De Eekhoeve, located in Veenendaal, is a long-standing farm, family-run since 1943, offering a diverse range of experiences. It encompasses a farm shop, a cozy tea house named “Bij Kees & Sien,” a care farm, and expansive picking gardens.
Visitors have the opportunity to pick their own fresh produce and flowers directly from the gardens. The self-picking options available include:
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Herbs
- Flowers, allowing guests to create their own field bouquets, with over 100 varieties of dahlias blooming in the summer months.
Beyond the self-picking experience, the farm shop provides a selection of local and artisanal products such as farm cheese, honey, fresh beef from their Hereford cows, local pork, barn eggs, and their unique “Veens Kaatje” (a local egg liqueur). The tea house offers a relaxed setting for coffee, homemade apple pie, lunches, and high teas, featuring a child-friendly menu and a nearby playground. The farm also provides various activities for all ages, including an exploration route with a treasure hunt, and opportunities to meet farm animals like cows, donkeys, sheep, Indian runner ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs, and squirrels. Workshops, such as flower arranging, and interactive games are also part of the program. Additionally, De Eekhoeve operates a care farm that supports adults and seniors through day activities focused on animal care and gardening, and offers catering services along with custom gift and Christmas packages for both private and corporate clients.
The farm shop, vegetable garden, and picking garden are open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00, while the tea house operates Tuesday to Saturday during the same hours.
What visitors say
This self-picking farm and garden presents a multi-faceted experience, widely regarded as a charming destination for both families and individuals seeking a relaxing outing. Visitors consistently highlight the varied attractions, which include engaging farm animals like cows, goats, and donkeys, along with a dedicated playground equipped with trampolines and sandboxes, making it an ideal spot for children’s entertainment and education. The pick-your-own garden, offering seasonal vegetables, fruits, and a diverse array of flowers such as dahlias, is a popular activity that also serves an educational purpose.
The on-site “Landwinkel” (farm shop) garners significant praise for its extensive selection of high-quality local and regional products. Customers appreciate the fresh cheese (with fenugreek cheese being a particular favorite), meat, dairy, delicious homemade chocolates, and baked goods, often finding it an excellent source for unique gifts and specialty items like the “Veens Kaatje” pastry. While the shop is celebrated for its offerings, some customers do note that prices can be on the higher side.
Connected to the shop, the tea house offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere, particularly its beautiful outdoor terrace which provides serene views. Reviews for the tea house are mixed: many commend the friendly staff, delicious lunches, and homemade cakes, with the high tea being a popular and often well-received option. However, recurring criticisms point to slow service, long waiting times for orders, and instances of inconsistent food quality, such as watery soup or stale baked goods. Portions, especially for some lunch platters, are occasionally deemed too small for the price.
The establishment also functions as a care farm, providing a valuable daily program for individuals with disabilities and seniors, a commendable aspect frequently acknowledged by visitors. Despite its overall charm and positive contributions, some practical concerns arise regarding the external location and cleanliness of the toilets, occasional untidiness in certain farm areas, and, in one notable instance, questions about animal welfare concerning rabbit enclosures. There have also been isolated reports of specific activities, like a ‘yoga with cows’ class, not meeting expectations, and the children’s treasure hunt being perceived as overpriced for its value.