7 activities for a day at the beach and in the greenhouse in Westland

Westland's beaches are wide, quiet and ideal for walking, horse riding or simply getting a breath of fresh air. At Slag Vlugtenburg and Slag Beukel, you will not find crowds, but space and nature: dogs are often allowed to run free and run along the tidemark outside the summer season (1 October to 15 May). During your beach walk, you will spot the occasional horseman in the surf and kitesurfers in the air. With the wind in your hair and sand under your feet, every walk here feels like a mini holiday.

Tip: You can park at Slag Vlugtenburg (Nieuwlandsedijk 20, 's-Gravenzande), Slag Beukel (Verlengde Strandweg, 's-Gravenzande) and Ter Heijde (Karel Doormantrap near Makani Beach). From the car park you can walk straight onto the beach entrance.

Westland is the horticultural heart of the Netherlands. In the huge glass greenhouses, not only tomatoes and peppers are grown, but also special microgreens and edible plants that find their way to kitchens all over the world. During open days or guided tours, you can see for yourself how innovative the sector is and how much passion there is behind an 'ordinary tomato'.

One of our favourite growers is Koppert Cress, leading and internationally renowned for their sprouts. Small plants and edible flowers with all kinds of different flavour profiles such as garlic, brocolli and citrus. Top chefs from all over the world use the plants to refine the flavour and presentation of their dishes to perfection.

As well as Koppert Cress’s edible jungle, we also visited Ter Laak Orchids. There, we were given a glimpse into the world of orchids and saw flowers in colours and patterns I’d never seen before – ranging from subtly speckled to bright and almost luminous. What’s remarkable is that they devise and develop these variations themselves right here. During the ‘Kom in de Kas’ days or in their own Orchid Store, you can experience a little of this world for yourself and take a plant home with you.

Cycling along the market gardeners with your crate

Another way to experience the greenhouse world up close is with Bakkie Fietsen. On a sturdy cargo bike with a wooden crate on the front, you cycle along local market gardeners. Along the way, you step inside nurseries, taste fresh produce and hear the stories behind the glass. Often, you will also get some goodies to put in your crate: from a bunch of tomatoes to a forgotten vegetable you may never have eaten before. So you will not only fill your bike, but also your head with inspiration about where our food comes from.

Tip: compile your route in advance via Bakkie Fietsen, then you can combine several gardeners in one trip.

One of the nicest ways to explore Westland is by e-chopper: a tough electric scooter on which you ride silently through the dunes and past the greenhouses. The contrast along the way is extraordinary: the open sea on the left, the sleek lines of the greenhouses that characterise this area on the right. At De Zweth in Kwintsheul, you can hire an e-chopper and discover much of Westland in a short time. You have the freedom to stop along the way for a photo, a walk on the beach or a break at a beach pavilion.

Tip: we recommend taking the e-chopper to the Sand Motor, a unique piece of coastal nature where you can stop for a walk. Don't have a driving licence? Then a kickbike is a good alternative. Go just as fast on it, promise 😉.

If you take the e-chopper towards the coast at Ter Heijde, you will arrive at the Sand Motor: an artificial peninsula created in 2011 to strengthen the coast in a natural way. The area has since grown into a unique piece of coastal nature where wind, sand and water constantly form new patterns. With a guide from Natuurlijk Westland, you will discover how this experiment works and which plants and birds now feel at home there. It feels like walking through new land: rugged, changeable and always different.

Want to discover Westland in an original way? Then hire a classic 2CV, better known as the 'ugly duckling'. With the windows open, you can drive past greenhouses, villages and country roads at a leisurely pace. Because you are not going fast, you see a lot more: from the changing patterns in the greenhouse area to unexpected vistas into the dunes. Driving such an iconic little car feels like an adventure in itself, especially if you are used to driving with power steering 😉 .

Fun to do: at Eenden Tours Westland, you can hire various brightly coloured 2CVs. Combine your ride with a picnic basket full of local produce and find a nice spot to stop along the way.

On the Westland coast, the wind is king. And with a power kite in your hands, I can promise you’ll feel just how powerful it is. Less well-known than kitesurfing is the ‘dry feet’ version: power kiting. No getting wet, but it does provide a good workout for your arm muscles and your coordination. I’ve still got a bit of practising to do, but perhaps you’ll even manage to step onto the kite board and pick up some speed. You can try power kiting – and lots more, such as blokarting – at Wato Evens.

Would you rather get out on the water? Then the Westland beaches at Ter Heijde and ’s-Gravenzande are perfect for wave surfing. You’ll also find two surf clubs there where you can take a lesson or hire a surfboard, including Dreams Surfschool.

After a morning in the sea breeze, you prefer to go to a beach pavilion where you immediately feel like on holiday. At Elements Beach in 's-Gravenzande, you taste organic and vegetarian dishes in a Balinese vintage setting. Makani Beach in Ter Heijde has a real boho surfer vibe, with dishes you would expect to find on a tropical paradise. Think fresh salads, fresh fish and colourful bowls.

Good to know is that many of the beach bars in Westland are open from spring (the season starts at the end of March/beginning of April) to autumn (the season ends at the beginning of October) and then wind down. Are you in Westland in winter? Then you can join us at The Coast beach house in Monster.