Kasteelhoeve

Chivalrous past

Grobbendonk owes its existence to a knightly family, also called Grobbendonk, the earliest traces of which date back to ca. 1200. This family was owner of the region since time immemorial, and built the Hof van Grobbendonk, situated at the confluence of the Aa and the Kleine Nete, as their residence. Over the course of centuries, unfortunately, the castle of Grobbendonk has been destroyed. Only the annex, the present-day estate, was spared. It is a splendid U-shaped farm behind which one can clearly see where the former castle stood. Behind that is around 10 hectares of swampland.

The role of Kempens Landschap

In 2015, Kempens Landschap leased the protected estate and its 14 hectares of land from Count Ghislain d’Ursel pending purchase.  The count wanted to breathe new life into the estate and open it to the public and found a suitable partner in Kempens Landschap. In cooperation with the municipality of Grobbendonk, our organisation will restore the building in stages and give it a new function.