Boerenrustcamping “De Kermisrose” and Theetuin “De Stokroos” is a combined tea garden and campsite located on a working farm in Nieuwerkerk, Zeeland. The property offers a peaceful setting in the polder, with views of the surrounding countryside and proximity to the Dijkwater nature reserve. It serves as a destination for relaxation, dining, and overnight stays in unique accommodations. The site is known for its sustainable practices, including solar energy generation, on-site water filtration, and sourcing local ingredients. The on-site farm grows crops and raises livestock, which are used in the tea garden’s kitchen.
As a self-picking farm, seasonal produce can be harvested directly from the fields. Products available for self-picking include a variety of fruits and vegetables, with the exact selection depending on the growing season. Guests can pick their own during the warmer months, typically from spring through early autumn.
The tea garden (Theetuin) is open for dining and refreshments and serves homemade cakes, lunches, and dinners. Menu offerings include fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, pancakes, and main dishes featuring regional specialties. High tea and high wine are available by reservation.
Business hours for the tea garden are:
- Monday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (open from 9:00 AM on Easter Monday)
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The campsite operates from spring through autumn, with the tea garden opening for the season on April 3rd. The property offers 12 camping pitches, each with private sanitary facilities, as well as a variety of unique accommodations including a vintage caravan, an English double-decker bus, two Finnish kota cabins, two pipowagens, and a retro city bus. Amenities include free Wi-Fi throughout the campsite, a children’s playground, pony riding (on Saturday and Wednesday mornings during high season), and a jacuzzi available for rent. Dogs are welcome free of charge (maximum two per pitch) and must be kept on a lead.
The site is wheelchair accessible, with accessible parking and entrance. Free on-street and on-site parking is available. There are public, gender-neutral toilets and picnic tables. A barbecue area is available, and the property features a small playground with swings and slides. Cashless payments, including contactless mobile payments and credit cards, are accepted. The environment is described as LGBTQ+ friendly.
The farm and campsite are committed to sustainability. Renewable energy is generated on-site, waste is separated and managed to minimize CO2 emissions, and organic, plastic-free toiletries are provided for guests. Agricultural practices include minimal use of crop protection products and fertilizers, and biodiversity is supported through flower-rich field margins that also help protect nearby water quality.
What visitors say
This delightful destination, operating as both a farm campsite and a charming tea garden, consistently earns high praise for its tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. Visitors frequently commend the friendly and hospitable owners and staff, who cultivate a cozy, almost romantic ambiance with numerous inviting seating areas nestled within a beautifully maintained garden, some even described as “hidden corners.”
The culinary offerings are a major highlight, with guests raving about the delicious homemade cakes—the apple pie and strawberry tart being particular favorites—as well as the excellent coffee, teas (including ginger tea), and other meals like fresh tomato soup and pancakes. The food is generally considered wholesome, tasty, and reasonably priced, although a couple of isolated comments mention perceived high prices or specific items being dry or selling out quickly.
For families, the location is a paradise. It’s notably child-friendly, featuring a fantastic playground and a variety of farm animals such as ponies, chickens, geese, pot-bellied pigs, and rabbits, offering children unique experiences like pony rides and collecting fresh eggs.
Accommodation options are diverse, ranging from spacious camping pitches to unique stays in shepherd’s huts (pipowagen), Finnish Kotas, or even a converted English bus. A standout feature for campers is the clean and convenient private sanitary facilities. While one reviewer noted that a newer camping section lacked mature natural screening for privacy, this was a minor point in an otherwise overwhelmingly positive experience.
Overall, guests cherish this spot as a wonderful escape, perfect for unwinding, enjoying quality food and drink, and providing ample entertainment for children. Despite a few rare criticisms regarding service speed or isolated incidents, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many considering it a “well-kept secret” on Schouwen-Duiveland and enthusiastically planning return visits.