About 6,000 years ago there was nothing but water. Today, from the coastline to the peat meadows in the east, a landscape full of contrasts. Typical for the area of Duin Horst en Weide is a series of different landscapes that lie parallel to the coast. From the coast, the beach, dunes, beach ridges with wooded estates, open beach plains, and peat meadow areas follow each other harmoniously. The high and dry location of the beach ridges were suitable for habitation. Farms were established and villages and towns arose. Because of the attractive natural landscape, the wealthy bourgeoisie and the nobility settled in the farms from the 17th century and later built beautiful country houses. Thanks to Prince Frederik of the Netherlands in the 19th century, many estates were merged into one large continuous leafy area that was not swallowed up by the continuous expansion of surrounding towns. The result is a natural and recreational oasis where peace, space, and history go hand in hand.