EuroParcs De Utrechtse Heuvelrug

Chances are you’ll never run out of things to do on site, but it would be a shame to miss out on a visit to Maarn (10 minutes’ drive), a Dutch village built in the 1920s for railway workers and showing off distinctive gabled architecture. Close by there’s a whole cluster of historic castles to have a nose around; medieval Castle Lunenburg (15 minutes) is open for guided tours, and at imposing Beverweerd Castle (20 minutes) there are peaceful riverside gardens to wander. Fancy some big city action? Canalside Utrecht (half an hour) has a lively cultural scene, indie shopping and cosy cellar cafés for rebooting the caffeine levels. Major draws include canal cruises and the botanical gardens, and the Spoorwegmuseum (railway) and Miffy (the cartoon rabbit) museums if you’re with the kids. Medieval Amersfoort (20 minutes) is another spot for boat trips on the canals, and you can book snake encounters at DierenPark Amersfoort zoo (15 minutes). If you’d prefer to stay local and explore on foot or two wheels, take to the forest, meadow and heathland trails of Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park straight from your tent.