Holland - Family cycling

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 Sam W 19 May 2019

Thoughts are turning to summer holidays, and we're keen to take the kids (6 and 8) and their bikes to Holland.  Plan would be to spend 8 days there, with two different bases (i.e. 4 days in one place, probably camping, then pack up and spend 4 days somewhere else).

Any suggestions on destinations?  We're looking for natural beauty, plenty of cycle paths, a lake or sea to swim in would be a bonus.  We're expecting to camp, but will also look at other accommodation if prices aren't crazy.

 JuneBob 19 May 2019
In reply to Sam W:

I would recommend one of the islands in the north, eg Terschelling.

De hoge Veluwe are nice too

 Tom the tall 19 May 2019
In reply to Sam W:

Watching thread with interest- we fancy a few days on bikes using the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam (and therefore being car free in Holland) in August.

 Pids 20 May 2019
In reply to Sam W:

Spent a few summers around Tilburg area, doing cycling with my kids.

This is a really cool place to cycle round / through / spend time in  https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/destinations/provinces/north-brabant...

Loads or other nice, kid safe cycle paths around the area as well, plus visits to either Beekse Bergan or Efteling depending on you, and your kids interest.

Post edited at 09:17
 jethro kiernan 20 May 2019
In reply to Sam W:

The island of Texel, it’s part of the north coast cycle route, beaches, camping etc also a bit of wildlife.

Spent a bit of time working in Den Helder and the coastal cycling would be very good for a family 

 Brev 20 May 2019
In reply to Sam W:

Depending on what type of campsite you're after, maybe have a look at https://www.natuurkampeerterreinen.nl/en. They're a certification body for more basic/nature campsites. The search function on their website is quite good, e.g. you can select campsites that have a place to swim (river, lake, sea) within 1km of the site, sites with bad weather cover, etc..

You could also take a look at https://www.trekkershutten.nl (I couldn't get the map search function to work on the English language version of the website, but it should work if you switch to Dutch). They're basic 'hikers huts', spread across the country, often located on campsites. Prices start around €40/night. 

As others have said, Hoge Veluwe is very nice, but fewer swimming opportunities (although there will be plenty of large campsites that have swimming pools). The north (either Frisian islands or Friesland) is also nice, and lots of water (sea, lakes, rivers). Loonse and Drunense dunes is also a lovely area, and de Efteling is a great theme park with plenty to do for small kids (but expect it to be very busy during the summer holidays). I'd avoid the far South of the country (near Maastricht), it's beautiful but surprisingly hilly with lots of short sharp climbs which may not be ideal for the kids. 

 HansStuttgart 20 May 2019
In reply to Sam W:

you can have good biking everywhere!

Zeeland, coast of Noord-Holland, Noord-oostpolder, Friesland, etc.

Check the Fietsknooppuntennetwerk: https://www.fietsknooppunten.nl/

OP Sam W 20 May 2019
In reply to Sam W:

Thanks everyone.  Would love to go to the islands off the north coast, but it looks like ferry practicalities/costs mean we'll have to go Dover-Dunkirk, then drive through Belgium.  As a result, we're going to stick to the south of Holland this time, probably 4 days in Zeeland and 4 days at Hoge Veluwe.  

Any experience of the national park campsite at Hoge Veluwe?  They say you can't book, but that there is (nearly) always space.  Is this true?


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