Here, time feels like it has stood still. As you drive up Den Branderhorst’s winding, tree-lined driveway, you immediately feel the stress slip away from you. You are immediately in another world as you enter the yard. And in this beautiful place, in the middle of the cosy Achterhoek region, you can enjoy a wonderful holiday and discover life on a small, traditional dairy farm.
Since 1860 (!), the Pelgrum family has lived on this picturesque farm in (Gelderse!) Hengelo. Farmer Eddy and farmer’s wife Anne-Marie are already the 5th generation to milk the cows here, amazing!
They take their time to show you how they take care of their small herd of about 30 dairy cows. Together with farmer Anne-Marie, you can bring the cows back from the meadow and help farmer Eddy milk them or feed the calves. What makes your stay here extra special is the Cow Cuddling workshop. Together with farmer Eddy or farmer’s wife Anne-Marie, you will experience the peace and warmth of sweet cows that like to be cuddled. Absolutely an unforgettable experience.
Besides the cows and their calves, the farm also has a few pigs, cuddly chickens, rabbits, cats and ponies. Shetlander Jopie is enjoying her old age here and likes to walk around the yard and can really enjoy a nice cuddle or brush. The other sweet ponies also like to be pampered by guests. And of course the ponies can be ridden now and then.
Farmer Eddy loves socialising and enjoys telling guests about life on the farm. Together with farmer Anne-Marie, he makes sure their guests lack for nothing. For instance, they regularly organise a cosy French fries evening and sell delicious hamburgers made of meat from their own cows. Saves you another evening of cooking 😉.
In short, FarmCamps Den Branderhorst has all the ingredients for a Burgundian stay on an authentic farm. With the atmosphere of the French countryside, but then simply, ‘with us in the Achterhoek’.
What a great choice!
Cow cuddling in the Achterhoek!
This is what makes this farm so much fun!
FarmCamps Lucky Breaks
* NOTE: The price shown includes all charges except tourist tax and bed linen. The numbers indicated in red apply to the type of tent listed. So it may be that another type of tent is available on the farm.
Here in this part of The Netherlands which they call the ‘ Achterhoek’ it’s all about maximum fun and enjoyment. This small scale farm hosts just 15 tents, promising you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet while guaranteeing undivided attention from your farm hosts.
At FarmCamps Den Branderhorst you stay overnight in one of the extra luxurious Lodge and Barn tents which include a modern, generously furnished living room, private toilet and bathroom with hot shower, together with a well-equipped kitchen (including an Lavazza espresso machine).
This FarmCamps farm is located on a quiet road and is surrounded by glorious pastures and fields. On this location, it is not possible to camp using your own equipment. There is a separate field with 3 tiny houses. These can be booked via Den Branderhorst’s own website. Near the farm you can enjoy beautiful walking and cycling routes.
On a large field adjacent to the farm stand the 15 luxury Tents, situated with plenty of peace and privacy. In the middle of the field, you have a campfire and a sandpit for your mini-farmers. Here you will also find the trampoline, a swing, a slide, together with a football pitch. So from the comfort of your relaxing chair in front of your luxury tent, you can keep an eye on your mini-farmers – no matter their age!
Luxury Lodge Tent with private bathroom. Spaciously furnished with, among other things, a cosy living space.
Luxury Barn Tent with bathroom in the tent. Spaciously furnished with, among other things, a cosy living space.
No farm adventure would be complete without learning a thing or two from the professionals. And farmer Eddy and farmer’s wife Anne-Marie personally take care of that. You can help Eddy milk the cows and feed the ponies, chickens and pigs. The ponies also love to be cuddled and groomed.
If you are more in the mood to play then you won’t be disappointed! Skelting, trampolining, making sand cakes in the sandpit or playing with your new friends in the tree house or on the zip line. Everything is possible and allowed.
At check-in, children will receive FarmCamps’ Farmers Passport. This contains fun and educational assignments. Your mini-farmers can discover and experience real life on a farm. For each completed task they will receive a stamp in their Farmer’s Passport.
During your stay farmer Eddy or his wife Anne-Marie will show you the ropes with a guided tour of the farm. They will share with you the pleasure they get from working the land and raising their livestock. Experience this unique chance to go where only farmers dare to go and soak up the special stories they´ll share with you about the farm they love and care for.
Together with farmer Anne-Marie, you will make your own butter from fresh milk. Afterwards, you can take it back to your tent and spread it on your sandwich, of course!
This farm offers your mini-farmers the chance to experience what it’s like to ride a pony (naturally someone will walk with them).
Do you feel like getting creative for a while? Then get the clog craft kit at farmer Anne-Marie. With this you can a traditional wooden clog, like the ones worn in the past. You can make the most beautiful creations with paint and brushes. You can choose between a large or a small clog.
Would you like to experience what it is like to relax by lying against a warm cow’s body? Then join the cow cuddling workshop on the farm. Together with farmer Eddy, you go into the meadow or barn where the cows love to be cuddled.
If you like to play, then you’re in the right place! Here you can play football, play in the tree house, ride the go-karts or play with sand or do somersaults on the trampoline.
Looking for ultimate relaxation? Breakfast will be delivered to your tent by farmer Anne-Marie. And if you fancy an evening BBQ, you don’t need to leave the farm for that either. Anne-Marie will take care of it all for you! And if you don’t feel like cooking, just join the Farmer’s Fries night.
And of course there is always the small on-site farm shop where you can pick up your basics and a few treats. Or buy some local meat! If you like, Anne-Marie is also happy to fetch you freshly baked bread in the morning – now that’s handy!
No one likes going home with a bag of dirty washing, Then order the Towel Pack and rent the one and only FarmCamps farmer’s overall for the kids. Your mini-farmers will not only look great but their clothes will not get so dirty either!
You can order all your extras at the point of booking, but if you are not sure yet don’t worry, you can also order them on the spot.
A deliciously fresh farmers breakfast delivered to your tent including fresh bread, milk, juice, yoghurt, eggs (you cook these to your own liking) and of course a variety of condiments.
Every morning you can also use the bread service. You can order the bread a day in advance at the farmers shop.
Treat yourself to a tasty farmers BBQ including local artisan meats, salads, bread and sauces and of course it wouldn’t be complete without a treat for the kids. The barbecue (charcoal or gas) is included in the price.
Farmers Eddy and Anne-Marie would like to invite you to their cosy farmer’s fries evening. When the weather is nice, we eat together on the terrace, otherwise Eddy and Anne-Marie bring the fries to your tent. With a healthy serving of salad on the side no one would blame you for grabbing an extra chip or two! And for dessert, everyone can grab a delicious organic ice cream.
On arrival days it is possible to order a delicious beef burger sandwich from Eddy and Anne-Marie with meat from their own cows. In addition to the burger, the bun also contains fried onion, lettuce and tomato. yum!
No need to lug around your own baby gear! This package includes a baby bed, high chair and a changing mat. Don’t forget to bring your baby’s own bed linen though.
Not only will your mini-farmers look very cool in these red overalls but you’ll be sure their clothes don’t get ruined!
Includes 1 x large and 1 x small, thick white towel. Perfect for leaving washing behind at the end of your holiday!
Watching other families enjoy themselves here shows us how few leave the farm since there is so much to see and do. Here the kids are in their element and don’t have time to get bored! That´s why the parents are having a great time too.
If you do want to see something of the surroundings, the Burgundian and cosy Achterhoek offers plenty. Medieval villages, old castles, beautiful forests for hiking or mountain biking on one of the many routes near the farm, wine farms and much more fun. A bit of southern Europe in the Netherlands.
Water
For a bit of fun swimming then you do not need to go far! Located in the village, this outdoor facility boast two large pools, a separate toddler pool, a large water slide and chute, diving boards, grassy lawns and lots of play areas.
Water
Located in Braamt, just 15km from the farm, this stunning outdoor swimming and recreation area offers not just relaxation and sunbathing but also water skiing, wakeboarding and a delightful restaurant and terrace with beautiful views.
Water
Even if the weather is not on your side you can still enjoy a pleasant swim at De Brink swimming pool. Zelhelm is near the farm and here you will find an indoor pool with a large water slide, a separate paddling pool with fun water toys and whirlpool for Mum and Dad!
Playing
The biggest amusement park in the ‘Achterhoek’ region is full of traditional games and amusements for children. Naturally, everything revolves around the famous puppet show, Punch and Judy. Here the kids can spend hours of fun playing both in- and outdoors. There is a large water playground, a turbo slide, gnome train and of course puppet shows!
Playing
Located in Ruurlo, this adventure forest expands your horizons and gets the adrenaline flowing! Here you will find no less than 6 different climbing adventures and approximately 100 different transitions, increasing in difficulty and heights. Behind every tree there lurks a new surprise! There is also a special junior rope course for children from 7 years.
Playing
Megapret is mega fun! Located in Lievelde this fabulous, family-friendly park is great in all weathers. Here you experience both in- and outdoor fun, water fun and golf fun – in fact – mega fun! During the summer the water playground is open and with 25 water fountains and chutes it is the largest spray park in The Netherlands!
Nature
This beautifully restored outdoor maze in the neighbourhood of Ruurlo has been in the Guinness Book of Records as the greatest outdoor maze in the world since 1996.
Nature
Close to Ruurlo maze is a great little route for small kids from 2-6 years. The route is about 1.5 km long, working its way through a forest plotted with little gnome cottages along the way. At each cottage you can read a story and in between the cottages the kids can play and discover. After the course enjoy a delicious pancake at The Heijkamp.
Nature
Within half an hours drive you’ll find Burgers Zoo. Go out on a discovery through the Malayan Tropical Rainforest where you can spot the tigers or take a closer look at the elephants, rhinos and meerkats.
Nature
Would you like to experience something unique? How about a boat trip on the zomp, an historical type of sailing vessel dating back to between 1670 and 1925. De Berkel in the village of Almen offers you the opportunity to enjoy the views from the ship whilst the skipper tells all kinds of tales.
Culture