We first visited De Kempervennen when our kids were quite young, and have since watched it expand and develop into a really fantastic village. Brand new Premium and VIP Eden cottages have been built with an emphasis on sunlight and space inside the cottages. New water slides have been added at the Aqua Mundo, and there is now an inflatable assault course on the lake. The Action Factory has added a fantastic assault course type area for older kids and teens. There is still no spa, which makes me sad, but there are plenty of activities to keep kids and adults entertained.
The Dutch love cycling, and the whole area is perfect for getting out on your bike and exploring. With bike lanes everywhere, it’s pretty safe taking children offsite, although there is plenty do in the village and you might not feel the need to venture further afield. Now our kids are older, we often ride our bikes to a local town to pick up some groceries or just have a mooch around. The town of Valkenswaard is an 18 minute bike ride or 10 minute drive away, and has a Lidl which is great for stocking up on groceries.
Theme park enthusiasts might be interested to know that Efteling Theme Park is a 50 minute (38 mile) drive from De Kempervennen. Efteling is one of the most popular Theme Parks in Europe, and is definitely worth a visit. Consider tagging a couple of nights at Efteling onto the end of your Center Parcs holiday to fully appreciate everything this incredible Theme Park has to offer. Big families are able to book hotel rooms with breakfast included for up to six people or self-catering houses for up to 24 people at Efteling. Tickets to the Park are included with every booking.
Aqua Mundo at De Kempervennen
Included with every booking:
- Aqua Loop High Speed Water Slide
- Aqua Racer Water Slide with single and duo inflatable rings
- Children’s Pool for babies/toddlers aged 3 months +
- Hot Tubs
- Outdoor Pool
- Pool Party with music and lights
- Snorkelling Pool with underwater fish tanks
- Water Slides
- Wave Pool
- Wild Water Rapids
Where to Stay at De Kempervennen – in order of occupancy
Adventure Cottage
- Sleeps up to 4 people + 2 infants aged 0-2 years
- No reduced mobility option
- Beds made on arrival
- Second TV in main bedroom
- Kitchen package with tea towel, cleaning sponge, etc.
- Kitchen with dishwasher
- Towels not included
- Breakfast not included (can be purchased separately)
Boathouse
- Sleeps up to 4 people + no infants aged 0-2 years
- No reduced mobility option
- Beds made on arrival
- Kitchen package with tea towel, cleaning sponge, etc.
- Kitchen with dishwasher
- Towels included
- Breakfast not included (can be purchased separately)
Wellness Cottage
- Sleeps up to 4 people + 2 infants aged 0-2 years
- No reduced mobility option
- Beds made on arrival
- Second TV in main bedroom
- Hot Tub
- Sauna
- Bathrobes and slippers included
- Kitchen package with tea towel, cleaning sponge, etc.
- Kitchen with dishwasher and two ovens
- Towels and toiletries included
- Breakfast not included (can be purchased separately)
Comfort Cottage
- Sleeps up to 6 people + 2 infants aged 0-2 years
- No reduced mobility option
- Bedding included, but beds not made up
- Kitchen with dishwasher
- Towels not included
- Breakfast not included (can be purchased separately)
VIP Cottage
- Sleeps up to 6 people + 2 infants aged 0-2 years
- No reduced mobility option
- Beds made on arrival
- Second TV in main bedroom
- Jacuzzi bath
- Sauna
- Kitchen package with tea towel, cleaning sponge, etc.
- Kitchen with dishwasher
- Towels and toiletries included
- Breakfast not included (can be purchased separately)
Premium Eden Cottage
- Sleeps up to 8 people + 2 infants aged 0-2 years
- No reduced mobility option
- Beds made on arrival
- Second TV in main bedroom
- Jacuzzi bath
- Kitchen package with tea towel, cleaning sponge, etc.
- Kitchen with dishwasher
- Towels not included
- Breakfast not included (can be purchased separately)
Premium Cottage
- Sleeps up to 10 people + 2 infants aged 0-2 years
- No reduced mobility option
- Beds made on arrival
- Second TV in main bedroom in cottages for 4 + people
- Kitchen package with tea towel, cleaning sponge, etc.
- Kitchen with dishwasher
- Towels not included
- Breakfast not included (can be purchased separately)
VIP Eden Cottage
- Sleeps up to 12 people + 2 infants aged 0-2 years
- No reduced mobility option
- Beds made on arrival
- Extra TV in up to two bedrooms
- Jacuzzi bath
- Sauna
- Kitchen package with tea towel, cleaning sponge, etc.
- Kitchen with dishwasher
- Towels and toiletries included
- Breakfast not included (can be purchased separately)
Where to Eat at De Kempervennen
- Evergreenz Buffet Restaurant – buffet restaurant serving breakfast and dinner
- Grabber Joe’s Lunch Café Aqua Mundo – serving sandwiches, paninis and ice-creams poolside
- Grand Café – serving international food and drinks
- Frites Affairs – fast food restaurant serving burgers, fries and ice creams
- Fuego Grill Restaurant – serving burgers, meat skewers and fish dishes
- Nonna’s Italian Restaurant – serving Italian cuisine
Supermarkets Near De Kempervennen
- Onsite Supermarket inside Market Dome
- Aldi in Valkenswaard – 3 miles
- Lidl in Valkenswaard – 3 miles
- Lidl in Bergeik – 5 miles
How Can I Get to De Kempervennen?
Eurotunnel from Folkestone
| Route | Crossing Time | Onward Distance to Village | Onward Journey Time to Village |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folkestone – Calais | 35 minutes | 184 miles | 3½ hours |
Ferry from UK Port
| Route | Crossing Time | Onward Distance to Village | Onward Journey Time to Village |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover – Calais | 1½ hours | 182 miles | 3¼ hours |
| Dover – Dunkirk | 2 hours | 167 miles | 3 hours |
| Folkestone to Calais | 1½ hours | 182 miles | 3¼ hours |
| Harwich – Hook of Holland | from 6½ hour day or night crossing | 97 miles | 1¾ hours |
| Hull – Rotterdam | 11½ hour night crossing | 78 miles | 1½ hours |
| Newcastle – Amsterdam Ijmuiden | 15¾ hour night crossing | 102 miles | 1¾ hours |
| Newhaven – Dieppe | 4 hours | 253 miles if choosing Google Maps route offered that avoids Lille ULEZ zone | 5 hours |
| Poole – Cherbourg | 4½ hours | 455 miles if choosing Google Maps route offered that avoids Lille ULEZ zone | 7 hours |
| Portsmouth – Caen | 5¾ hours | 374 miles if choosing Google Maps route offered that avoids Lille ULEZ zone | 5¾ hours |
| Portsmouth – Cherbourg | from 4¾ hours | 455 miles if choosing Google Maps route offered that avoids Lille ULEZ zone | 7 hours |
| Portsmouth – Le Havre | from 6 hours | 324 miles if choosing Google Maps route offered that avoids Lille ULEZ zone | 5¼ hours |
| Portsmouth – St. Malo | from 10 hours | 472 miles if choosing Google Maps route offered that avoids Lille ULEZ zone | 8½ hours |
Eurostar from London St. Pancras International Station
- I wouldn’t recommend taking the Eurostar as all onward journeys include several transfers.
Flying from UK Airports
- To Eindhoven Airport – flight time varies depending on departure airport. The easiest way to get from Eindhoven Airport to the village is by taking a taxi straight there (22 minutes).
Happy to travel a little bit further? Het Heijderbos Village is just over an hour away to the east of De Kempervennen Village.
Useful Resources When Driving in France, Belgium and Netherlands
All distances have been taken from Google Maps. Journey times will vary depending on the time/day you travel and any unforeseen events such as accidents or roadworks. Whether you opt for planes, trains or ferries, remember to allow 1-2 hours for check-in and boarding each way.
Many countries are bringing in more and more ULEZ zones, which can make journeys difficult if your big old family car is non-compliant. Even cars that are compliant have to be registered to be allowed in these zones. This all gets pretty complicated, so it’s best to just avoid the relevant areas. Google Maps will often take you straight through a ULEZ zone without offering an alternative route, so make adjustments to your route before you set off if necessary. Visit drive2.city for up-to-date information on ULEZ zones in the UK and the rest of Europe.
