Palace Garden The Hague

Park full of secrets

Jenny from The Hague

About me Although I grew up in a small village, I've always been a 'city person'. I just love the feeling that there is always something going on, just around the corner. I've lived in the city of The Hague for just over twenty years now. My perfect day? Leave for work on foot, meet on the way for a coffee with friends, plan a lunch date and end the day meeting my loved ones on ...
"I think of the "Palace Garden" in The Hague as my backyard, It's not only a popular picnic spot but it has many secrets that make it dear to me!"

I don't have a garden, but I always think of the Palace Garden as my backyard. I go there on a sunny day, my children learned to ride their bikes there, it’s my walking route to work. To be honest, it’s not my backyard, but the king’s. His working palace, the Noordeinde, can be seen from this park. His mother was so kind to open the garden up to the public years ago.

When I came to live in The Hague, the garden was rather derelict and in bad shape. Nowadays it is buzzing with life! It’s a popular picnic spot, a great place to go with children and every Sunday morning (when the weather is nice) there’s a huge yoga class in the park.

There are lots of little stories (and rumors) about the park. In 1785, the first commercial balloon flight in the Netherlands took off from here. It’s remembered by a monument in the garden. Among the citizens of The Hague there is a persistent rumor that a secret passageway runs under the garden to evacuate the royal family, if necessary.

And my absolute favorite: there is a tiny alley in the right back corner of the garden that leads to a plain, anonymous door. Ring the bell next to the door and the guards will let you through. You’ll end up under a beautiful archway that leads you right into the city center. My secret short cut on my way to work!

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The Hague Spotter Jenny

About me Although I grew up in a small village, I've always been a 'city person'. I just love the feeling that there is always something going on, just around the corner. I've lived in the city of The Hague for just over twenty years now. My perfect day? Leave for work on foot, meet on the way for a coffee with friends, plan a lunch date and end the day meeting my loved ones on a terrace near the canal where I live. I work in communications, and even in my spare time I love to write. My favourite subject: new places I discovered and that I can't wait to share! W...

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Oct 5, 2025

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