U-pick farm Vriend Aardbeien

Vriend Aardbeien is a family-run strawberry farm located in Benningbroek, with over 50 years of experience in strawberry cultivation. The farm grows and sells strawberries, along with regional products available in their on-site farm shop. The strawberry season runs from mid-April to the end of December. Self-picking days are organized in October; registration for these begins on September 1st. Large groups of 25 or more can request a visit at other times.

The farm shop is open for sales Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00, and Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. Additional sales points include Intratuin Hoorn, Sprookjeswonderland, Andijk Zorghvlietplein, and Wognum Boogerdplein, with varying hours depending on the location and season. The farm is wheelchair accessible, offers free on-site parking, and accepts credit cards, debit cards, and contactless mobile payments.

What visitors say

Visitors consistently rave about the exceptionally delicious strawberries, frequently described as incredibly sweet, juicy, and far superior to those found in supermarkets. Many customers gladly make a special trip or consider the journey well worth it for these high-quality berries, with some even calling them the best in the Netherlands.

Beyond the acclaimed strawberries, the farm is also praised for its tasty cherries and a charming farm shop offering a variety of delightful products. These include homemade jams, smoothies, ice cream, pancake flour, candies, and thoughtfully curated gift packages, catering to diverse preferences. The staff is consistently highlighted for being friendly, helpful, and contributing to a pleasant experience. Customers appreciate the good value for money and the engaging self-picking days, which provide an enjoyable opportunity to see how everything grows. The farm maintains its high standards, offering excellent produce year after year, with strawberries even available later in the season.

Facilities in this u-pick farm

Farm shop Farm shop

Marja's Bloemenpluktuin

8.3 km — noord-holland

Marja’s Bloemenpluktuin is a pick-your-own flower garden located in Spierdijk, offering a colorful and fragrant oasis for visitors. In addition to flowers, the farm provides opportunities to pick edible blossoms, herbs for tea and cooking, and soft fruit directly from the trees. A farm stand offers seasonal vegetables, homemade honey, and various teas from the garden. The garden is open for self-picking from mid-June to August, while guided tours are available by appointment from April to mid-September for groups of up to 10 people. The garden is closed during the winter months until spring begins, though tours may still be booked. Payment can be made in cash, via QR code, or through a Tikkie payment link. A self-service bicycle repair station is also available on site for visitors who arrive by bike.

Firma van der Aarde

10.1 km — noord-holland

Firma van der Aarde is a family-run fruit farm located at De Hout 13 in Hem, Netherlands, with over a century of agricultural history. The farm has transitioned from conventional methods to fully biological (organic) practices, officially receiving SKAL certification in September 2023. It is open every day of the week from 08:00 to 18:00, and a farm shop vending machine is available around the clock for self-service purchases. Visitors can self-pick fruit through a unique tree adoption program. By adopting an apple or pear tree for €30 per year, guests are invited to harvest their own fruit, especially during the picking season. Available apple varieties include Summercrisp (ready in August), Santana (ready in September), and Wellant (ready in late September). Pear varieties include Doyenne du Comice (ready in October) and Gieser Wildeman, a cooking pear (ready in October and November). The farm also offers pre-picked fruit and produce for direct sale via its vending machine, including apples, pears, apple-pear juice, and eggs, with prices such as €5 for 2 kg of apples, pears, or stewing pears, and €15 for 5 liters of juice.

Fruitkwekerij 't Keetje

10.3 km — noord-holland

’t Keetje is a fruit farm and care farm located in Lutjebroek, originally established in 1988. The farm features a small orchard of about 2 hectares, a farm shop, a lunchroom, and a care farm offering daytime activities. The site also includes an experience garden and a glass “living room” for relaxation and activities. Visitors can self-pick a variety of fruit during the summer and autumn months. The selection includes apples (such as Elstar, Delcorf, Jonagold, Santana, Braeburn, Welland, Alkmene, James Grieve, and Goudreinette), pears (including Conference, Doyenné, Gieser Wildeman, Forelle, and Gravin Gepa), as well as plums, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, and various berries. To pick fruit, guests can get a basket or container from the farm shop, pick what they like, and pay at the shop.

De Bosmantel

12.1 km — noord-holland

De Bosmantel is a nature-inclusive farm and market garden in Andijk that grows a wide variety of vegetables, fruit, and flowers without the use of pesticides or artificial fertilizers. The farm prioritizes biodiversity, sustainable soil management, and minimal water usage, operating on a small scale with light, hand-operated tools. In addition to a farm shop offering a diverse range of products—including vegetables, fruit, dairy, bread, meat, eggs, honey, pantry staples, and non-food items—the farm runs a vegetable subscription service and a pick-your-own flower garden. The pick-your-own flower garden is open during the summer season. The farm grows various fruits on its own land, such as strawberries, berries, apples, and plums, and is working to expand this selection. The shop and subscription service offer seasonal vegetables, many of which are grown on-site.