In Wespelaar Arboretum you can see no fewer than 192 types of magnolia!
Wespelaar Arboretum is a gem. It’s a private collection of over 2,000 trees and shrubs that only fairly recently opened its doors to the public. At this time of year it’s gorgeous, with many of its 192 species of Magnolia in full bloom. It also has a large collection of Acer (maples), Stewartia (camelias), and some lovely Rhododendrons of colours I never knew existed.
The whole is beautifully laid out in spacious grounds. There are no footpaths; you just walk over the short grass. There are numerous benches in the shade or in the full sun, and a map is available from reception.
It’s open on Wednesdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00. Admission costs 5 EUR per adult, or you can take a family subscription for the whole year for 30 EUR. There are adequate car and bike parking places, and the 284 bus (Leuven-Mechelen) stops directly outside. Altogether a lovely oasis of peace and beauty.
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Denzil, when your post showed up in my reader, before I knew it, I heard myself saying “Oh, no.” Do you know why?
Because every time I read what you wrote, I want to call the airline right away so I can fly there! 😉 It will be a dream trip for sure and I will definitely review your posts before the trip. Thank you!
Have a wonderful day.
Ha! What a lovely comment Helen. I should go into partnership with an airline. Are you seriously considering a trip to Belgium?
It’s on very top of my list. We have been visiting Europe once a year for the past several years. This year, we have booked a river cruise, which is coming soon 😉 Maybe next year? I hope.
I think you should be recognized by your Tourism Bureau 😉
Have a great day.
Which river are you cruising down Helen? Maybe the Rhine?
Yes, recognition by a Tourism Bureau would be nice. I often think I am doing their work for them! Actually I frequently try to suggest working or cooperating with them, but with very little response from most of them.
Danube Waltz… our first river cruise. Hmm… I thought you did a wonderful job introducing Belgium to us. To the minimum, they could link to your blog from their web site. I am sure a lot of people would love to read it before traveling to there.
I could write a book (well, maybe a post) about tourist offices over here and how unhelpful some of them are to tourists! Not all, I hasten to add. But I have had bad experiences with some of them, when I asked them to stock my booklets describing walks around their particular area. Maybe I will write about my experiences one day!
Such a beauty almost right under our very noses.
You’re right Anna. And some very pleasant scents right under our noses too! 🙂
I didn’t know there were so many varieties of magnolia. I would love to visit when they are in flower. No footpaths is a lovely idea. Wandering over the lawns is so much nicer.
Maybe I will visit again and take a photo of every variety; that would be quite a project! Walking over the lawns is pleasant when they are dry!
Goodness, how would you keep track of them all. That’s true about grass, not so nice when it’s wet.
That is a big estate! Looks lovely.
What a delightful garden. I’m pleased to hear that it is open to the public and being lovingly maintained. The public botanical gardens near us are in very sad shape. Thanks for sharing!
You should write a complaining blog post aimed at them Maggie!
I’ll give that some thought.
Hello Denzil!
What a precious piece of parkland beauty for visitors to enjoy. And your images are beautiful.
Another enticing post from you, thank you 🙋🌟
Thanks for the positive comment as always Di! I hope you are nowhere near the cyclone, or that it doesn’t come anywhere near you.
Hello Denzil!
You’re very welcome🙋
And thank you for asking about the cyclone over here.
It’s 2600.2 km (1615.69 miles) north of Melbourne, but still on the east coast of Australia. So it’s quite a long way up from me here. I appreciate your concern and kind comments 🌟🌟🌎
I forget how huge Australia is. (Well, I haven’t forgotten because I’ve never been there to remember!). I look at the map and think “oh it’s just up the coast” and then realize it’s like travelling from Belgium to North Africa!
Morning Denzil!
Don’t worry… so do I! I had to google the distance to tell you.
Yes, it’s vast and most of it is hot and dry. When flying to Europe it takes 5 hours to reach the ocean on the west side.
Thanks again for asking and enjoy your day 🙋🌟
So lovely. You’ve given me a bit of a reprieve from the seemingly endless winter we are living through in Maine. Thank you!
Endless winters are never endless, fortunately. They just very frequently appear to be so! I will try and send some of our sunshine over there.
Having grown up in Rotselaar, one village over from Wespelaar, I know this magnificent arboretum well. This is a must visit place. Thank you for sharing Denzel! I too needed a break from the mountain of snow in my New York Hudson Valley yard.
Hi Francoise, thanks for dropping by. I know Rotselaar well. My youngest son is living there (Wezemaal to be precise). I am glad my post brought back some memories for you. When did you emigrate to the States? I hope the snow soon disappears for you.
I i know the place and I’ve been there. Wonderful especially when the magnolias blossom
And I bet you have taken some marvellous photos there Joke. Your blog is beautiful. If any of my readers wants to have a look, it’s https://mijnnikonenik.wordpress.com/
Such a gorgeous garden – I love walking Belgium with you, Denzil. You capture such beauty.
Thank you Sharon, that’s very kind of you to say so.
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