
How many animals do you have on the farm?
We have about 60 young cows and four horses in the barn. In addition, we have cats, donkeys, goats, rabbits, and in our forest, you’ll find our two pigs: Babe & Betsy.
How did you meet?
Bill had emigrated to Canada, and Ella went there to visit him with a friend. That's when love began. But… Ella didn’t want to emigrate to Canada. The short version of the story is that Bill’s parents eventually bought a farm in Friesland, and together we embarked on the adventure of milking cows. However, our son Michel and his brother didn’t want to milk cows, so we sold that farm, and for the past five years, we’ve been running this campsite and a young cattle rearing farm.
Why did you become a farmer?
Bill wanted to be a farmer since he was four years old because he enjoys working with animals. Ella comes from a flower bulb business, so she wasn’t used to all the animals, and had to adapt to the fact that living with animals ties you very much to home, but she managed just fine!
What do you like most about your job, and what do you like the least?
We enjoy interacting with the guests the most. Having a chat, serving people – that’s the best part of the job. Especially serving ice cream from the soft-serve machine. The hardest part is letting go. It’s difficult to leave when you have a farm like this. And if you have a party or something else in the family, it's hard to leave everything behind.
What does being a FarmCamps farmer involve, in addition to all the other work you do?
Organizing many activities and, of course, stamping passports!
Why did you want to become a FarmCamper?
We didn’t consciously choose it. When we took over this campsite, the previous owners and their wife were already part of FarmCamps, and we thought it would be fun to continue that.
What is the best experience you've had with FarmCamps guests?
The best part for us is that we have several guests who have stayed with us multiple times. The most exciting was when we welcomed a girl who was afraid of chickens. We tried everything, but the family ended up leaving, and their tent remained empty the whole weekend...
Favorite vacation:
We love group trips. Seeing a lot and learning a lot from a guide. We’ve been to Morocco, Indonesia, and Brazil. Super fun!
Favorite hobbies:
Bill loves riding his horse and carriage. Ella paints candles, nameplates, and other items, and she works one day a week at a bakery, which is more of a hobby for her.
Favorite food:
Fries!
Favorite animal:
For Ella, it’s a dog, and for Farmer Bill, it’s his horses.
Our FarmCamps farms can be found all over the Netherlands. Curious? On our convenient farms page, you can find them all.




At FarmCamps, it’s all about being outdoors, cuddling animals and enjoying time together. There’s always something to do on our farms: from milking cows to horse riding and roasting marshmallows by the campfire. Discover how much fun a farm stay can be and experience real farm life!
Sometimes a good idea starts on holiday. That’s how Olga from Farms Around found herself in France with her family, searching for camembert: not from the supermarket, but straight from a farmer or small local producer. Cheese that is not only delicious, but also tells you something about the place you are visiting. The only problem? It turned out to be surprisingly difficult. Where do you find a farm shop like that, what exactly do they sell and can you just drop by?
The World Cup has started, and even the farm is getting a little touch of orange. At several FarmCamps farms, guests can watch the Dutch national team’s matches, sometimes all games and sometimes only on specific days or when there is enough interest. It is the perfect way to combine farm fun with cheering for Oranje together.
There was something extra special to celebrate recently at FarmCamps Alpaca Vorstenbosch. Not just because the sun was shining and the alpacas were peacefully grazing in the meadow, but most of all because a little miracle was born: alpaca Rio. And how special is that? Rio came into the world on Mother’s Day. As an alpaca, you could hardly choose a more beautiful moment to become a mum.
FarmCamps has entered a new chapter. The Dutch market leader in farm based glamping has been acquired by siblings Bram and Alette Bastiaansen. Alette Bastiaansen will take on the day to day leadership of the company, while Bram Bastiaansen will be involved as an investor.
Together, they want to further grow FarmCamps by helping more farming families combine tourism with their existing agricultural business. The mission remains clear: giving families the chance to experience real farm life, while creating new opportunities for farmers.
Holidays are the perfect opportunity to leave your daily routine behind and spend lots of time outdoors. Many people still like to stay active during their vacation without needing to visit a gym. For inspiration on fun and accessible activities, active travellers often visit websites such as padelgids.nl. A good balance between relaxation and exercise helps you start your trip feeling fit and energised.
Camping with the family is a wonderful way to spend lots of time outdoors together. Children rarely get bored when you prepare a few varied activities for them in advance. Parents sometimes look for new sporty ideas on platforms such as pickleballgids.nl. A smart mix of active play and relaxing moments helps keep everyone happy throughout the holiday. This way, you create a vacation full of fun and new friendships.
Camping on a farm also gives children plenty of space to play freely outside, meet animals, and discover nature in a fun and playful way.
A sporty holiday close to home can be found surprisingly quickly just across the German border. This forested region attracts many Dutch hikers and cyclists every year who enjoy tackling the steep hills. For specific routes and hidden trails, travellers often look for advice on platforms such as suggestme.com. This makes it easy to plan the perfect route in advance for an unforgettable and active getaway.
Having your own home on wheels gives you the freedom to travel wherever and whenever you want. However, this dream also comes with important financial responsibilities. Many future camper owners visit websites such as tankstationprijzen.nl to gain insight into recurring vehicle costs. Creating a clear overview of expenses in advance helps you understand exactly what to expect each month. Good financial planning prevents unpleasant surprises later on.
Colombia offers far more than just standard hotels. Throughout the country, you will find unique places that make your trip truly unforgettable. For up to date information about the safest regions, many travellers check articles on colombia.nl. This makes it easier to choose accommodation that perfectly matches your travel style.
On Wednesday afternoon, May 20, FarmCamps De Buitenhoeve will transform into a real Farmer Boris farm during the festive launch of the new picture book Camping with Farmer Boris. And honestly, there could hardly be a more fitting location for this cheerful book than a farm campsite surrounded by animals, nature and the great outdoors.
FarmCamps B.V.
Kerkstraat 14
1404 HH Bussum
The Netherlands
+31 88 - 888 9188
reservering@farmcamps.com
CoC: 54237890
VAT: NL851223709B01





