Veehouderij Hoeve Meskenwier in Akkrum (Fr.)

Look after a pony on Meskenwier Farm
If you choose your holiday on this farm you can look after a pony during your stay. You can take the pony for a walk in the countryside, feed it, brush it, cuddle it or simply just look at it. You will find looking after a pony is great fun, not to mention educational for your children (and yourself) to be responsable for the care and welfare of the animal.

The farm and its location
The name ‘Meskenwier’ comes from the Friesian word ‘Mesken’, meaning the land that floods in winter and ‘wier’ meaning knoll or hill. This 200 year old farm is situated on such a knoll on the banks of a small river called the Boarn, a tributary of the old Middelzee which used to flow into the heart of Friesland. The knoll used to house a Friesian castle, a so-called "Stinz". Tette, the farmer here, can tell you the story of how this ‘Stinz’ disappeared...

The farm is built in a typical Friesian style known here as a ‘head, neck and body’ farm. The ‘head’ was traditionally used for cheese and butter making and, due to the lack of any refrigeration, always faced north. The ‘neck’ housed the living quarters and the ‘body’ would have been used for sheltering the cattle and storing the supplies.

The farmland stretches to, and is surrounded by the small river called “de Boarn”. This river is the connection waterway between the surrounding lakes and the villages on its banks such as Grou, Terhorne, Goingarijp, Joure and Sneek. These lakes and villages offer a host of hospitable inns & pubs and many activities both in the villages and on the lakes and waterways which are very typical for this part of Holland.

Corn is also grown here, in the summer it grows up to 2 metres high. You can walk through the cornfields at any time of the day and you might come across deer and other animals who are looking for food and shelter there. The farmland is surrounded by the Boarn river and there is a splendid circular walk from the tent area along the river, then on top of the dike and back to the farm. For children there is more than enough to do on and around the farmyard; collecting eggs, cuddling the rabbits, the goats and the ponies. Relaxing, space, adventure and hospitality are the words, which you will remind you of your holiday at Meskenwier.

 

The Farming at Hoeve Meskenwier
The Hofstra family have been dairy farmers at Meskenwier since 1926. Tette and Jantsje keep between 40 and 50 calves, which are fed twice a day, BoerenBed guests can, of course, get also involved in, however the best is feeding the smallest calves yourself with the bottle. During the summer months, the young calves are traditionally kept in a pen in succulent grassland surrounding the farm. You can also help feeding the "wouterkes" which is a frisian word for little lambs, who are also bottle fed.

The farm family
The Hofstra family;
Tette & Jantsje Hofstra.

Pets allowed
Pets are welcome, but please keep them under strickt control and on a leach around livestock.

The surrounding area
The farm is situated in the heart of the Friesian lake district, 3 km from Terhorne and friesland most famous lake "het Snekermeer". In Terhorne, you will find the 'Kameleon-village' a themed village where you can experience old-fashioned frisian life, with lots of fun and exciting activities for children. The village is based on the famous dutch childrens books "the Kameleon". In the surrounding area of Akkrum, Terhorne, Sneek and Grouw you can sail with the classic frisian ships called "skûtsjes" and "zeilpramen" through the narrow "ditches" and over the wide lakes. The well-known nature reserves de Oude Faenen and de Deelen are easily accessible from the farm and there are numerous walks and cycle routes nearby including the delightful ‘De 8 van Grou ’; these are cycle routes through the wetlands of Friesland which involves taking numerous small ferries.

During the summer months there is a lot of activity in the surrounding villages: people enjoying the day in small boats; on bikes or simply strolling around. There are many local markets and festivials. The children can go for a swim in “de Boarn” or 3 km further on to the beach of the “Snekermeer”. In Joure you can visit the tropical swimming paradise. The idyllic village of Jorwert is only 20km from the farm; well worth a visit, this tradional village got its reputation as a result of the author/writer Geert Mak.

The location of the BoerenBed tents

The tents are located in a spacious field with lovely views over the surrounding farmland. There is a play area for children. A path through the meadow leads to the river Boarn, where you can start your canoeing trip. Canoes are available for hire at the farm and boats can be hired nearby.

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.

• Barbeque package
The barbeque package is for 2 people. The pack contains of 5 types of meat, 4 types of sauces, 2 salads, french bread, garlic butter and jacket potatoes. Included in the price is the hire of the barbeque and charcoal. The bbq-package costs €40.00.

These Slow food arrangements are best pre-booked at time of booking as availability is limited.

The BoerenBed Field Spa
This season we are introducing a unique experience in Wellness with zero carbon footprint. A pure and revitalising way of relaxing, far away from the stresses of daily life. The Feather Down Field Spa will be different to anything you will have experienced before. Nothing purpose-built in marble or chrome here. No well turned-out therapists or exotic fruit juices flown in from the four corners of the globe. Just do-it-yourself invigorating goodness in the middle of a field breathing in the fresh air, listening to the birds. A once in a life-time treat. The Field Spa is completely CO2 neutral, everything works without electricity or gas. Don’t worry, we will provide you with an instruction pack. The whole concept consists of hot and cold showers, a sauna and a huge warm water field tub.

A Field Spa experience costs €87.50 (up to a maximum of 6 people) per session (a session is divided into; morning/afternoon & afternoon/evening). Extra people; € 10.00 per person, per session.

The Field Spa experience is best pre-booked at time of booking as availability is limited.
 

>> Click here to make a reservation at Meskenwier farm.