In September I wrote about Dutch Pavilion and Ameland, a pair of shared locations design by Sorcha Tyles, occupying the same Homestead region (see: Tea, coffee and pancakes with Sorcha in Second Life). Both shared similarities in looks and style (both being sandy temperate islands) and offers a lot to see and do.
Since then, things have changed. Ameland closed in March 2025. Dutch Pavilion, Sorcha’s first public setting, meanwhile, has relocated. Now occupying a south-west corner parcel of a Full private region, Dutch Pavilion retains all of its visual and photographic appeal.
Enjoy the friendly atmosphere at Dutch Pavilion, a serene park with a windmill, where you can escape, dance, chat, have breakfast & coffee and hangout. Listen to the sound of the meandering river and the chatty geese.
– Dutch Pavilion About Land description
The Landing Point sits at the western end of the parcel, raised up on a bluff overlooking open water to one side and the gardens to the other. A signpost alongside the Landing Point provides access to a Dressing Room for those wishing to change their looks for photography (or sunbathing, etc.), and an outdoor photo studio set.
The step down from the Landing Point to the stairs leading on down to the garden is a bit of a big one (well, it’s more of a jump than a step 🙂 ), with a loose-laid gravel path providing the way forward from the bottom of the broad stairs.
To either side of this path are garden spaces mostly given over to grass, one with a Tuscany style lean-to propped against an old Tuscany-style gateway, allowing it to serve as a little shelter for a donkey and its hay. To the other side, a Spanish style caravan and outdoor seating form a welcoming little vignette with butterflies circling and a rabbit keeping an eye on things.
Further along the path the grass becomes an outdoor seating area for the little café which has taken over part of the mill house attached to the windmill tower. Still with its sales turning, the mill tower is now a studio for designing clothing, complete with large rolls of fabric awaiting use.
The stream mentioned in the About Land description runs parallel to the gardens for a part of their length, running from the eastern boundary of the parcel before turning out to the sea at the western end of the beach, lying on the far side of the stream relative to the gardens.
The stream can be crossed via a single bridge, which accesses the boardwalk running along the back of the back and offering places to sit – as does the beach.
All of this is extremely picturesque whilst being easy to explore. However, what makes the setting enchanting is Sorcha’s attention to detail throughout. This comes in a myriad of forms: the dress of the interior of the café, the outdoor spaces with the café and the caravan; the flower vases on the tables; the rabbits and otter, the bicycles – the list goes on.
I particularly appreciated the touches of the everyday – such as the hosepipe on its little cart and the sign and bag giver warning against allowing pet dogs to foul the grass, together with a convenient bin for dumping used bags.
Small it might be, but Dutch Pavilion is perfectly formed and a genuinely engaging visit – be sure to look around everywhere, including behind the windmill!
SLurl Details
- Dutch Pavilion (Main Beach, rated Moderate)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 