Recreatiepark Marswâl

Many a happy day can be spent biking through the surrounds here, gadding about in Gaasterland’s woods and meadows. Or perhaps you’d prefer a bit more power, in which case you may like to join one of the moped tours heading out from Balk. Either way, at some point you’ll want to wend your way to the Wyldemerk (20 minutes’ cycle from the site), a woodland lake so densely populated with colourful critters it’s been designated the country’s first dragonfly reserve. Golfers can tee off at a course 10 minutes’ drive away, while those with a penchant for winter sports will want to head to the ice skating museum 25 minutes away in Hindeloopen to get the lowdown on the country’s top pastime for chilly days (as well as seeing all sorts of other museum bits gathered from around Friesland). The 40 attractions and bargain prices at Sybrandy’s Speelpark (15 minutes’ drive) makes it a top pick for those looking to entertain kids. Budding engineers might also like to take in a trip to the UNESCO-listed D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station (15 minutes) – even folks not immediately enthused by such a prospect may well find themselves fascinated by the inner workings of the world’s biggest steam pumping station.