Cross the Veluwe and the small-scale farmland from your holiday home in Voorthuizen

During your holiday in Voorthuizen, you won’t have to look far for enjoyable activities and nature explorations. Nearby attractions such as the Zeumeren recreation area and the Crafts and Toy Museum in Terschuur are perfect outings close to your holiday home in Voorthuizen. Staying on the edge of the Veluwe also means plenty of varied landscapes, from the sand drifts near Kootwijk to the farmland around Nijkerk. Wildlife spotting is another must-do activity—look out for European bison or the inevitable deer encounters at Wildpark Aardhuis in Hoog Soeren!

Visit the Old Crafts and Toy Museum from your holiday home in Voorthuizen

In Terschuur, near Barneveld, you’ll find an award-winning museum that is much more than a quick visit. With no fewer than 160 rooms, this museum showcases a corresponding number of traditional crafts! Step inside the shop of an old grocer, watch a stained-glass craftsman at work, or take a seat in a vintage classroom. After this educational experience, there’s also a separate toy museum, where you can see Meccano trains and windmills in action. Children will be fascinated by toys dating back to 1850 and the interactive displays that set them in motion. Older generations will feel a sense of nostalgia as they come across toys they once played with themselves.

Want to add another fun activity for the kids after the museum? Head to the Play Park & Corn Maze on the edge of Voorthuizen. Before the crops grow tall, children can enjoy pedal cars on an iron track, slide down from an airplane, or pedal forward in a gondola.

Plan a recreational day at Zeumeren Lake

The most popular place in Voorthuizen to relax is Zeumeren Lake! Unwind on the beach or the grassy sunbathing areas, or enjoy a refreshing drink after your swim at the waterfront Beach Club. Looking for more action after a lazy afternoon on the shore? Follow the example of waterskiers who zip across the lake behind an automated cable, or try your hand at mini-golf. Young children will love Treasure Island, an indoor and outdoor play paradise featuring climbing, clambering, and a mini go-kart track!

Climbing and sand sculptures in Garderen

After a day at Zeumeren Lake, you’ll quickly discover that the area around your holiday home in Voorthuizen has even more to offer! In the forests of Garderen, you can visit a climbing park full of thrilling activities. Test your balance on a beam, soar down a zipline, or even cycle between the trees at a height of 12 meters. After all this action, treat your eyes to the Sand Sculptures of Garderen! This indoor and outdoor exhibition is filled with stunning sand artworks, inspired by a new theme each year.

Spot bison at Kootwijk from your holiday home in Voorthuizen

On the Veluwe near Kootwijk, there is a protected reserve for European bison that can only be visited on an excursion. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll get the chance to see these animals up close and feel the true wilderness of the Veluwe. The electric fencing that keeps the bison in does not prevent other animals from roaming freely—deer easily leap over it, and badgers burrow underneath. Bookings for the excursions are easy to make at wisentopdeveluwe.nl. Tours run daily, so you can decide spontaneously to join a walk with a bison guide.

Wildpark Aardhuis in Hoog Soeren

In Hoog Soeren, you’ll find a remarkably large chalet by Dutch standards, once used by the royal family as a hunting lodge. Today, it serves as an educational center about Kroondomein Het Loo and a popular woodland café. The visitor center is free to enter, but there’s a small fee for walking through the Aardhuis park. On the short 3-kilometer trail, you have an excellent chance of spotting wildlife during the right season and time of day. Don’t miss the observation point—especially in the early morning or evening, it’s a great spot to see deer!

Kruishaarderpad walking route near Nijkerk

Voorthuizen is not only a great base for Veluwe hikes. To the west, you can also enjoy varied walks through the farmland and meadows. Follow the Kruishaarderpad route from Nijkerk and wander through the picturesque countryside with hedgerows and tree-lined paths. Tip: start your walk at Gasterij de Roode Schuur on the edge of town instead of at the station, so you can skip the less scenic urban section. Combine your hike with a visit to Salentijn Estate, where you can stroll past a lily-filled pond and enjoy a drink at the terrace behind the white castle.

Klein Bylaer Estate

If you want to immerse yourself further in nature around Voorthuizen, don’t miss Klein Bylaer Estate near Barneveld. From the parking area on Kallenbroekerweg, hiking and cycling trails lead you through a landscape with rare plants such as sundew, a carnivorous species. The trail also offers a beautiful mix of cultivated land, forest, heath, and small ponds. Hedgerows reflect the cultural history of the estate, and you may encounter roe deer in their natural habitat. Despite its elevated position, the heath is quite marshy due to groundwater pools scattered throughout the area.

Rent a holiday home in Voorthuizen

When you stay in a holiday home in Voorthuizen, you’ll find something new to enjoy every day! From a nostalgic museum to waterskiing at Zeumeren Lake and climbing adventures in Garderen. Nature lovers will also be spoiled with diverse landscapes—one day cycling across the Veluwe, the next walking through the farmland of Nijkerk. Want to experience true wilderness? Spend a morning spotting roe deer at Klein Bylaer Estate, join a bison excursion, or watch deer in the evening forests of Hoog Soeren!