Hülshoff Castle

Red brick walls, tall stepped gables and a moat that reflects it all: Hülshoff Castle is about as typical a Münsterland moated castle as you can find. Above all, though, it is known as the birthplace of the poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff. Her family lived here for almost 600 years; today the castle is a literature centre with a park, café and a poetry trail leading to the second Droste site, Haus Rüschhaus.

History: six centuries of the Droste family

A manor called "Hof von Hulshove" is mentioned here as early as the 11th century. In 1417 Johann Droste, mayor of Münster, bought it; his descendants called themselves Droste zu Hülshoff and stayed until 2012. At first the family used the castle as a summer residence. After the experience of the Anabaptist rule in Münster, Heinrich I of Droste zu Hülshoff, who took part in retaking the city, moved his main residence here. Between 1540 and 1545 he added the west wing and fortified the castle.

The castle was never captured, but being so close to Münster, the family repeatedly had to accept soldiers billeted on them, for example the French commander-in-chief during the Seven Years' War. In 2012 Jutta Freifrau von Droste zu Hülshoff placed the castle and its contents in a foundation. Shortly afterwards the roof structure of 1417 was found to be close to collapse, and in 2014 it was restored for around 2.5 million euros.

What to see

• The castle: The main castle and outer bailey stand on two islands joined by a bridge. The Renaissance complex with its plain stepped gables was remodelled in Baroque style in the 17th and 18th centuries, using Baumberg sandstone and brick.
• Storm bell: A roof turret on the ridge of the main house holds a bell once used to sound the alarm far and wide.
• Gardener's tower: The tower of 1628 bears a relief of Heinrich I on horseback. Above the entrance to the main house hangs the double coat of arms of the Droste zu Hülshoff and Travelmann families.
• Park: Rhododendrons flower in May and hydrangeas in summer just behind the main entrance. In the woods stands a small tea house, a gift from Ferdinand Godfried von Droste zu Hülshoff, dean of Coesfeld. The oak avenue dates back to the early 18th century.
• Poetry trail: This outdoor museum links Hülshoff Castle with Haus Rüschhaus, the country house built by Johann Conrad Schlaun that is closely linked with the poet. You choose your own route, and an app provides texts and a map.

Current situation: museum refurbishment (as of October 2026)

The Droste Museum in the castle is currently closed for refurbishment, with reopening planned for 2027. The park and café-restaurant are open, although building work can affect hours. The café opens Wednesday to Sunday 10:00–18:00 from April to October and 11:00–17:00 from November to March.

Haus Rüschhaus in Münster-Nienberge reopened on 1 July 2026: Wednesday to Sunday 10:00–16:00, admission €10, free for under-18s, with the garden free during opening hours. From 1 November 2026 to 15 March 2027 Rüschhaus is closed for the winter.

Getting there

Hülshoff Castle lies about 10 kilometres west of Münster between Roxel and Havixbeck. Bus R64 runs from Münster Hauptbahnhof to the "Burg Hülshoff" stop. By bike from Münster, the best route is via Roxel. There is plenty of free parking. The grounds from the car park to the castle courtyard are step-free; the museum can only be reached by stairs.

Allow one to two hours for the castle and park, half a day with the poetry trail and Rüschhaus.

Tripto tip

While the museum is closed, combining your visit with Haus Rüschhaus makes particular sense. Walk or cycle the poetry trail between the two and you experience the Münsterland countryside between the two houses at your own pace.