Located in Drenthe, right by Dwingelderveld National Park you’ll find a beautiful green campsite called, d’Olde Kamp. Along with typical camping accommodations, they also offer overnights in their incredible treehouse as well as in lodgings that are a little more historically special – Plaggenhutten!
To be completely honest, I didn’t know much about the Plaggenhut until Kiki and I came across this campsite on the wonderful world wide web. Visually, I was immediately impressed with what looked to be a giant earthy roof coming directly out of the ground – it gave me major Lord of the Rings hobbit house vibes. After doing some research, I learned quite a bit about these, ‘Sod’ or ‘Turf’ huts and why they came to be. Not only do they look cool, but their history is so unique to Dutch culture!
History
Plaggenhuts are simple constructions of partially excavated land, no sidewalls, and a roof covered with sods taken from the surrounding area. They were found most commonly in Drenthe (where we were), Friesland, Overijssel, and Brabant. These huts were originally used as shelters for peat workers and eventually became homes to some of the poorest people in the area. Although the Plaggenhut we stayed in was quite lovely, the original structures were the polar opposite. They were difficult to heat, moist, and crawling with vermin. The conditions were so bad in fact, the 1901 Housing Act made it illegal to live in them. What you find today is a much more pleasant replica of these historical houses – allowing you to appreciate their uniqueness without sacrificing the modern-day comforts we have all grown accustomed to.
Arrival
Although arriving by car is definitely the easiest way to get to this campsite in Ansen, there are a few other options available. Coming by train? We recommend you pack light! You can get to d’Olde Kamp by renting public transport bicycles at the NS stations of Meppel and Hoogeveen. If the bus is your desired method (as ours was) you can get to the Brink in Ruinen. Unfortunately, this route leaves you 3 km outside of where you need to be. Luckily, if you let the owners know in advance, they are more than happy to pick you up. As soon as we hopped off the bus, Farmer Bert was there to greet us. Talk about great hospitality!
The Campsite
If you are a nature lover who prefers a more private and intimate setting, this is the place for you. They have a total of 40 camping pitches – each separated by plenty of field space, with electricity and wifi! For our treehuggers out there, their treehouse certainly makes a statement. Winner of 2019’s Treehouse Battle Competition, this gorgeous vacation spot has a beautiful view, incredible interior, and perfect rustic feel. There is also a total of six plaggenhuts fully equipped with a kitchen, private bathroom, and either a wood stove or fireplace. You won’t find any bedrooms, but you will find ‘box beds’ hidden in the walls. As an American, I had never seen anything like it! I channeled my inner Harry Potter and truly enjoyed sleeping in my cozy closet.
For the animal lovers
Out of the six sod huts available, one takes the cake as the most unique of them all – Keuterij Deluxe Drostenveen. This small cottage is actually a farm that comes with goats. In the past, many plaggenhuts were not complete without a stable that held cows and goats. So here you get to truly experience life the way many Dutchies did 100 years ago! From your kitchen table, there’s a view through a transparent wall, directly into the stable. This way you can keep an eye on your new friends without having to smell them.
If you love animals but would rather not share your sleeping facilities with them there are other options. Anyone is welcome to help Farmer Bert take care of the goats, donkeys, chickens and rabbits on the farm! Kiki and I had a blast wandering around the campground searching for all of the different animals. They were so friendly and happy to be around us.
Things to do in the area
With National Park Dwingelderveld just a hop, skip, and a jump away the options of things to do are limitless. Why not enjoy the peace and space on a hike throughout the forests? Or see how much land you can cover cycling or horseback riding. For something more laid back, maybe find yourself a beautiful spot to have a picnic or go bird watching. This location is simply perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
A cozy experience
Overall we had an educational and revitalizing experience at d’Olde Kamp. Farmer Bert was more than helpful, filling us in on the ins and outs of how to successfully get sod for a Plaggenhut (which you can also learn about in our vlog), showing us around his beautiful campsite, and introducing us to his friendly animals. He was bursting with pride over his beloved home in Ansen, and we know why! This was one of the most memorable staycations we had the pleasure of experiencing and we highly recommend it, especially for families!
Check out our vlog!
→ This article was written in collaboration with d’Olde Kamp. We got to stay here for free, in exchange for content. Of course you can read our own opinion here!
