“Kustwachttoren”

When you look towards Den Helder, at night you can see a bright light shining from miles away (33,5 miles to be exact!). It's ''De Lange Jaap''; the symbol of Den Helder. It is the tallest cast-iron lighthouse of Europa, and the second-highest lighthouse in the Netherlands. It towers above everything else at 63 meters tall.

The 'Stelling of Den Helder' is one of the oldest stll presence military defensive lines in the Netherlands. The 'stelling' is build in commisioned by Napoleon as a protection of navy base Willemsoord. The city of Den Helder got his shape because of the 'Stelling' which is still seeable in the landscape. The 'Stelling of Den Helder' is very important for the authenticity and identity of Den Helder.

The nature that surrounds Den Helder is fairly unknown, but certainly worth the effort. For example the "Huisduinerpolder". Located behind the hospital of Den Helder starts a path to the marshy polder, next to Fort Erfprins. The brackish influence of the North Sea water is noticeable in the vegetation due to the presence of salt-loving plants. In spring and autumn there are large numbers of curlews, sandpipers and oystercatchers at high tide. Brent geese, snow buntings and moorhens look for food in the winter. The polder is a breeding ground for reed singers and redshanks.

Uniquely situated in the coastal village of Huisduinen, surrounded by sea, beach, dune, forest, polders and the Wadden Islands Texel and De Razende Bol, you can enjoy the beautiful nature, quiet and clean beaches and fresh air. The hotel offers 55 rooms and suites, an award-winning fine dining restaurant "C'est la vie Wine & Dine", a bistro with grill, live sports and a wellness center with swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and squash courts.

Hotel The Baron Crown is situated in the picturesque seaside resort Huisduinen, a stonethrow away from Den Helder, next to the beaches, sea and dunes. Within 5 minutes you reach the centre of Den Helder. Our hotel offers free WiFi. The suites feature a seating area with a flat-screen TV, DVD player, a minibar and coffee and tea. Each suite also has ironing facilities.

Beach entrance Huisduinen lies almost under de most beautiful and oldest lighthouse of the Netherlands, called ''de Lange Jaap'' and is named after the old village Huisduinen, which lies directly next to it. This beach is a nice and quiet family beach, with its own paviljon ''Factor 30''. You can find the toilets and beach shower here. In de surrounding area there is a beautiful old fort - ''Fort Kijkduin'', which you can visit. It has a magnificent sea fish tank, and a overview of the history of this fort. You can walk and cycle in a big dune area ''de Grafelijkheidsduinen''.

Visit this striking building and discover the story of the Atlantic Wall

Follow in the footsteps of Napoleon Did you know that sharks live in the North Sea? Would you dare to feed them? This is possible in the North Sea aquarium of Fort Kijkduin! A visit to the aquarium is an exciting and educational adventure where you learn everything about the underwater life in the Wadden and North Sea. Spectacular is the 15-metre-long walk-through tunnel. The historical museum of the fort is also very interesting. Walk through underground tunnels and discover 200 years of military history about Den Helder and the Napoleonic fortress itself. The new family exhibition explores the lives and work of the soldiers stationed in the fort in 1939 during the mobilization of the Dutch army.

Next to the sea, beach and dunes is the beautiful B&B 'Uit 't Zicht' at Huisduinen. Here you can enjoy beautiful rooms, an excellent well-kept breakfast and of course a lot of cosiness.