At Fruitbedrijf Horstink in Rha, near Steenderen, you pick your own apples, pears, plums and cherries. The main season runs from early September to late October, with plums and early cherries ready in July and August. The farm grows over a dozen apple varieties, including Elstar, Jonagold, Goudreinet and Golden Delicious, and several pear varieties such as Conference and Doyenne du Comice. Plums and cherries are available in smaller quantities.
Picking takes place during the annual Plukdagen, held on the first weekend of September. You walk through the orchard, pick the fruit yourself and pay by weight at the farm shop. The farm provides guidance on which trees to pick from and how to do it. Bring your own basket or container. Children can ride a small train through the orchard, and there is a large sandpit and play area.
The farm shop is open year-round, Tuesday to Friday from 09.00 to 18.00 and Saturday from 09.00 to 16.00. It sells the farm’s own fruit, juices, ciders, jams and apple syrup, as well as vegetables, cheese, meat, dairy and other local products. In summer, the farm’s terrace serves coffee, homemade apple cake, sandwiches and cider with a view of the orchard.
The Horstink family has run the farm for four generations. They also produce cider from their own apples and pears, which you can taste and buy at the farm. During the blossom season in April, a marked walking route leads through the orchard. The farm hosts a cider festival in mid-August, featuring tastings and live music.
What visitors say
The farm is known for its wide variety of fresh produce, especially fruit from its own orchards—apples, pears, cherries, and plums are often mentioned. Visitors pick their own during seasonal events like the self-pick days, which many describe as well-organised and enjoyable, with activities for children such as tractor rides, a sandpit, and a bouncy castle. The farm shop is spacious and well-stocked, offering not just fruit and vegetables but also dairy, nuts, homemade salads, and local products like cheese and cider. Most find the quality high and the staff friendly, though a few note that prices are on the steep side compared to supermarkets.
The outdoor seating area with coffee and snacks is a popular spot to relax after picking, and the setting—overlooking the orchards—is often called pleasant. Some visitors feel the farm could be more competitive on price, but others say the freshness and experience justify the cost. A handful of reviews mention minor disappointments, like limited availability of certain fruits later in the season or a less-than-perfect lunch, but these are exceptions.