Gooi and Eemland

The Landscape

The Gooi region has a rich history that stretches back to prehistoric times. Burial mounds still dot the landscape, silent witnesses to early human settlement. During the Middle Ages, small farming hamlets emerged on the higher sandy soils, where communal arable fields, known as essen, were cultivated. In the 19th century, wealthy citizens from Amsterdam discovered the tranquillity and open space of the region and built elegant villas nestled in nature. Villages like Laren and Blaricum soon became beloved retreats for artists and commuters alike. Today, the area offers a beautiful and varied landscape of rolling heathlands, ancient woodlands, serene fens, and picturesque country estates.

Eemland is a unique open polder landscape nestled between the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and the Randmeren, shaped by peat, clay, and water. As early as the Middle Ages, locals built dikes and drainage canals to reclaim the soggy peatlands. For centuries, this low-lying region has served as pastureland, and even today you’ll find endless flower-rich meadows with grazing cows, perfectly straight ditches, and ancient dike lines. Meandering through this wide, open expanse is the river Eem, the only river that begins and ends entirely within the Netherlands. The landscape exudes peace, space, and vastness, with sweeping views to the horizon and fields teeming with birdlife.