Boerderij de Kikkershoek is a family-run farm and farm shop located in Mijnsheerenland, in the Hoeksche Waard region of the Netherlands. The farm offers a wide variety of fresh, local, and seasonal produce, including self-picked apples and pears. Visitors can make an appointment to pick their own fruit directly from the orchard.
The farm shop stocks a broad range of products, many of which are grown or produced on the farm itself. These include self-grown potatoes and fruit, fresh seasonal vegetables, homemade jam and stewed pears, eggs, dairy products, fruit juices, and farm ice cream. Local and regional specialties, such as honey, dairy from De Westplaat and Ambachtshoeve (including milk, yogurt, buttermilk, kefir, and vla), fresh farm fries, and gift baskets, are also available. Additionally, grass-fed beef and game meat are offered seasonally.
Beyond the farm shop and self-picking, the farm provides various activities and outings for all ages. These include a children’s play area with pedal tractors and go-karts (free with a €5.00 purchase and available for a small fee otherwise), boerengolf (farm golf), poldersport courses, canoeing, archery, treasure hunts, and team-building activities. The farm also hosts children’s birthday parties and offers educational programs for schools. A webshop is available for pre-ordering, with collection from the farm shop.
Opening Hours (Farm Shop):
- Monday to Thursday: 14:00 - 18:00
- Friday: 09:00 - 18:00
- Saturday: 09:00 - 16:00
- Sunday: Closed
The farm is closed annually from December 25th through January 9th. The farm is operational year-round, with the self-picking season for apples and pears occurring in the autumn. Other activities, like poldersport and boerengolf, are offered during the summer and in good weather.
What visitors say
This self-picking farm and its accompanying shop are widely appreciated for offering an authentic, cozy experience with a strong focus on fresh, local produce. Visitors frequently laud the friendly and helpful staff, who contribute to a pleasant atmosphere.
The farm is particularly popular for its self-picking opportunities, including apples, pears, and cherries, which are described as a delightful and inexpensive activity for families and children. These experiences often extend to educational activities such as apple peeling and applesauce making, guided tours about fruit growth, scavenger hunts, and farmer’s golf. The venue is also a favored spot for children’s parties, family outings, and even corporate events, with organizers receiving accolades for creating memorable experiences. Beyond picking, the farm shop offers a broad selection of delicious, high-quality, and often organic products like their own apples, pears, potatoes, diverse vegetables, fruit, apple juice, eggs, meat, and jam, generally found to be reasonably priced. The location is easy to reach by car, offering ample parking.
However, the experience is not universally positive. Some visitors have raised concerns about hygiene, specifically citing an “extremely dirty chicken coop” and questioning animal welfare practices given the sale of edible products. A notable number of reviews also detail distressing incidents of perceived discrimination during cherry-picking, where individuals with a “migration background” reported feeling unwelcome, being unfairly restricted to lower-quality produce, and even accused of theft at checkout, leading to feelings of insult and humiliation. Other criticisms include instances of unfriendly staff, a general impression of an “old and dusty” environment, strict enforcement of picking area limitations, and occasional long waiting times.
Despite these varied experiences, the farm typically leaves a positive impression, celebrated as a valuable local establishment offering fresh produce and engaging activities, making it a recurring destination for many.