Vakantiepark De Barkhoorn

Anyone with kids in tow may want to head straight for the village of Ter Apel, 15 minutes’ drive away, to explore Wonderworld, where a nature discovery centre, fantasy figures, and birds and owls should entertain the little ones. Further afield, Landgoed Tenaxx is a must for dinosaur obsessives, who’ll be able to take part in excavations, follow a dino trail, zoom around on a train and engage in laser tag battle. Those travelling with guests of a more sedate nature can still head to Ter Apel, but should start instead at the 15th-century monastery to wander the museum. Stick with history with a trip to the STAR Train heritage railway (25 minutes) where steam trains can be taken from Stadskanaal to Veendam. History buffs not done yet? Cross the German border five minutes from the site and make a beeline for Clemenswerth Palace (40 minutes from base), a stunning 18th-century hunting lodge with an active monastery, pretty gardens, and pavilions housing museums. Stay in Germany for a trip to the rollercoasters, pony rides and covered playground of Schloss Dankern (25 minutes), then head a little further for the zoo and amusement park in Thüle. Back in the Netherlands, opt for urban days in the town of Emmen (35 minutes) with its zoo, theme park and casino, or take a longer drive to Assen (50 minutes) to visit the city’s museums, arboretum, TT circuit and World War II memorial site.