De Woerdt is a family-run fruit farm established in 1977, nestled in Ressen, a charming village in the Betuwe region of the Netherlands, between the cities of Arnhem and Nijmegen. The farm spans over twenty hectares of orchards, where it cultivates a diverse range of fruits.
The produce grown on the farm includes approximately twelve varieties of apples, such as James Grieve, Elstar, and Jonagold, along with pear varieties like Conference, Doyenné du Comice, and the stewing pear Gieser Wildeman. Additionally, De Woerdt grows cherries, morello cherries, plums, and walnuts.
Visitors can explore the farm’s modern Landwinkel (farm shop), which offers fresh fruits from their own orchards year-round, alongside various fruit-based products like jams, juices, ciders, and a selection of regional delicacies. The farm also features a welcoming Boerderijterras (farmhouse terrace), where guests can enjoy coffee, homemade apple pie, lunch, or a full High Tea. Picnic arrangements are also available for enjoying meals amidst the orchards.
For those interested in a more interactive experience, De Woerdt organizes special picking days, allowing visitors to self-pick apples and pears directly from the trees. The farm also provides educational excursions and tastings, offers comfortable meeting and event accommodations, and has camper pitches available for overnight stays among the fruit trees. Gift packages, fruit baskets, and office fruit delivery services are also offered.
What visitors say
This charming self-picking farm and garden consistently receives high marks from visitors, celebrated for its diverse offerings and appealing atmosphere. The farm shop is a particular highlight, praised for its extensive selection of fresh, high-quality local and regional produce, including a wide array of apples and pears from their own orchards, vegetables, artisanal cheeses, dairy products, baked goods, nuts, chocolates, and homemade juices. Many customers appreciate it as an excellent source for everyday fresh ingredients and unique gift baskets, often commending the friendly and helpful staff.
The adjoining farm restaurant and cafe also garners praise, described as a pleasant and cozy spot, often highlighted for its beautiful conservatory-style terrace. Guests enjoy delicious lunches, high teas, and coffee accompanied by homemade cakes and apple/pear specialties. The menu is generally well-received for its tasty dishes, with unique options like vegetarian celeriac shoarma and satisfying club sandwiches. The location itself serves as an ideal starting or ending point for scenic cycling and walking routes, adding to its appeal.
For families, the farm provides engaging activities such as self-picking apples, opportunities to see farm animals, and tractor train rides, ensuring a fun experience for children. Enthusiasts of motorhome travel commend the spacious and tranquil pitches, often nestled directly within the fruit orchards. These spots come equipped with essential facilities like electricity, water, and waste disposal, and visitors note the clean and well-maintained sanitary amenities, making it a comfortable base for exploring nearby cities like Nijmegen and Arnhem by bike.
While the overall impression is overwhelmingly positive, a few minor concerns emerged. Some guests noted that prices, particularly in the shop and cafe, could be quite high, with a few questioning the ’local’ or ‘organic’ authenticity of certain products, citing examples like imported spinach or milk in plastic bottles (though the owner clarified their use of recycled plastic and organic wholesale sourcing). Furthermore, service in the restaurant occasionally received criticism for being slow, disorganized, or having limited menu availability, and one visitor encountered burnt meat in a salad. A notable point of contention for some was the unannounced policy against dogs inside, causing disappointment for pet owners. Challenges with muddy parking and less convenient waste disposal for motorhomes were also mentioned, yet these points generally do not detract significantly from the widespread positive reception for the farm’s fresh produce, welcoming ambiance, and diverse activities.