Tour Guide Wanted Harwich -> Hook, and the Netherlands

[two]

Are there any reliable stopovers, after arriving at (or before leaving) Hook of Holland (or is it best to clear the cities)?

Planning on visiting Northern Holland, so any tips and places not to miss?

 

[icantremember]

I understand you can stay a the Harwich port, but we found the best was to take the overnight boat, have a kip on board and then drove right up to the North the next morning.

 

[denisejoe]

I understand you can stay a the Harwich port, but we found the best was to take the overnight boat, have a kip on board and then drove right up to the North the next morning.

I think they meant before leaving Hook of Holland rather than before going over.

 

[icantremember]

I think they meant before leaving Hook of Holland rather than before going over.

You may be correct but I read "Planning on visiting Northern Holland" so could be either, but on the way North.

 

[violet]

We have arrived late at Harwich and stayed in our camper before boarding next morning. We have never stayed close to the Hook of Holland so can't comment. One place we like on our way to Germany /Denmark is Hattem. There is a very pleasant Marina parking place (about 12€) with about 12 places. It is a few minutes walk from the very attractive small town. Cycle paths start close to the marina. Excellent bakery, restaurants, shopping, etc.
There is a free aire at Heerde, about ten miles from Hattem. We have stayed there twice but be prepared for noise at night, even though it is in a residential area. The aire is on the edge of a small park and walking to Heerde takes minutes. Heerde is smaller than Hattem but is very pleasant with an excellent and friendly ice-cream parlour. There is a modern well-stocked Aldi. Again, if cycling, Heerde is the beginning for some lovely traffic free cycling routes.

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[LesW]

Are there any reliable stopovers, after arriving at (or before leaving) Hook of Holland (or is it best to clear the cities)?

Planning on visiting Northern Holland, so any tips and places not to miss?

Search for Sites show a few places not too far away from the docks.

 

[The Coops]

Park Americka in Gouda, motorhome parking in the city centre E8 a night inc electric and 1/2 hour drive to the Hook.

 

[two]

I understand you can stay a the Harwich port, but we found the best was to take the overnight boat, have a kip on board and then drove right up to the North the next morning.

I'm not sure I was offered a night crossing, which I might consider, but being able to stay in the port (this side) is good to know.

I was wondering if there were places reasonably close on the Dutch side.

As said, it's still in the planning stage but we usually stay overnight near to a port so that we can catch an early ferry in the morning without much delay.

 

[two]

We have arrived late at Harwich and stayed in our camper before boarding next morning. We have never stayed close to the Hook of Holland so can't comment. One place we like on our way to Germany /Denmark is Hattem. There is a very pleasant Marina parking place (about 12€) with about 12 places. It is a few minutes walk from the very attractive small town. Cycle paths start close to the marina. Excellent bakery, restaurants, shopping, etc.
There is a free aire at Heerde, about ten miles from Hattem. We have stayed there twice but be prepared for noise at night, even though it is in a residential area. The aire is on the edge of a small park and walking to Heerde takes minutes. Heerde is smaller than Hattem but is very pleasant with an excellent and friendly ice-cream parlour. There is a modern well-stocked Aldi. Again, if cycling, Heerde is the beginning for some lovely traffic free cycling routes.

Thank, Violet.
I didn't mention the bikes but Holland is so cycle-friendly that I assume there to be plenty of cycling opportunities.
Hattem sounds like the kind of place we'd like to stop and we don't worry about paying to stop overnight.
Staying at the port before crossing offers more flexibility with travel times/delays. We don't like to be rushing when on holiday.

 

[icantremember]

I'm not sure I was offered a night crossing, which I might consider, but being able to stay in the port (this side) is good to know.

I was wondering if there were places reasonably close on the Dutch side.

As said, it's still in the planning stage but we usually stay overnight near to a port so that we can catch an early ferry in the morning without much delay.

Unless things have changed, there are two sailings one of which arrives at the Hook intime to have an early breakfast on board before getting away from the port .. all very civilised.

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[Rapido666F]

We like looking at water and there is plenty to see in the Netherlands! We are also more than happy to sit in the lounge of the ship, reading our books etc and watching the world go by: cheaper than a night crossing by a few quid! however, we have learnt to take coffee and tea with us in flasks, as the charges are quite high and the quality wasn't great (2015 - may be different now).

The marina at Gorringchem is a popular spot for us, although perhaps too far and too much East. It can also be noisy as it borders the Rhine and is an interesting place to relax.
Similarly Breda with a peaceful night beside a quiet canal has been a first stop from HofH but it is south.
Different in character is the marina at Almere, not far from Amsterdam: very peaceful and this year Almere is hosting Floriade, the flower festival which only happens every 10y.

Gouda would be one of my first night choices if heading north: the cheese museum is worth a visit.

Further up the coast, I would cross the Breezanddijk and stop at Harlingen: a lovely town. You will pass the statue to the two-faced man before you enter the town: find out about him!

Lauwersoog is a wonderful spot on a nature reserve: exceedingly peaceful but with boats on the lagoon.

Delfzil has an aire close to supermarkets and next to the Ems Hotel, an interesting structure.

Inland we have visited a lovely orchid and butterfly centre but I can't find an address for it. Not too far away is a museum/visitor centre on a piece of land which used to be an island on the edge of the North Sea. It was evacuated by the government but has been done up since the land was rescued. A bit further west there is a building with a weather vane in the form of a ship on water, indicating what the sea level used to be.

Enjoy your holiday.

Gordon

 

[Bailey58]

Can't help on stopovers near the Hook as we only take the car that way when heading to Hirtshals in north Jylland. It probably won't matter if you're eating in the van but if you are considering the night sailing we find it a bit, what's the word, less than user friendly in that they sometimes board too late for us to eat a meal before bed. The same with breakfast, for us at least they arrive too early to eat on board, We sometimes eat in Morrisons across the road on the way out. Arrival in Holland can be slow to go through border control but even worse in Harwich with only two booths open initially and eventually cars jumping out of the queue and heading for newly opened lanes, we've often been first in last out!

Outward bound we head north from the Hook and, skirting Amsterdam (been there on cruises more than once), head for the scenic Afluitsdijk, which takes longer to cross than we thought, before taking the northern route to Denmark. Last time we came home we stopped for a few hours in Gieethorn north of Zwolle before getting the overnight ferry back to Harwich. Charming place with canals and waterways. We've booked a hotel for our return this year so we can do a bit more there.

 

[Tasape]

We have driven via the Hook many times, and found it best to clear the cities and the Ringroad

 

[violet]

Can't help on stopovers near the Hook as we only take the car that way when heading to Hirtshals in north Jylland. It probably won't matter if you're eating in the van but if you are considering the night sailing we find it a bit, what's the word, less than user friendly in that they sometimes board too late for us to eat a meal before bed. The same with breakfast, for us at least they arrive too early to eat on board, We sometimes eat in Morrisons across the road on the way out. Arrival in Holland can be slow to go through border control but even worse in Harwich with only two booths open initially and eventually cars jumping out of the queue and heading for newly opened lanes, we've often been first in last out!

Outward bound we head north from the Hook and, skirting Amsterdam (been there on cruises more than once), head for the scenic Afluitsdijk, which takes longer to cross than we thought, before taking the northern route to Denmark. Last time we came home we stopped for a few hours in Gieethorn north of Zwolle before getting the overnight ferry back to Harwich. Charming place with canals and waterways. We've booked a hotel for our return this year so we can do a bit more there.

When heading to Hirtshals do you use the Wischafen ferry or go via Hamburg?

 

[Rapido666F]

On the return journey be aware that only the right hand lane doesn’t have a height restriction at HofH

Gordon

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[Bailey58]

When heading to Hirtshals do you use the Wischafen ferry or go via Hamburg?

We usually use the ferry, we have gone via Hamburg on the return once or twice on a Sunday when lorries are banned and the roads quieter. We have also used the ferry from Cuxhaven to Brunsbuttel which then went bust but I believe has now started again.

 

[Bleau’s]

What part of holland do you want to go to we stop at strandpark vlutenberg 10 mins from the Hook and are going to corfwater near amsterdam in 2weeks whilst visiting kuekenhof gardens we also stop on texal island pm me if you need to know where to stop there .

 

[jollyrodger]

Search for sites showing a few

 

[two]

What part of holland do you want to go to we stop at strandpark vlutenberg 10 mins from the Hook and are going to corfwater near amsterdam in 2weeks whilst visiting kuekenhof gardens we also stop on texal island pm me if you need to know where to stop there .

I am open-minded, but had in view the NW.