Nature house in Balen
Antwerp, Belgium
- 2 persons
- 1 bedroom
- Pets allowed
This off-grid forest cottage is located in the middle of the Boulder Hill, on 5000m² of private land, overlooking the shifting dune plain. For us, the cottage brings peace, nature, happiness. A small piece of paradise, on this big globe. On weekends you share the Keiheuvel with hikers, cyclists and the occasional glider. During the week, you often seem to have the Keiheuvel all to yourself. This place is geared toward de-communicating, enjoying and especially being un-plugged. You pump your own water, electricity is provided by solar panels and you heat your home with wood from the forest. After 20 minutes of pumping and an hour of heating you can enjoy a soothing bath. In the forest you will find different types of trees, all kinds of animals and a swing. In the cottage you will enjoy in front of the fireplace, a book or music from the record player. Important to note: we have a small refrigerator. You have to bring your own drinking water and water for cooking: an average of 3l per person per day.
Nature and surroundings
Step out the front door and immediately enjoy strolling through forests, over shifting dunes, along fens and heathland. The cottage is located in the middle of nature Keiheuvel - The Most. Nature reserve De Vennen can be reached by a short walk along some hiking nodes. Within cycling distance you will find nature reserves Kattenbos and Pijnven - where you also have the chance to cycle through the trees. So you can feel free to leave your car at the side during your stay. Still want more variety? Then Scheps nature reserve in Balen, the Great Netewoud in Meerhout, the other nature reserves of National Park Bosland, ... are just some examples of places you can reach in less than half an hour's drive. Don't feel like being active? Sit in the easy chairs on the terrace and watch for deer, squirrels, hares, woodpeckers or owls. Or lay in a hammock among the trees and enjoy the peace and nature around you.
Facilities
- 2-pers. bed (1x)
- Parking (1x)
- Wood stove
- Electricity
- Garden
- Garden furniture
- Terrace
- Terrace (covered)
- Garden doors
- Jacuzzi / hot tub
- Dog bowl
- Kitchen
- Fridge/freezer
- Gas stove
- Sanitary facilities
- Bathroom (1x)
- Bath
- Toilet
Location
Reviews
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MaartenApril 22, 2026
Super considering nice details
Super gelet op leuke details
Lovely atmosphere, beautiful nature
Heerlijke sfeer, mooie natuur
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AsaMarch 25, 2026
Great experience!
Geweldige ervaring!
What a dream destination! I had been looking for a cottage in the middle of the forest for years. You do have neighbors, but there is so much plot of land around the cottage that you still feel like you are in nature by yourself. It was chilly and rainy when we were there, but that didn't spoil the fun. The bathtub that you can pump yourself with groundwater and fire with wood, makes you warm up wonderfully. There are also sweet signs with tips and instructions scattered around and so I am already looking forward to the possible sauna in the garden. We definitely want to come back again!
Wat een droombestemming! Ik was al jaren op zoek naar een huisje midden in het bos. Je hebt wel buren, maar er zit zoveel perceel rondom het huisje dat je toch het gevoel hebt dat je in je eentje in de natuur waant. Het was fris en regenachtig toen we er waren, maar dat mocht de pret niet drukken. Het bad die je zelf kan pompen met grondwater en stoken met hout, zorgt ervoor dat je heerlijk opwarmt. Er staan ook lieve bordjes met tips en instructies verspreid en zo kijk ik nu al uit naar de mogelijke sauna in de tuin. Wij willen zeker nog eens terugkomen!
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ElsMarch 6, 2026
The location is really ideal.on the edge of a sandy plain with the cottage in the woods. Security with an open feeling. There was a lot of peace and quiet. Even the small planes that sometimes departed from the airport a little further away could not disturb that peace for us.We made beautiful walks. Enjoyed the various landscapes. Sometimes we felt as if we were far away on a journey. The sun was a nice bonus.
De ligging is echt ideaal.aan de rand van een zandvlakte met het huisje in het bos. Geborgenheid met een open gevoel. Er was heel veel rust en stilte. Zelfs de kleine vliegtuigjes die soms van het vliegveldje ietsje verderop vertrokken konden voor ons die rust niet verstoren.
We maakten prachtige wandelingen. Genoten van de diverse landschappen. We waanden ons soms ver op reis. De zon was een mooie meevaller.One and all bliss. Slowing down, the actions of pumping water, warming up the cottage with the stove, peering through the window, sleeping in the silence, relaxing muscles after a long walk in the lovely bath, playing games, reading a book. Delightful, all of which succeed effortlessly because of the simplicity and coziness of the cottage. Just goes to show that modesty can give you so much.
Eén en al zaligheid. Het vertragen, de handelingen van water oppompen, huisje opwarmen met de kachel, turen door het raam, heerlijk slapen in de stilte, spieren ontspannen na een flinke wandeling in het heerlijke bad, spelletjes spelen, boekje lezen. Heerlijk.
Dit lukt allemaal moeiteloos door de eenvoud en de gezelligheid van het huisje.
Zo zie je maar dat bescheidenheid je zo veel kan geven.This text is automatically translated.
Good to know
- Check-in: 4:00 PM- 11:59 PM
- Check-out: 12:01 AM- 12:00 PM
- Contactless stay possible
Bath towels, Bed linen, Kitchen linen
- Out of respect for nature: silence between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
- Minimum age of main booker: 18 years.
- Smoking is not allowed in this nature house.
- No fireworks are allowed at this Nature House.
- No parties or events are allowed.
- This nature house is not suitable for groups of young people, students and sports teams.
- Waste separation is mandatory in this nature house.
Additional house rules are listed in the terms and conditions, when you place your booking.
38302
Sustainability
- Off grid or supplied with 100% renewable Energy
- Natural Insulation materials
- Separating waste (Glass, paper, plastic, food waste/organic)