Glamping Friesland

Friesland is in the north of the Netherlands, among lakes, canals and polders. The campsite is in Heeg, right on open water, just inside the village. The maritime climate brings mild summers around 22 degrees in July and August and long, light evenings; in April and October it is 13 to 14 degrees, often with a breeze off the water.

The Frisian lake district is a chain of lakes, waterways and reed beds, with vast skies that fill half the view. Meadow birds breed in the polders around Heeg. De Alde Feanen National Park is within driving distance, and further north the Wadden Sea and the islands begin.

Sailing, paddleboarding, windsurfing, canoeing and sloop boating, all straight from the jetty; a sailing instructor is available. You can also cycle through the wide-open countryside along the Elfstedenroute, go eel fishing with a professional fisherman, and try mudflat walking on the north coast. At the campsite you can hire a wood-fired hot tub and there's a campfire spot.

Friesland has its own language and a strong skating tradition, with the Elfstedentocht as its best-known example. Sneek, Hindeloopen and Workum are old waterside towns with shipyards and painted Hindeloopen furniture. The Wouda Pumping Station in Lemmer, the largest steam pumping station still in operation in the world, is on the UNESCO list.