Nature house in Balkbrug

This nature house is a small guesthouse in the yard of an old monumental farmhouse on a hamlet. What is now a guesthouse was first a characteristic but also rather crooked, dilapidated shed where sheep, pigs and chickens lived, later storage for all kinds of farm clutter. Now it is an atmospheric cottage for a relaxing stay. When the shutters are closed, it is just the same little shed from the outside. But if you open all the shutters, the light pours in and it is a comfortable cottage with full kitchen, bathroom and a romantic sleeping loft under the old spur roof. Through cleverly placed windows, the beautiful, old trusses have remained completely visible. It is equipped with all modern conveniences. You rent this cottage including bedding and linen and a modest supply of coffee, tea and kitchen herbs. Recently (June 2023), the main building has been internally remodeled and three families with a total of five children live in this yard.

The cottage is located on a not busy, through road to Zuidwolde. Directly from the yard of the nature house you can walk on old sandy paths that invite you to wander through the Reest valley. Meadows, fields, woods and heaths alternate in an ancient landscape through which the Reest, as one of the few freely meandering lowland streams in the Netherlands, meanders. You walk through a landscape that looks like it did a century and a half ago. There is also much for cyclists to enjoy. The Drenthe Heath is within cycling distance and the landscape around Balkbrug has preserved much of its old, small-scale character. Beautiful, characteristic villages such as Ommen, Dalfsen or Zuidwolde are easily reached via scenic cycling routes.