Hof ter Musschen Park

Hof ter Musschen is a ten-hectare nature park in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe), one of Brussels' municipalities, wrapped around a historic farmstead of the same name. Step in and the city quickly gives way to marshland, wet meadows and an old windmill — a glimpse of the countryside that once surrounded the Belgian capital.

Where does the name come from?

Hof ter Musschen translates roughly as "Sparrow Farm." The site itself is a former farmstead whose origins likely go back to the 15th century. It was rebuilt and expanded in 1741, and over the following centuries it changed hands repeatedly.

Who owned the farm over the centuries?

Under French rule the property belonged to the Prince de Ligne. In 1836 it passed to the Count d'Oultremont, who sold it in 1896 to the Du Pré-Evenepoel couple. The farm remained a working agricultural operation until 1979, known in particular for breeding Brabant draft horses.

What happened to it in the 1990s?

In 1990 the municipality granted a 40-year long-term lease to the airline NV SABENA, in exchange for a full renovation of the buildings. Restoration work began in 1993 and wrapped up a year later. On 20 October 1994 the beautifully restored farm reopened, and SABENA established its corporate headquarters there. Following the airline's bankruptcy in November 2001, the future of the site was left uncertain — it wasn't until 19 December 2006 that NV Hof ter Musschen bought out the long-term lease from SABENA's bankruptcy estate.

What can visitors see in the park today?

The grounds around the farm form a semi-natural site of about ten hectares, classified since 1994 for its high biological value. It includes marshland, wet meadows and wooded areas, alongside the Brabant farmhouse and windmill — together forming a kind of open-air museum of the rural landscape that once surrounded greater Brussels. It's a rare chance, within city limits, to see a slice of countryside as it looked before urban expansion took over.

Who is this park for?

The park mainly draws people looking for a quiet walk away from the urban bustle, birdwatchers, and anyone interested in the region's agricultural history and rural architecture. The mix of wetland and woodland habitats also makes it a worthwhile stop for those curious about local flora and fauna.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hof ter Musschen just a park, or also a historic building? Both — the name refers to the historic farmstead itself as well as the surrounding green area, which today functions as a protected nature site.

Is the farm still used for agriculture? No, farming activity ended in 1979. The buildings now serve other purposes, and the surrounding land is protected for its ecological value.

What else is on site besides the meadows? Alongside the wet meadows and wooded areas, the site includes a historic Brabant farmhouse and a windmill, forming a small historic architectural ensemble.

Where exactly is the park located? The park lies in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe), one of the nineteen municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region.