It is located 3 km west of Houten, Utrecht.

[2] Between 1818 and 1857 it was a part of Oud-Wulven, until that municipality merged with Houten.

[2] It was first mentioned in 1219 as in Hemsteden, and means "place with houses".

[5] A fortified farm called Heemstede was first mentioned in 1323.

[6] In 1645, a manor house was built about 500 metres to the north.