The natural gems of Drenthe

Flora

The forests in the Drents-Friese are mainly cultivated and dense, consisting of a massive part of conifers. The places with barren land like Berkenheuvel and the northern Kale Duinen are vast Scots pine and craw berry forests. The areas with craw berries are pretty unique. In regions with richer soil, there are oak-beech forests with rich nutrient values. Some coniferous forest species, like creeping lady's tresses, little evergreen, twinflower, and stiff club moss, can be found in the coniferous forestry of Smilde and Appelscha. In places with slightly richer soil, species like the May lily, multi-flowered Solomon's seal, common holly, arctic starflower, hellebore, and oak fern flourish quickly. The Appelscha forestry also has a rich supply of mushrooms.

In the damp places in heathlands, bell heather, bog gentian, common cotton grass, shore weed, bog asphodel, spotted heath orchids, oblong and round-leaved sundew can be found. Heathers, woodrush, harebell, wild thyme, lousewort, and the rare arnica Montana grow in higher sand grounds. Moreover, three different club moss types: Marsh club moss, running club moss, and cypress spurge. The shifting sands are famous for plants like pearlwort spurrey, shepherd's cress, and different moss and lichens types.

Round fens, heather species, bell heather, crowberry, common heather are found, and fen berry species and plants like many-stalked spike-rush, cranberry, lavender heather, bladder worth, and sometimes, bur-reed are also seen in woods. There is a solitary place in the Smilde forestry where the bog bilberry grows, and it is a scarce species found in the Netherlands.

Fauna

The diversity in landscape types and plant growth has enriched the animal realm. Mainly birds are found here. Forest birds, grassland birds, and swamp birds are flying here and there every time.

Heath, fens, shifting sands, and well-developed forests appear to be significant for bird habitat. In open sand areas, the woodlark and the tawny pipit can be easily found. The rare nightjar is also seen many times in the transition area towards the forests. Waders like the black-tailed godwit, redshank love these areas during migration, and these species sometimes also breed in these areas. Rough terrains with rugged bushes serve as the breeding grounds for the very rare red-backed shrike. Open water fens are used for breeding by the black tern, the black-necked grebe, the little grebe, the common teal, and others, while the marsh harrier uses the waterside area for breeding; that's why they are abundant there. The extensive forests are an excellent habitat for prey, owls, honey buzzard, common buzzard, hawk, sparrow hawk, and barn owl.

Moreover, five different types of woodpeckers have been spotted in the forests too. Other birds like Red Poll, hawfinch, nightingale, and crossbill are also found in the woods. The forests are of great value for many typical birds like the coal tit, flycatcher, greenfinch warbler. During migration, the Drents-Friese Wold is inhibited by several bird species. The bean goose and birds of prey like the hen harrier and the peregrine falcon love this place.

Fun things to do in Drenthe

Despite the relatively small area of Drenthe, there is a clear difference in types of landscapes. The middle of the province, the 'old Drenthe', is characterized by green villages, heathlands and brook valleys where sheep herds are still regularly seen. The lower parts of the province are formed by peat bogs, which were mined for peat extraction until the middle of the last century. Animals that feel at home on the Drenthe heath include the ring snake, peat butterfly, salamander, hawk, Scottish highlander and roe deer.

In Drenthe you won't find many big cities. Small, cozy (green) villages are abundant. The largest and most noteworthy cities in the province are Assen, Emmen, Hoogeveen and Meppel. Here you can visit the TT-circuit, the Drents Museum, the Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen and - for lovers of history and history - the Remembrance Centre at Camp Westerbork. For lovers of cycling and hiking there is also plenty to do in Drenthe. Throughout the province are well paved routes, also for mountain bikers and riders.

In the 19th century many canals were built in Drenthe, because the rivers and streams were too narrow for the canal and for the removal of peat. Nowadays these canals are mainly used for fishing and for canoeing and boating. Sometimes this is even possible directly from your holiday home or holiday park! Going out with the children? Then visit a sheepfold or climb the lookout towers in one of the three national parks.

What you can't miss in Drenthe

Despite the small area of Drenthe, there is a massive difference in types of picturesque sights. The central region of the province 'Old Drenthe' is famous for green villages, heathlands, and brook valleys, where sheep herds are seen very often. The lower parts of the province are formed by peat bogs, which were mined for peat extraction in the last century's more significant part. Animals inhabited on the Drenthe heath include the ring snake, peat butterfly, hawks, Scottish highlander, and roe deer.

Many canals were also built in Drenthe, mainly for the removal of peat. Nowadays, these canals are used primarily for fishing, canoeing, and boating. With no less than three National Parks, the province of Drenthe is the epitome of natural beauty. There is a lot to explore and visualize.

Drents-Friese Wold National Park

This untouched nature reserve is situated on the border of two provinces: Drenthe and Friesland. Forests, heathlands, and drifting sand areas cover a large part of the area. Because of this wide variety of landscape, many animal species have now made the Drents-Friese their home. Examples are the stone marten, the vulture, the raven, the viviparous lizard, and the viper. In Appelscha and Diever there is an information center for tourists which provides a good idea from where to explore the Drents-Friese Wold, and you can find all sorts of information about cycling routes and places of you love, such as a secluded place from WW2.

Dwingelderveld National Park

As the Dwingelderveld is the largest wet heathland region in West Europe and centuries-old cart trails can be found, it was declared a Natura 2000 area. Various grazers are used to keep the vegetation in check in the huge heathland and around many fens. Many sheep herds, traditional Dutch cows, and impressive Scottish highlanders can also be seen more often. Like the Drents-Friese Wold, the Dwingelderveld National Park also has a tourist center of entertaining visitors from all over the world. This center is situated near Ruinen and is governed by Natuurmonumenten.

Drentsche Aa National Park

This third largest National Park in the Netherlands is probably the most notable one in terms of scenery. This stunning destination is not all about Nature and about a well-known agricultural region with beautiful life quality. Because of the preserved historical value of the landscape in this area, the protection of Nature and culture are given equal attention.

Places in Drenthe

Frederiksoord

Frederiksoord is a town in the situated about 24 km northwest of Hoogeveen in Drenthe. It is a part of the municipal constituency of Westerveld, and the headquarters of the Society of Humanitarianism is located here since the 19th century. In 2001, the town of Frederiksoord had a population of 254. The town's overall area was 0.24 square kilometers, and now the "Frederiksoord" and the surrounding area has a population of around 370 and is the best solitary place.

Norg

Norg is a small and old village in the northeastern Netherlands. It is situated in Noordenveld, Drenthe. As of research done in 2008, Norg had a population of 3737 compared to a population of 3840 as of 2004. Written records refer to a Nurch or Norch in the area. The well-known ancient buildings of a settlement in the area date from 650 to 750 BC. The famous monument from the 13th century is a Romanesque church on the brink of a saddle-roof tower. Norg has five brinks and two windmills. One of these is Noordenveld, a corn mill and was built in 1878, and the other one is De Hoop, which is the only windmill in the Netherlands with Bilau sails.

Uitkijktoren Aekingerbroek

It is the best place to visit for adventure enthusiasts. There are plenty of hiking options available. The towers here overlook the Aekingerbroek marsh area, which is the origin of the Vledder Aa. In the 19th century, this stream was straightened and deepened for agricultural needs. Today the stream has been restored to its original meandering state, and Nature is once again scrambling up.

Echten

In Echten, there are plenty of rugged terrains and tracks to walk upon. From the beginning of the nineteenth century, Drenthe is still an isolated area with many wastelands. Still, it's a populated and a developed region now, and the isolation of Drenthe was finally broken in the twentieth century. In addition to traditional small-scale farming, some larger companies are here doing mining works.

De Wachter windmill

Molenmuseum De Wachter, located in Drenthe province, is an operating windmill that is also a well-known museum. Dating to 1851, it includes three different mills for grain, oil, and spices. Just the smell of the old wood combined with linseed oil is worth a visit! And if you visit the place in season, you can see demonstrations of old trades: a clog maker, a woodturner, a baker, a shoemaker, and a blacksmith. A steam engine museum includes many steam-driven vehicles, and various old-fashioned shops sell bakery items, spices, and other items.

Wildlands Adventure Zoo

Wildlands's quite well-known and popular destination especially to visit with children. It used to be the Emmen Zoo, a pretty old zoo. It is expanded and reopened as Wildland and Visitors enjoy "Jungola" on a boat ride and "Serenga" from a truck, and children have many opportunities for amusement and adventure.

Orvelte

These small farmhouses in the province of Drenthe serve both as a village and a museum. You can roam around to enjoy the picturesque scenery, but it's also worth paying the nominal fee to see the beautiful museum. There are various opportunities to shop as well: a glassblower, an artist's studio, different gift shops, and so on. There is also a petting zoo, Zoo Bizar, a habitat for small animals, and the toy truck museum. The horse-drawn carriage is also an attraction for tourists here. You can also take a town tour on weekends in the summer and every day during school vacations.

Greenery in the Netherlands

Drenthe is a part of the Netherlands extended from east to the west up to 60 km. West extension of From north to south it is about 50 km. The largest cities here are Emmen and Assen. Drenthe is one of the coldest regions in the Netherlands, with an average daily high temperature of only 14 degrees centigrade. The climate widely corresponds to Central European weather conditions. It is cold, wet throughout the year, but there are few months in summer when the weather gets pleasant. It rarely gets hot here, and you can safely leave your swimwear at home. Nearly unattractive for tourists are the cold months from November to March. In our cottages in Drenthe, you can have a perfect time, and there is not much to worry about as we have all the facilities available here.

Stay in a nature house in Drenthe

If you are renting a cottage in Drenthe, you have a wide range of various types of accommodations to choose from. There are simple log cabins and ancient farmhouses in Drenthe; tree houses and bungalows are abundant in this province. And how about spending the night in an authentic sod hut? Plaggenhutten is a triangular-shaped house and their roof is covered with heather flags, leather, roof tiles, or reed which are best for night stay. This kind of accommodation is pretty old. In the past, sod huts were inhabited by the most impoverished peat workers in Drenthe, Friesland, and Overijssel. Still, today these huts offer a distinctive and adventurous form of holiday destination.

On our website, you can choose from a total of over 700-holiday homes and cottages in Drenthe. Whether you want to stay in a forest house, wake up in the countryside or spend the night at the edge of a pond, it's all possible here as Drenthe is a versatile holiday destination with on the one hand beautiful nature for walking or cycling to enjoy, and on the other hand, the cultural history where scattered throughout the province many attractions still remind the visitors the history of this place. Sometimes this is even possible directly from your holiday home or holiday park. Are you going out with the children? Then visit a sheepfold or climb the lookout towers in one of the three national parks.