The Keukenhof is a flower park northwest of Lisse, in the Dutch province of South Holland, where bulbous plants from horticultural companies in the bulb region are exhibited annually in the spring. The park, founded in 1949, covers 32 hectares. It is the Netherlands’ largest attraction with more than a million visitors per year since 2014, of which more than 75% come from abroad.

The Keukenhof is located on part of the Keukenhof Castle estate. The Keukenhof estate was founded in 1642 when a country house was built in the Keukenduyn of Teylingen Castle. The Keukenduyn derived its name from the fact that the proceeds from the dune area, such as game, cattle and all kinds of herbs and berries, were intended for the kitchen of Teylingen Castle. In 1949, a flower exhibition was set up on the northern part of the estate with the mission to be the international and independent show window of the Dutch floriculture and plant sector for 8 weeks.

Below is a selection of photos taken during a visit to The Keukenhof on April 11 2016. Click on a small photo for a larger view, then select the next one with the cursor keys or the arrows on either side of the photo.