Cattle- & sheepkeeping Hoeve Waterschap in Echtenerbrug

The farm and its location
This classic ‘stolp’ farm (stolp is Dutch for bell jar) is owned by the Diever family and lies in the heart of the Echtenerveenpolder in an area of outstanding natural beauty called the Veenweidegebieden. This used to be a peat-cutting district and consequently the landscape is criss-crossed with waterways, ditches and lakes. The farm was built by the once important Dutch Waterways as a co-operative farm for all the cattle and sheep that graze amongst the surrounding dykes. So there is plenty of water nearby the farm to enjoy, at 150 yards you find the waterway "Pier Christiaanvaart" which is connected with the beautiful frisian lakes. A meadow separates the waterway from the farm, so adverturous children can still play safely.

At the farm you will find a "children-zoo": sheep, rabbits, cuddle-chicken (get up early to get some fresh eggs) and goats roam freely in the enclosure. There are 3 goats which were bottle fed and are therefore very friendly and love to be taken for a walk. Children will spend ages in the zoo. Another favourite activity for children is swimming in the nearby river Tjonger or in the Tjeukermeer (meer=lake). The village Echtenerbrug is a great place to go for a drink and watch the boats going past.

The Farming
There are 80 dairy cows as well as over 50 Blessumer sheep grazing the land. You can try your hand at milking under the guidance of the farmer . You are also invited to help out with all the other farm activities, such as feeding the lambs in spring and mowing and storing the grass in summer. If you are lucky, you can even have a go on the tractor.

Your hosts are Gert and Crista Diever and their three children Femke, Sanne and Jente. Stef and Ansje Diever, Gert’s parents, regularly help out on the farm as well.

Pets allowed
Pets are welcome, but please keep them under strict control around the livestock.

The surrounding area
The farm lies in the south-west corner of Friesland province, on the fringes of the vast lake district. The Pier Christiaan canal lies 150 yards from the farm. This waterway is the main artery between the Friesian lakes and the lakes of the North West and is surrounded by an area of natural beauty called the Weeribben. The well-known ‘Zuiderzee Pad’ – a lovely footpath- runs parallel to the canal. The Tjonger Nature Reserve with its old peat-cutter cottages is also nearby. You can reach the Brandemeer Nature Reserve by means of a self-propelled punt; an ideal form of transport for observing the 50 or so different bird species that thrive in this area. The farm is a starting point for some good cycle trips to discover the area by bike. In spring, you will find a lot of waterbirds nesting in the area, Gert is a bird-lover himself and will happily take you out in the field to mark bird nests. Other childrens activities are the Kuinder forest, the Kameleon theme parc and National Park "de Weerribben".

The location of the tents
The tents are spread out in a field overlooking farmland and are very spacious. There are, beside the "farm-zoo", excellent playing facilities for children: swings, slides and a huge sandpit. A narrow path through the sheep field leads from the tents to the canal.

Unique to the farm
The Spring lambing season is a particularly special time to come to the farm when many lambs can be seen gambling around the fields. The river Tjonger flows nearby and is ideal for canoeing trips or for swimming in summer. Canoes can be hired at the farm and sailing and motor boats can be hired nearby.

• New! 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.

Open air pancake baking
At this farm you can bake your own pancakes in the open air. The pancake package contains, besides the and butter, the outside cooker to bake the pancakes on and also different ingredients to put on your pancake.

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 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 packages are best pre-booked at the time of booking as availability is limited.

• Breakfast service
Pamper yourself with this breakfast- basket with fresh coffee and/ or tea. Filled with delicious Friesien Sukerbole, fresh bread, apple- or pearjuice, yoghurt, a boiled egg, cheese, ham, marmelade, and much more delicious food items.
This luxury basket cost €34,50 each and is sufficient for 4 persons.

• Canoe and boat renting
A 4 persons canoe can be hired with us on the farm to make beatiful trips on the river Tjonger. Sail- and motorboats can be hired with the nearby "boatsman".

• Waterfun for children
At walking distance from the tents we have a farmers' raft where you can climb on, sail with and jump off.

>> Click here to make a reservation at the Waterschap farm in Echtenerbrug.