Nature house in Balkbrug

This nature house is a small guesthouse located on the grounds of an old historic farmhouse in a hamlet. What is now a guesthouse was once a quaint but rather crooked, dilapidated shed that housed sheep, pigs, and chickens, and later served as a storage space for all sorts of farm odds and ends. Now it’s a charming little cottage perfect for a relaxing stay. When the shutters are closed, it still looks just like the same old shed from the outside. But open all the shutters, and light floods in, revealing a comfortable cottage with a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom, and a romantic sleeping loft beneath the old rafter roof. Thanks to strategically placed windows, the beautiful, old trusses remain fully visible. It is equipped with all modern conveniences. This cottage is rented out complete with bedding and linens, and a modest supply of coffee, tea, and kitchen herbs. Recently (June 2023), the main building was renovated inside, and three families with a total of five children now live on this property.

The nature house is located on a quiet, through road leading to Zuidwolde. Right from the property’s yard, you can set out on old sandy paths that invite you to wander through the Reest Valley. Meadows, fields, forests, and heathland alternate in a centuries-old landscape through which the Reest—one of the few freely meandering lowland streams in the Netherlands—winds its way. You’ll walk through a landscape that looks just as it did a century and a half ago. There’s also plenty for cyclists to enjoy. The Drenthe heath is within cycling distance, and the landscape around Balkbrug has retained much of its old, small-scale character. Charming, picturesque villages such as Ommen, Dalfsen, and Zuidwolde are easily accessible via scenic bike routes.