Buitenplaats de Luwte

It’s a doddle to keep kids amused around Buitenplaats de Luwte. Hotfoot it to Koe Safari Erve Vechtdal (20 minutes’ drive) and trundle past rare-breed Brandrode Vechtdal cattle aboard a vintage tractor or sail a wooden boat down the River Vecht. There are Gold Rush-themed coasters and Ferris wheels at Attractiepark Slagharen (half an hour), as well as carousels for younger kids. All ages will adore the madcap sculptures of giants and elephants set in landscaped grounds at Landgoed Anningahof (10 minutes’ walk), and families can work together at solving the puzzles at Swolland escape room (five minutes). The Hanseatic city of Zwolle (10 minutes’ drive) will also keep most kids cheerful with boat cruises along the canal and wacky art installations in De Fundatie Museum. Have a stroll around the thatched houses in gorgeous Giethoorn (half an hour, or potter along its many waterways by boat. When more demanding exercise is called for, go cycling along the banks of the Vecht or take a guided bike tour of the manmade IJsseldelta (half an hour).