Havixhorst, manor estate and hotel in Meppel, Netherlands

Havixhorst is a manor house with attached hotel in Meppel dating from the early 17th century, situated on a gentle slope in the Reest Valley. The building features traditional architecture with tall chimneys and large windows, surrounded by formal French baroque gardens with sculptures, trees, and a courtyard terrace.

The estate first appears in records from 1371 and was held for centuries by noble families like the Van den Cloisters and De Vos van Steenwijk, who shaped its form and structure. During the 20th century it served various purposes until 1982 when Het Drentse Landschap acquired it and began careful restoration of the buildings and grounds.

The name Havixhorst dates back to medieval times and was long held by noble families who shaped the region. Today visitors can walk through the maintained gardens and past old stone buildings, sensing how deeply this place is connected to regional heritage.

The estate sits north of the Reest river in Meppel and is surrounded by extensive green spaces and forests that invite walking and cycling exploration. The region lies within a protected nature area called Reestdal where visitors can take long walks through quiet countryside and observe nesting storks seasonally in the wetlands.

The estate hosts an art project called the 'National sculpture park' that began in 2005 and opened to the public in 2008, featuring works by Dutch artists displayed outdoors throughout the gardens. This open-air art museum merges the site's history with contemporary works, creating a unique walk through both time and creativity.