Camping Bos en Pingo

Budding zoologists will have lots to entice hereabouts: appetites whetted by the small petting zoo on site should be satisfied by trips to the goats, rabbits, camels and parrots at SanjesZoo Veenwouden 15 minutes’ drive away, days among penguins and polar bears at AquaZoo Friesland and reptiles at DoeZoo Insektenwereld (both within 25 minutes), and hours with the rehabbing seals in the Pieterburen centre 35 minutes from base. Sticking with nature is simple here too. The towns of Holwerd and Lauwersoog are both about 25 minutes from the site and are the departure points for ferries to the Wadden Islands of Ameland and Schiermonnikoog, respectively. The former has a maritime centre, museum, lighthouse and watersports-haven beach, while the latter is the smallest populated island in the Wadden, a national park, and known for its honey and cheese. All too pastoral? Blow off some steam with a trip to the Bullet Factory paintball centre, less than five minutes from base, or opt instead for a jaunt to one of the nearby cities. It’s about 30 minutes from the site to Groningen and Leeuwarden, and both are must-visits – the former for its carriage museum, châteaux and art, and the latter for its brewing history and casino. If all of this is becoming too earthly, head along to Eise Eisinga Planetarium, 45 minutes away, to turn eyes to the stars…