Vanouds het Dorpshuys is an event house in Bloemendaal, in the dunes and woods west of Haarlem, that hosts meetings, receptions, performances, parties and weddings for groups of 10 to 400 people. The building dates from 1929 and stands on the Donkere Laan, close to the center of the village. Catering is done in house and parking is free.
Seminars and company events
The venue sells meeting space for business gatherings, training days, presentations and full meeting days. The rooms can be arranged in a U shape, in theater style for presentations or as a workshop and training room. The site mentions seating for up to 35 people or up to 100 people, depending on the setup. A projector and screen are available for presentations and videos, and the team handles coffee and tea packages, lunches, dinners and closing drinks.
The same rooms work for business receptions, product evenings and company parties. The venue is open by appointment, so contact the team to discuss dates and the setup you need.
Weddings and receptions
Couples can hold a ceremony or reception, a drinks and cake moment, a dinner or walking dinner and an evening party in one place. The rooms are flexible for small and large groups. The venue states clearly that it is a location, not a wedding planner, and that where it applies it is not an official wedding venue, so a civil ceremony needs to be arranged separately. The team provides the rooms, the atmosphere, the facilities and the catering.
Rooms and capacities
The site gives one overall range: 10 to 400 people. It does not publish a plan of individual rooms. It does state that each hall opens onto an outdoor terrace according to a guest review, which the venue should confirm. For performances there is a stage setup, a sound system with microphone and a projector with screen. Ask for the room that fits your group size, as capacities per room are given on request.
Catering
All food and drink are prepared by the venue. Options range from coffee and tea on arrival to drinks, snacks, buffets and a full dinner, and the team tailors them to the event. Packages are available for drinks, birthdays, anniversaries and high tea, and the site notes that no room rental is charged on top of a package.
History and setting
The building was designed in 1929 by architect H.W. van Kempen, known for large villas and for the police station in Overveen. His hand shows in the many lamps and the stained glass. Guests describe an Art Deco interior with a homely atmosphere. The venue lies near the village center, the sports fields, the beach and the Caprera open-air theater.
Getting there
The address is Donkere Laan 20, 2061 JM Bloemendaal. Parking is free and plentiful. The beach at Bloemendaal aan Zee and the dunes are nearby, and Haarlem is the closest large town.
