Camping Stories - Camping trip to Delflandhoeve in the Netherlands

Introduction

Recently, we made a very spontaneous decision to take a camping trip to a peaceful location only about 12 minutes away from our home. We had a free weekend, the weather was set to be fantastic, and a great campsite was waiting to be visited.

I pass the Delflandhoeve campsite twice daily on my bike, as I travel to and from work. It always looks a great place to pitch up a tent. Continues to fill me with curiosity and often makes me wonder what it might be like to stay there? 

In this new blog post, I hope to share some of my thoughts on a wonderful weekend in the Dutch wilderness.

Located just to the south of the beautiful city of Delft is the picturesque camping grounds of Delflandhoeve.

It is a glorious spot and is ideally placed close to a variety of local amenities. The campsite is situated far enough away to be able to enjoy the glorious natural landscapes that surrounds and close enough to have all the essentials at your disposal. As a result, I personally feel it provides the perfect place to visit and makes for an excellent camping experience.

Our visit started about a week before our initial visit, when I walked in from work and thought that it wwould be a great idea to all go camping for the weekend. With that, spontaneous thought I soon accessed the Delflandhoeve website and then swiftly made the booking. It turned out to be an effortless task and was completed very promptly. 

In no time at all we had full confirmation, and with that we were ready to embark on our very first visit.

An excellent camping facility

We arrived at the campsite at around noon and went straightaway to the reception. The reception area is found at the front of the campgrounds and is located just off the main driveway, which eventually takes you to the campgrounds.

It is a small reception, but has pretty much has all you will need. It sells drinks, ice creams and has relevant information about the campsite and surrounding local area. I wouldn't call it a big shop, but it does have what you need to make the whole camping experience that little bit more comfortable. On our arrival the staff greeted us, and they were very accommodating, polite and informative. 

They provided us with all the appropriate information about the site and explained that once we had paid for our stay, we could pitch the tent where we wished and enjoyed our stay.

At the time of our arrival there was a few tents, caravans and motorhomes already there, but more came later throughout the day. It certainly turned out to be the right timing, as due to it not being so busy on the site we had the chance to find a location that was suited to our needs. 

Around the campsite there is a lot of water, with small canals and inlets weaving all around. Interspersed between the water are freshly mown camping spots and small woodland coppices. It is a beautiful place and certainly has a nice feel to it. With several suitable camping spots that are not overlooked. So much so,  it really gives a nice feeling of privacy. Something I particulary like when I'm camping.

As our stay was only pretty short, we took the two relatively small tents and a collection of extra bits, just to keep things comfortable for us. The weather was warm and dry, so this allowed us to leave things at home. Our final pitching spot backed onto a small woodland area that allowed for shelter and the tent opening could then face towards the water's edge. Here a fabulous little canal weaved its way past the front of our tent and beyond, into the countryside.

The grassy areas around us were very lush and perfectly level. I thought it provided us with a perfect place to pitch the tent. It also allowed us to have an excellent area where we could just sit out and eat in the glorious summer sun. In addition, to this there was enough room for us to enjoy playing football and other sports like badminton and frisbee.

All in all, I was pretty delighted with our chosen location. We weren't overlooked by other campers and even despite having neighbours (near to) they were far enough away not to actually bother us.

Whenever we go camping it is always fabulous to cook in the the great outdoors. When outside I do like to call upon the trusty camping stove to allow us to cook in the fresh air. With that said, I did leave the main and bigger stove at home and decided (for this trip) to take the small portable BBQ.

This is a smaller packable BBQ, and is excellent for excursions like this one. The campsite is generally very happy for you to enjoy outdoor cooking, but they do make a significant point, not to scorch the grass. I'm very happy with this and feel it is a valid point. It is good to keep things the way nature intended. As it not only keeps the campsite looking good, but also supports the owners in helping to maintain such a lovely environment for all visitors to enjoy.

As well as the BBQ, I took the fabulous Biolite stove. Biolite make great products and I really love this stove as it not only provides the perfect heat source for toasting marshmallows. It also has many handy, fitted parts that enable it to be used in a variety of different ways. Those accessories include a multi functional kettle and a very handy cooking stove.

In addition, the unit also includes a handy USB port at the back, that helps provide power for charging the mobile phone and even a lamp which can attach. It is a multifunctional piece of kit, and I really enjoy using it over and over again. For more information you can click here.

Take to the water

As previously mentioned at the start of this blog post. This campsite also promotes a wide variety of outdoor activities and the possiblity of exploring the area in a canoe or larger kayak. At the reception and prior to your visit, you can book in advance and hire one of the many canoes and Kayaks, for an appropriate time slot.

The campsite has a wide range of equipment and it is all ready for you to use, whenever you need it. If you have ever visited the Netherlands before, you will know that there is large amounts of water to utilise and explore, with most of the country having extensive routes to travel upon.

If you hire from the reception you can enjoy a 1 hour paddle route or the longer 2 -3 hour route. All routes start and finish at the same location and so that you don't get lost all routes are marked on a waterproof map. Which you can take with you!

Once in the boats the routes are clearly marked, with appropriate route markers, which are positioned in the water. These are all national markers and are as clear as the extensive bike routes, so there is no really reason for you to get lost. Uneless you lose the map...

Besides taking to the water there are endless numbers of cycle routes and possibilities to walk and ramble through the area. The Netherlands is full of them, so if you are coming here from afar do make sure to bring your bike and enjoy what great cycling there is on offer here.

All cycle routes are clearly marked and you can enjoy many desirable routes to your hearts content. I cycle here on a daily basis and know there is a good mix of country sections and urban routes.

Furthermore, being English I know many English families and groups tend to come across on the ferry to Rotterdam or the Hook of Holland. They come here with there bike and then tend to find a camping spot once they are in the Netherlands. This campsite provides the perfect location, in close proximity to the ferry and then the Netherlands beyond. 

Surrounded by beautiful Nature

These lovely camping grounds are home to some of the Netherlands beautiful nature. Being so close to the water means that you will see and probably be visited by a wide variety of wildfowl. From ducks, geese, swans to moar hens, you will see many different types.

Of course this makes for a really great spectacle and as you look closely you will also see many small creatures nestling among the reeds and other long grasses. I personally could not quite believe how many dragon flies I counted, also catterpillars and spiders too.

Beautiful Surroundings

Apart from its closeness to nature the campsite is set within really well maintained and beautiful grounds. I was pleasantly surprised with just how peaceful this place was and indeed how tidy the camp grounds were.

It is green, clean and its overall appearance really does speak volumes and once here you really begin to appreciate the importance of simply getting back to nature.

How to get there

The campsite is located just south of the city of Delft, but is also very close to the cities of both Rotterdam and The Hague.

It is located in quiet spot, but is easily accessible by car and the train station of Delft Zuid is just up the road.

Conveniently, the site is found in close proximity to many different cycle paths, which basically run right beside it. Therefore, it makes it very easy to reach by bicycle and a great place to stay. Especially, if you are using here as a location to cycle to and from, as part of an extended route or tour of the Netherlands.

 

Delft is just up the road

Located a short distance up the road is the beautiful city of Delft. I really like Delft, as it has a huge amount on offer.

It has history, shops, cafes and plenty of must see buildings. It somewhere I pass through every day, therefore it is a place I enjoy coming back to over and over again.

You can read more about what you can see and do in Delft from a a previous blog post I have written.

You can access all of my thoughts and ideas by clicking on the image opposite.

Would I recommend Delflandhoeve?

I highlighted at the start of this blog post, it was our first visit and after visiting it certainly left a very positive impression for us as happy campers.

The campsite and surroundings were simply super and if you are looking for somewhere with some peace, activities to do, together with things close by. Then this is an excellent campsite for you.

We will go back again, during the summer holidays and I'm sure at sporadic points throughout the year.

http://www.delflandhoeve.nl/

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