Natuurkampeerterrein Thyencamp

Here for the rural views? There are all sorts to pick from nearby: take your walking shoes or bikes off to Hijkerveld (five minutes’ bike ride) for heathland, or head for the forests around Hooghalen, where you can follow a trail that leads to the huge Astron Westerbork Radio Telescope (25 minutes’ pedalling). If you’re keen to spend some time with binoculars in hand, head to the Fochterloërveen (50 minutes by bike/20 minutes by car) to see if you can spot cranes and snake eagles. Wherever you choose to spend your outdoorsy time, swing back via at Baggelhuizerplas, a recreation area with beaches on a lake surrounded by forest. Up in Assen (half an hour’s bike ride), it’s worth visiting the Drents Museum and seeking out De Bonte Wever leisure centre for swimming and bowling. You might even like to put your eco credentials to one side briefly and stop at the town’s famed TT circuit (10 minutes away). Sobering but well worth a visit are the moving memorial centre and museum at World War II transit camp Kamp Westerbork (20 minutes’ cycle) and the National Prison Museum (20 minutes’ drive).