31/08/2026
De Wiersse is a historic house and garden located in the east of the Netherlands. It belonged to the same family since the seventeenth century. In 1893 it came into the hands of jonkheer Victor de Stuers. De Stuers was the founder of monument preservation in the Netherlands and constructed the Rijks museum in Amsterdam. Shortly after the death of Victor de Stuers in1916, his daughter met and married the English/Irish Major, W.E. Gatacre, who was an amateur gardener and began restructuring the 300-hectare estate in the style of the grand estates and vistas that inspired him from growing up in England and Ireland. Lakes, bridges, clipped yew hedges, fountains and statues were introduced. In 1963, their son, E.V. Gatacre, took over the estate and with his English wife, Laura Gatacre-Dru, they continued to develop the gardens. In 1977, the gardens were opened to the public and in 2007 the entire estate was transferred to a charity to ensure its continued existence for future generations to enjoy.
