Gouverneurstuin (Governor’s Garden)

Assen is the capital of the province of Drenthe, a modest, green city best known for its museum, its parks and the motorcycle circuit nearby. The Gouverneurstuin, the Governor's Garden, is one of its central public spaces, a landscaped garden whose name points to the residence of the provincial governor, the Queen's or King's Commissioner, who has an official home in the town. Gardens of this kind often started as private grounds and were opened to the public later, which gives them a more intimate, domestic scale than a municipal park.

The layout is the classic mix of lawn, trees and flower beds, with paths for strolling and benches for sitting. Mature trees give shade in summer and a mass of colour in autumn, and the beds are planted for different seasons. The garden is small enough to see in a short stroll but quiet enough to linger in, and it is popular with office workers at lunchtime and with people who have just left the museum. Because of its central position, it is easy to fit into a walk through the town.

Events sometimes use the space, and the garden can host festivals, art displays, concerts and markets, so a visit may coincide with something lively. On ordinary days it is a calm place to read, picnic or rest. The programme varies, and local announcements are the best guide to what is happening during a particular week.

The garden is a good companion to the cultural sights nearby. The Drents Museum is the leading attraction in Assen, with an archaeology collection that includes the famous bog body known as the Yde Girl, as well as art and exhibitions on a broad range of themes. Beyond the centre lie the Asserbos, a woodland park popular for walking, and the Baggelhuizerplas, a lake with a beach area. Motor-racing fans know Assen for the TT Circuit, home of the Dutch motorcycle Grand Prix, nicknamed the Cathedral of Speed.

The garden suits visitors on a city break, families with children who want a safe place to run around and anyone who likes a green pause between sights. It is open to the public free of charge, though special events may have their own rules. A visit takes half an hour, longer with a picnic. Spring and early summer show the beds at their best.