Fortduinen

Where to begin? Perhaps with a wander around the Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park, a couple of kilometres away: walking paths and bike trails galore run through this 3,500-hectare area of grasslands and sand dunes, with bike hire available on site if you need it. Cool off after your efforts by heading to the IJzeren Man lake 15 minutes’ walk from the site, for swimming, playing on the inflatable obstacle course, kayaking, paddleboarding or just stretching out on the sandy beach. Time for a culture fix? Head up to s’Hertogenbosch, 20 minutes away by car, to visit the Noordbrabants Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and the museum dedicated to the work of famed local lad Hieronymus Bosch. Not quite your thing? Take a 45-minute drive to the Bierreclame Museum to see its collection of beer advertising and paraphernalia from around the world. Kid-friendly attractions within a half-hour drive include the Beekse Bergen safari park, the Groene Poort dinosaur museum and the Smits camel dairy farm, where you can meet the herd and sample pancakes made with their milk. And you can’t miss a trip to the splendid Efteling theme park, for fairytale- and fantasy-themed rides and shows that’ll keep the kids wide eyed all day long.