Melkveehouderij de Lange Weide, Dwingeloo (Dr)
Dairy farm De Lange Weide in Dwingeloo, the Netherlands
The farm and its location
The farm is owned by the van den Brandhof family and lies next to the beautiful 3500 hectare Dwingelderveld National Park, one of the largest areas of heathland in Europe. In addition to this, another area of natural beauty, the Leggelerveld, with its famous blue lake which is ideal for swimming in summer, is also just a short cycle away. The farm is surrounded by the flat lands of Drenhte, an area of vast, silent spaces, perfect for cycling. There is a small stream close by which can be used for canoeing or fishing.
The Farm is part dairy, part arable and predominantly grows potatoes and corn. There is a herd of approximately 50 dairy cows, which are milked twice a day. The farm also has many other farm animals such as donkeys, horses, rabbits and goats.
Your hosts
Rik and Marian van den Brandhof and their four almost grown-up children will take good care of you.
Pets allowed
Pets are welcome, but must be kept on a lead at all times.
The surrounding area
The Dwingelderveld National Park is an excellent example of the typical Drenthe farm landscape and consists of a mixture of woodland, heathland and shifting sands. Close to the villages you will find arable land predominantly used for the cultivation of cereals. Grassland is bordered by streams. The centre of the National Park, the Heide 
and Kraloerheide together make up the largest area of wet heathland in Western Europe. This area has many small bogs (or heath pools) surrounded by coniferous forests. Villages and farms are set out in a specific way to make the most of the landscape: there are plots of land around the village square with arable fields on the elevated land and the hay fields and meadows in the valley by the stream. The lowlands of Dwingelderveld are covered in rare bog-loving heathers and from June to September the area is a mass of pinks and purples. The bogs themselves (Davidsplassen and Drostenveen) are important plant and wildlife sanctuaries. From the many bird watching towers scattered around the area you can observe Pintails and Eared Grebes. The vast heathlands require constant care and attention to prevent young saplings from establishing. This is why the Dutch equivalent of the Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission, together with local farmers regularly cut back large chunks of heather. Cattle and approximately 500 Drenthe heather sheep graze here too. In this way, this unique landscape is kept intact and plant species, such as the Marsh Gentian and the Round Leaf Sundew can thrive. This humid landscape is rich in nutrients and is also an important breeding ground for many species of butterfly, dragonfly and beetle, as well as for large numbers of reptiles and amphibians. 
Two sheperds look after all the area’s sheep and bring them back to their pens every evening – definitely a sight worth seeing.
The location of the tents
the BoerenBed tents are beautifully situated in a large field surrounded by hedges. There are good facilities for children and lots of small animals to cuddle with.
Unique to the farm
In the farmhouse shop you will find two leads hanging on the wall. They belong to two large white goats called Tante Bet and Tante Sjaan (Tante meaning Auntie) who love nothing more than to be taken out for a walk.
Slooow Food BoerenBed-style
Everyone is talking about the benefits of slow cooking – not only is it delicious but it’s also a great stress buster... Slooow Food at BoerenBed is the real thing with real ingredients, great taste and unexpected flavours that you just couldn’t capture at home.
• Farmers Soup or Stew from the Open Fire
You will receive all the ingredients (including fire wood), the recipe and cooking utensils to prepare a delicious farmers soup or stew at your tent. The soup costs €27.50 and the stew €32.50 and serves four people.
• Pancakes from the open fire
You are provided with the flour, eggs and butter to make the pancakes with and a wide seclection of toppings to make delicious farm-style pancakes. The pancake package serves a family and costs €25.00.
These Slow food arrangements are best pre-booked at the time of booking as availability is limited.
>> Click here to make a reservation at Lange Weide farm.
