Heemstede is a hamlet in the central Netherlands. It is located 3 km west of Houten, Utrecht. The hamlet is known for Heemstede Castle. Until 1812, Heemstede was a separate heerlijkheid. Between 1818 and 1857 it was a part of Oud-Wulven, until that municipality merged with Houten. The area had 75 inhabitants around 1850.