Coastal dunes named as Netherlands’ newest national park

The dunes that stretch along the coastline from Hook of Holland to Hillegom have been officially named as the Netherlands’ newest national park.

The park, named De Hollandse Duinen, incorporates several nature reserves in South Holland in a single entity that spans 18,000 hectares and extended 9km from the shoreline at its widest point.

It is home to 7,000 species of plant and animals, including sheep, ponies and Highland cattle that graze the dunes. More than a million people live in the vicinity of the park’s boundaries.

The new designation comes with a €30 million budget from the agriculture ministry to help it comply with the national strategy for all 22 parks until 2030.

The park also has historical significance, as it contains remnants of the network of bunkers built by the Germans to defend the coast during the occupation of the Netherlands in the Second World War.

Agriculture minister Jaimi van Essen said: “The Hollandse Duinen are a unique area where nature, city and coast come together. This status will strengthen the co-operation that is already ongoing and give the area a recognisable international label.”