Brandyfoot

In the riverland countryside outside the city of Venlo, this charming thatched farmhouse is a picture of Dutch provincial life. The small town of Baarlo is a short drive in one direction and the buzzing city of Venlo is an easy drive in the other. The surrounding countryside is famous for its agriculture, so you know produce picked up at the local markets and shops is going to be farm-fresh. The vast garden is home to towering trees, making dinners outside at the banquet-sized table a delight.

Inside, the kitchen with its Belfast sink and huge wooden dining table feels like the farmhouse kitchen of old – the perfect spot to cook up some of that fresh, local produce. There are two lounges to choose from – the main lounge in moss-green with plush tufted sofas and an ornamental fireplace, and a snuggly smaller room with a collection of books for some downtime. Plus, there’s a wood-fired hot tub amidst the trees that can be rented, just ask your host.

Home truths:
*In a remote location, having a car is recommended and there is a parking lot a minute's walk from the home
*The interior of the home may differ slightly from photographs
*All the bedrooms are upstairs, so this place may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
*Two of the bedrooms have three single beds, so would be best suited to children sharing
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace