Landwinkel Oude Stoof in Hengstdijk is a pick-your-own fruit farm where visitors can harvest apples and pears directly from the orchard. The main picking season runs from late August to early October, with specific dates announced each year. In August, Delcorf apples and Triomphe pears are available, while September brings a wider variety, including Elstar, Jonagold, Jonagored, Goudreinette and Golden Delicious apples, as well as Conference and Doyenné du Comice pears and Gieser Wildemann and Saint Rémy cooking pears.
Picking starts at 10.30 on Saturdays, with no need to book in advance. The fruit is sold by weight at €1.25 per kilo. Visitors are advised to wear sturdy shoes, as the orchard paths can be uneven. After picking, there is an opportunity to enjoy coffee, tea or apple juice with a snack at the farm.
The farm also operates a year-round shop selling its own fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, eggs and regional products, including cheese, apple juice and gift baskets. The shop is open Tuesday to Friday from 09.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 18.00, and on Saturdays from 09.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 16.00. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
In addition to the orchard and shop, Landwinkel Oude Stoof offers camper pitches and holiday chalets on site, set among the pear trees. The farm occasionally hosts events such as pruning workshops and guided orchard walks.
What visitors say
Visitors come for the fresh, locally grown produce—fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, and even mussels on certain days. The farm shop is well-stocked, with everything from the land sold directly to customers. Most describe the quality as excellent, though one recent review found the “Too Good To Go” produce often spoiled. The owners are generally welcoming, though a few have found the staff abrupt, especially when enforcing rules like no dogs inside.
Picking is straightforward, though the farm prefers customers don’t handle the produce themselves—staff select it to ensure quality. The small cabins are cosy for couples or families with young children but can feel cramped for larger groups. The surrounding area is quiet, with good walking and cycling routes, and the facilities are clean. Some return year after year, while others leave disappointed by specific interactions.