Camping de Blökke

Uncertain whether you’d prefer hols in the Netherlands or Germany? Set up camp at Camping de Blökke – a family-friendly site on a working farm less than five minutes’ drive from the Gelderland towns of De Heurne and Dinxperlo – and have the best of both.

The site is less than 10 minutes from Germany, and one of the nearest towns – Dinxperlo – straddles the border, making explores of both countries an absolute cinch. Those explores should start in Dinxperlo itself, where guests can join smuggling tours, wander about the Borderland museum and visit the smallest church in the Netherlands, De Rietstap.

Not ready for getting out and about? Unwind back at site instead, where pitches are in an orchard with pretty views of the nearby meadows, and guests are encouraged to help Farmer Hans with taking the cows out to pasture, riding the tractor and – during well-timed stays – bottle-feeding the calves, plus the kids can ride (and groom) the farm’s ponies.

Those aren’t the only benefits to farm stays either: a small on-site farm shop stocks fresh milk, eggs, ice cream and meat from the farm itself, as well as local products and fresh bread (delivered daily with advance order). During high season, a snack truck drops by the site at weekends, so evening meals can be handily sorted.

For less farm-related entertainment, opt for days spent on the playgrounds, hiring bikes and setting out on routes starting from site (maps available in the farmhouse), playing miniature golf, or retreating indoors for games and crafts in the recreation room.