The estate will be open to visitors every day from September 27 between sunrise and sunset. Alderman Rik Thijs: You can enjoy beautiful walks along ponds, monumental trees, azaleas, and rhododendrons. With a bit of luck, you might spot deer, foxes, or even a kingfisher. And who knows, you might hear the rare bird, the golden oriole, sing. Moreover, it is truly Eindhovens cultural heritage, like the bench where Frits Philips drank his tea.

Lichtbos Vibes

The opening of De Wielewaal will be celebrated with two days of Lichtbos Vibes on September 27 and 28. It will be a festive weekend full of experience, culture, nature, and adventure throughout Lichtbos Eindhoven. For this, organizations and entrepreneurs from Lichtbos and De Wielewaal have joined forces. In the coming months, participating partners will announce how the weekend will look and how you can participate.

Peace and space

The Municipality of Eindhoven purchased the estate in 2022, aiming to partially open it to the public. Some parts of the estate will remain closed so that nature can develop in peace and space. For this reason, mountain bikes, motor vehicles, and large events are not allowed. Dogs are welcome, but only on a leash.

Green for a growing city

In recent years, the municipality has worked on strengthening nature and improving biodiversity. The estate was also made safer and more accessible. Rik Thijs: Opening the estate means more green for Eindhoven to enjoy, recreate, exercise, and relax. This is necessary with an eye on the future. The city is growing, and more and more people are living, working, and relaxing here. So, we are investing not only in bricks but especially in a green and healthy living environment.

Philips history

With the purchase of Estate De Wielewaal, the Philips heritage is also preserved. For example, the special gardens that were laid out around 1920, and the buildings. But also the stately mansion from 1934 that will soon be used for various hospitality concepts. At the old gardeners house, we hope it will become a place for nature education by Natuurmonumenten.

Agreements with the Philips heirs

The opening of Estate De Wielewaal is now possible, because agreements have been made between the municipality and the heirs of the Philips family. There was a prohibition on opening, meaning that an opening was not possible before April 2032. Now that an agreement has been reached, the gates can open on September 27.