Camping De Roos

A zwembroek (if you’re a guy) or badpak (if you’re a girl – though what’s with the ‘bad’?) is an absolute must for a stay at Camping De Roos. Also known as bathers, swimmers, bathing suits, trunks or cozzies, unless you fancy a skinny-dip, these items are wardrobe essentials for a refreshing dunk in the River Vecht, which meanders through this sprawling campsite. So be sure you pack at least one or two.

Located within an area of outstanding natural beauty between the towns of Ommen and Beerze, the campsite occupies an expanse of sloping clearings surrounded by dense woodland, boasting friendly neighbours such as roe deer, nightingales and woodpeckers.

Despite the site’s capacity of 280 pitches the careful layout means you rarely get that unpleasant overcrowded sensation. The pitches are extremely roomy, and the undulating land scattered with trees, bushes and winding paths creates the illusion of a much smaller site, with more than enough room to go round. But if you’d rather a complete slice of countryside peace and quiet, two designated trekkersvelden are on hand to provide just the sanctuary you might be needing. Tucked away amidst the ground’s chunkier trees, they are exclusively reserved for anyone who’s come by bike or on foot. The site’s sensible ‘no-car’ policy, with vehicles only allowed onsite for unloading and loading, helps maintain that natural feel.

In fact, preserving the natural beauty of the site is a priority at Camping De Roos, as it’s a rare honour to be granted permission to run a campsite in a protected area. Timed showers and recycling bins, plus gentle requests not to pick the lovely flowers ensure the site remains as kind to its environment as possible. There’s also an onsite shop chock-full of healthy foods, planet-friendly cleaning unguents and the most local of local produce, of which ice cream made at a nearby farm is worth several return trips.

The merry tinkle of children’s laughter is a constant backdrop here, with the owners taking the term ‘child-friendly’ to a whole new level. It’s almost guaranteed you won’t hear the familiar ‘I’m borrrred’ when there’s a volleyball court, a football pitch, a kite- flying field, boules ground and dinghies dotted along the river bank; as well as a kiosk where kiddywinks (along with sweet- toothed mums and dads) can get their fill of tasty treats. Even on rainy days there’s plenty of indoor fun to be had. But the firm favourite has got to be the swimming opportunity, well...jumping into water and splashing around. The river’s tributary forms the ideal spot for a children’s pool – even boasting its own mini-beach – and when the weather’s fine they jump, dive and ‘bomb’ from its little pier.

The surrounding area is criss-crossed with cycle routes in the ‘river-dune’ landscape, formed at some point during the last ice age. You can hire bikes from the site, and a short pedal will find you plunged deep into wonderfully quiet woodland. Or if you’d like to dispense with wheels completely, the Vecht Valley walking path passes right through the campsite, covering a fair old trek of 441⁄2 miles (72 km) in total, taking in some top-of-the-range countryside.

This site’s enviable location means that, even with numerous amenities and kids’ activities on offer, it still exudes a tranquillity that can be hard to find at other European sites. And if it takes you a while to tune in to the country vibes, try floating along the cool river, with blue skies and fluffy clouds above and grassy banks on either side, to enjoy a bit of Mother Nature at her finest.