Geertje’s Hoeve is a working farm and family-friendly attraction in Haarzuilens, Utrecht, where visitors can experience farm life firsthand. The farm is home to goats, pigs, and other animals, and features an on-site cheese-making operation, a farm shop, and a lunch restaurant. Self-picking of produce is a key activity. Visitors can pick their own bouquets of flowers from the farm’s fields. This is available on Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:00 and Sundays from 11:00 to 13:00 during the months of July, August, and September. As a group activity, flower picking is available from June through October. The farm shop also sells a variety of produce grown on the farm, including potatoes, courgettes (zucchini) harvested from July to mid-October, and a wide range of pumpkins available from September. The farm is open year-round, with the following general hours: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00, and Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00. Please note that from the autumn school holiday (starting October 26, 2025) through the spring school holiday (ending February 14, 2026), the farm is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The farm is closed on King’s Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, but is open on all other public holidays, though hours may vary. It has been voted the “Leukste Uitje van Utrecht 2026” (Best Day Out in Utrecht 2026). Payment can be made by pin pass or contactless mobile payment. The farm is wheelchair accessible, with a designated parking space, entrance, and toilet. Free street parking is available, and the site is suitable for children.
What visitors say
Geertjes Hoeve is widely regarded as a fantastic family outing, particularly appealing to those with young children. The farm offers engaging opportunities for animal interaction, where visitors can feed and pet a variety of animals, most notably the many goats and their young, as well as pigs, chickens, peacocks, and ponies. Beyond animal encounters, a range of play options, including a popular hay barn for climbing, sandpits, and numerous ride-on vehicles like tractors and bikes, keeps children entertained for hours. Educational activities like cheese-making workshops and witnessing animal births further enrich the experience.
Amenities include a welcoming restaurant and cafe known for its hearty pancakes, cheesecakes, and ice cream, often prepared with fresh, local ingredients from the farm. A well-stocked farm shop also provides a diverse selection of regional products, from various cheeses and meats to honey. While entry to the farm itself is free, a common highlight for many, visitors should anticipate costs for parking and on-site food and drink consumption.
However, the experience is not without its drawbacks. Many visitors point to the deteriorating condition of the play equipment, with numerous bikes and other structures reportedly in need of repair or replacement. Pricing for certain items, such as goat milk bottles and cafe offerings, is frequently considered expensive, especially when coupled with mandatory paid parking. Concerns about animal welfare are also raised by a significant minority, citing young animals in crowded, unsupervised enclosures, constant exposure to noise and rough handling by children, and inadequate conditions for some animals, including ponies and pigs. Instances of lukewarm coffee, undercooked food, and occasional service inconsistencies are also mentioned. Despite these issues, the farm’s popularity endures as a lively and generally enjoyable destination, particularly for its direct and accessible connection to farm life.