoud estate near Heerenveen. Designed in the English landscape style, the park features winding pathways, ponds, and diverse arboreal specimens including rare oak and beech trees. It serves as a classic example of historic garden architecture from the era of the Frisian nobility. The site is part of a larger interconnected cluster of historic estates and forest trails in the Oranjewoud area. The garden was historically connected to the nearby country houses through sightlines that have been partially preserved. The current layout emphasizes long, rhythmic vistas and undulating terrain characteristic of the 18th-century Romantic movement. It is maintained as a public green space providing habitat for local bird species and pollinators.
The arched wooden bridge overlooking the central pond provides the most iconic vantage point.
Bring insect repellent as the wooded areas and water features can attract mosquitoes in mid-summer.
Wear waterproof footwear if visiting after rainfall, as the natural paths can become muddy.
Combine your visit with a walk through the neighboring woodlands of Oranjewoud to see the broader estate context.
Do not attempt to enter private estate buildings bordering the garden; stick to the publicly accessible paths.
Stay on marked paths to protect the delicate root systems of historic trees; keep dogs leashed at all times.
