Meijendel

Meijendel is a vast water-rich dune and nature reserve west of southern Wassenaar and north of The Hague. It is also a water abstraction area and is managed by water company Dunea. Meijendel is part of the Hollandse Duinen National Park.

Meijendel has a size of approximately 2000 ha and forms with the adjacent Hollands Duin the largest contiguous dune area in South Holland. The name Meijendel originated because there was a farm in a valley, which was named after the many hawthorns that grew in the area.
Behind the sea elm, the helmet-covered narrow strip of dune directly on the beach, are several other dune zones. Directly behind the westernmost first dune strip we find a zone with parabolic dunes and dune valleys with shrubs, moist grasslands and swamp with small sedge. The zone afterwards is rich in bushes and bushes but also bears the traces of the former agricultural use. The easternmost dune zone consists of high dunes with low-calcareous soil. It is an open area with the occasional planted pine or poplar forest.
Most infiltration ponds for water extraction are located just behind the westernmost dune strip. On the outskirts of Meijendel is a monumental water tower. There are also several bunkers from the Second World War in the area.

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