The Netherlands by ferry

[citrusfruit1]

Has anyone been to The Netherlands by boat? We are quite unadventurous when it comes to holidays, kids (9 and 6) are very used to centerparcs. Has anyone done centerparcs in NL? Reviews don’t look too great. Also looking at Hof van Saksen which looks lovely but quite a drive, we would do the Harwich to Hook of Holland crossing. Anyone been to any of these or have any other good suggestions that aren’t too far to drive once we get to NL?

We’ve been twice with the kids. Once flew to Amsterdam then used public transport and once with ferry. It’s so handy having a car once you’re there. Check out Little Clogs website. They have lots of information about different accommodation depending on ages of kids/activities.
In 2022 we went to Duinrell which we loved, and there’s loads to do around the park as well as the facilities there. Last year we had 3 nights at Efteling then a week at a Landal park half an hour from Gouda. Again, great location for day trips.

We went with the kids 9 and 7 last year. Loved it.
stayed a week at a Landal site near Gouda, nice town and you can get to The Hague, Utrecht and Amsterdam easily.
Look at Landal website- great alternative to center parcs and they have loads of sites

then spent three days at Efteling. You must go to Efteling.

we got the Harwich to Hoek ferry. Overnight on the way which was great. Took the day boat back which I wouldn’t do again as it took ages, was late, and then had to drive 6 hours home the other end (obv that might not be true for you)

Oh and we didn’t stay but many mnetters recommend staying at Duinrell. We didn’t stay but did go and spend a day at the water park there which is comparable to center parcs (not quite as nice but lots of slides). It’s within an hour of Hoek.

This is the Landal site we stayed in but there are many. Happy to help with any Neth related questions. We loved it and will go back.
https://www.landal.com/parks/de-reeuwijkse-plassen#filter:eyJzIjoiMyJ9

We got the ferry from North Shields to the Netherlands and stayed in De Eemhoff Center Parcs. We then drove to Amsterdam and stayed there for a few nights before driving back to the ferry for the return journey with a few other stop offs.

The Center Parcs was good for us but our kids were a bit older than yours and into water sports/ high ropes etc. We paid extra for VIP accommodation and I'd recommend doing that because it's so much cheaper anyway.

Look at Duinrell.. we have been several times with our boys. It's 30 minutes drive from Hook of Holland. Loads to do on site, the theme park is free but you pay for the pools (indoor has numerous water slides).

You can book direct with Duinrell or with Eurocamp.

😊

Thanks so much for all suggestions so far, will take a look through. I loved the look of the Landal park you mentioned @Clearinguptheclutter but I’m currently trying to make my 9 yr old understand that swimming pools without water slides exist 😂so that’s a bit of a stumbling block!

Ha. My kids actually loved that pool as I did as it was warm and clean but yeah no slides.
we made up for it with a day at Duinrell though where they basically did slides all day. There’s so much to see in Netherlands.

look up Madurodam. We went there straight off the boat.

and Efteling. Efteling. Efteling. Did I say Efteling? EFTELING

We were heading beyond the NL, but have done the overnight Harwich -Hook of Holland crossing twice. Fantastic experience every time. Drove off the ferry and got breakfast in Gouda/Delft.

There is a Facebook group all about EU Centerparcs for Brits- search Center Parcs Europe Just for Brits. Good resource for sharing information, tips, pictures, recommendations and reviews, am surprised you have seen negative ones and all very positive there. We just came back from de Vossemeren, which is on the Dutch/Belgian border. We went channel tunnel though.

I enjoyed it but have never been to a UK CP so can’t compare.

duinrell is nice and close to an amazing sandy beach. you can get there by public transport from hoek

Also the town where Duinrell is situated (Wassenaur) is also really lovely and unusually it's about a 2 min walk from the site so you have lots of options for food and drink and shopping.

the ferry is very pleasant.

if you go by day book a cabin anyway so you can sleep or watch tv.
switch off roaming on the ferry, it's very expensive.

Ah duinrell looks as though it is fully booked when we want to go. Looks like we can book 4 nights but not 7. I actually went there as a kid and think we will go once the kids are a little older as I remember the theme park and pool being quite wild! Thanks @TimeandMotion I’ll join the group, super helpful.

Agree give Duinrell a try. We drove from the Midlands to Harwich and then the long ferry. It is a lovely location, just a little clunky getting booked in with Euro camp and finding food after arriving a bit late. Lovely venue and location for kids that age.

Don’t bother with CP in the Netherlands- our experience is that they are a little shabby and crap. Go for a Landal park instead. Some have pools on site. Netherlands is a great place for your age kids - can cycle safely everywhere, nowhere is too far away, pancakes galore, clean safe beaches, lovely cute towns everywhere you go.

Greece/Spain it’s not but the Dutch are the best (blunt but kind!) - the only downside is the food as an adult - all a little bland but some fantastic fish/mussel places to be found if you look

Probably the nearest holiday park from the ferry is Roompot Kijkduin at the very western edge of The Hague. Much closer than Duinrell. Lovely beach, OK amenities including heated pool. I've has relatives stay and they were happy.

Youn could go for 4 nights then onto Efteling.

Another vote for Duinrell and Efteling. We’ve done it twice. If you book
direct with Duinrell the pool is included. The ferry is great. My DH hates frying so we ferry most years (Netherlands or Brittany/Normandy crossings). Kids love it and it’s part of the holiday. Loads of places to visit close to Duinrell and a lovely beach close by.

Thanks everyone, I’ll check out all the suggestions

We stayed here last year! Really enjoyed it.

We went from Hull to Rotterdam overnight, and the Landal site is only 50 mins or so from the port. So easy.

As has previously been mentioned, it's very well located. We went to Efteling but only for the day. My kids are a bit older and we focussed on the rides - and still managed to easily fill 10am to 8pm!

We're going a bit further this year. Hull to Rotterdam, then a 3.5 hour drive to the Eifel National Park in Germany near the Dutch/Belgian border.

As well as Landal, check out Dormio. Some of its accommodation is also on the Landal site, but there is more choice if you go direct to Dormio (think the two brands might be linked, but not sure).

@JoanThursday
so nice wasn’t it

yep agree you could do Efteling in a day if determined but we stayed for 2 nights (in a treehouse!) and had 2 and a bit days which was perfect for us. Also we were slightly off peak season so it closed at 6.

Been twice, stayed at CP Zaandvort and Port Zelande - the major difference for me is that CP in the UK is somewhere l wouldn't leave for the duration of my stay but in Holland, it is more of a base. Would def go again.

We've done it twice. Our kids really loved Duinrell and we enjoyed using it as a base to explore further afield.

I loved the Ferry crossing. We booked a quad day cabin and I spent the day reading , chilling and napping and the kids went to the on board cinema. A lovely way to travel!

We'd go back!

And it was so easy. An hour's drive to Hull, a nice meal and a couple of drinks, wake up for breakfast ... And less than an hour later we were in Gouda!

Not sure we'd go from Yorkshire to Cornwall ever again...