Glamping rental Putten - 1 glamping

Where Forest, Water and History Collide: Glamping in Putten

Tucked away in the province of Gelderland, Putten is a charming Dutch town that most international travellers have never heard of. And that is exactly what makes it so special. With ancient forests to the east, open polder landscapes to the west, and a lakeside beach just minutes away, Putten quietly offers everything you could want from a glamping holiday, without the crowds.

A Small Town at the Heart of Everything

Putten sits on the western edge of the Veluwe, the largest contiguous natural area in the Netherlands. The municipality covers approximately 85 square kilometres, and its population hovers around 24,000 residents, giving it a pleasantly quiet, village-like atmosphere. Geographically, Putten is positioned at roughly 52.26°N, 5.61°E, placing it right in the centre of the country.

In fact, that is not a figure of speech. The official geographical centre of gravity of the Netherlands (excluding seas and inland waters) is located just a few kilometres southeast of Putten, in the Sprielderbos forest. A large boulder with a steel ring marks the exact spot, placed there in 1984 after a calculation by geologist Frank Storbeck. If you could lift the Netherlands by that ring, it would balance perfectly. Few places anywhere can claim to be quite so literally central.

Getting to Putten is remarkably easy. The town has its own train station on the Utrecht-Zwolle mainline, with hourly Sprinter services that reach Utrecht Centraal in about 35 to 40 minutes. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is accessible in under 1.5 hours by train with a transfer. For drivers, the A28 motorway runs right past Putten, connecting it southward to Utrecht (about 40 km) and northward to Zwolle (about 50 km).

Why a Glamping in Putten Beats the Usual Holiday Spots

So why should you book a glamping in Putten rather than heading for a more well-known Dutch destination? Here are some compelling reasons:

• Nature on your doorstep: Putten borders the Veluwe, home to ancient forests, heathlands, sand drifts and free-roaming wildlife including red deer and wild boar. You do not need to drive for hours to immerse yourself in nature; it starts just steps from town.
• Water and woodland in one trip: Unlike most forest destinations, Putten also has a lakeside beach. Strand Nulde, situated on the Veluwemeer, offers sandy shores, water sports and a proper holiday feel. You get forest and beach without having to choose.
• Authentic Dutch village charm: With its weekly Wednesday morning market, local independent shops and cosy cafes, Putten has the kind of genuine village atmosphere that is increasingly hard to find.
• Central yet uncrowded: While tourists flock to Amsterdam, Bruges or the Eifel, Putten remains refreshingly calm. You are right in the heart of the Netherlands, close to everything, yet far from mass tourism.
• Rich history, gently told: Putten has a deeply moving history and meaningful memorial sites that offer respectful and thought-provoking experiences, without the commercial feel of bigger attractions.

The Forest of the Dancing Trees and Other Surprises

Most people come to the Veluwe for a walk in the woods. In Putten, the woods come with legends and unexpected twists.

Speulder- en Sprielderbos

This ancient forest, straddling the municipalities of Putten and Ermelo, is popularly known as the Forest of the Dancing Trees. Over centuries, loggers cut down straight-trunked trees for shipbuilding and other uses, leaving behind the crooked ones. The result is a surreal landscape of twisted oaks and beeches that look like they are frozen mid-dance. When fog rolls in or the sun filters through the canopy, the effect is genuinely magical. The forest covers approximately 3,300 hectares and contains burial mounds dating back to around 2800 BCE. Deep in the woods lies the Solse Gat, a mysterious depression surrounded by local legend. According to folklore, a monastery once stood there, its monks having made a pact with the devil, until the entire structure was swallowed into the ground one stormy Christmas night.

Landgoed Schovenhorst

Often called the "most beautiful secret of Putten," this 180-hectare estate was founded in 1848 and is home to five remarkable tree gardens, including collections of species from three different continents. Some of the estate's giant sequoia trees were planted as early as 1852. You can wander the tree gardens freely from sunrise to sunset. A highlight is the Bostoren, a 40-metre observation tower with a forest garden on top, offering panoramic views across the Veluwe.

The Geographical Centre of Gravity

As mentioned, the centre of gravity of the Netherlands sits in the Sprielderbos near Putten. It is marked by a boulder with a steel ring and can be found at the intersection of the Peppelerweg and Oude Prinsenweg. A quirky, fun destination for a walk or cycle ride, and a wonderful conversation starter for your holiday photos.

A Village Shaped by Resilience

Putten has a history that stretches back to at least the year 855, with evidence of settlement dating to Roman times. The town has seen more than its share of hardship. On 1 and 2 October 1944, one of the most devastating reprisal actions in the Netherlands during World War II took place here: the majority of the male population was deported, and 552 people lost their lives in concentration camps. Today, the Vrouwtje van Putten (Lady of Putten) memorial and the Oktober 1944 memorial room in the Dorpsstraat offer a deeply respectful tribute. Three listening stones from the Liberation Route Europe are also situated in Putten, marking key sites connected to the events.

Five Things to Do That Are Not in the Standard Guidebook

Forget the tourist cliches. Here are five experiences around Putten that will make your glamping trip genuinely memorable:

1. Walk the Oldenallerpad (Klompenpad): This "Clogs Trail" leads through ancient castle forests, farmers' fields, streams and heath. You will climb over traditional wooden fences, pass a sheepfold and discover hidden corners of the Gelderland countryside that feel wonderfully untouched.
2. Visit the Putter Stoomgemaal: This steam-powered pumping station, built in 1886, kept the Arkemheen polder dry for nearly a century. It is now a national monument, lovingly restored by volunteers. On special operating days, the coal-fired engine roars back to life, and the 20-paddle scoop wheel begins to turn. Free to visit, run entirely on passion.
3. Paint your own Delft Blue tile at Heinen Delfts Blauw: Putten is one of only three locations in the Netherlands where you can try your hand at this centuries-old craft. A surprisingly absorbing activity for adults and children alike.
4. Explore Putten's outdoor art trail: In Putten, some of the most striking artworks are not behind glass in museums. They are positioned along roads and hidden in forests. Take a self-guided walk and discover sculptures and installations scattered around the municipality.
5. Cycle to a vineyard tasting at Wijngaard Telgt: Just across the municipal border near Ermelo, this working vineyard offers tours and tastings. Dutch wine may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but the Veluwe region has a growing number of small vineyards, and tasting local wine while surrounded by forests and fields is a delightful surprise.

Practical Tips for Your Glamping Trip

When to Visit

Putten is beautiful year-round, but each season has a different character. Spring brings wildflowers and birdsong to the Veluwe forests. Summer is ideal for combining forest walks with beach days at Strand Nulde. Autumn transforms the Speulderbos into a photographer's dream, with golden and amber foliage and atmospheric fog. Winter offers quiet, crisp walks through the bare forests, often with the chance to spot deer more easily.

Getting Around

Putten is excellent cycling territory, as you would expect in the Netherlands. The area has an extensive cycling junction network (knooppuntennetwerk) that makes it easy to plan your own routes through forests, polders and along the Veluwemeer. Bike rental is available locally. For hiking, dozens of marked trails range from short loops to full-day routes.

Nearby Day Trips

Putten's central location makes it a superb base for day trips. The Hanseatic town of Harderwijk is about 15 minutes away by car. The Apenheul primate park near Apeldoorn is roughly 35 minutes away. Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem can be reached in about 40 minutes. And if you want a day of culture, the city of Amersfoort, with its medieval old town, is just 25 minutes down the road.

Dog-Friendly Destination

Putten is wonderfully welcoming for guests travelling with dogs. Many of the hiking trails through the Veluwe forests are dog-friendly, and Strand Nulde allows dogs on the beach from October through April. The local tourist office (VVV Putten) can point you to the best dog-friendly walking routes.

More Than Just a Place to Sleep

What makes a glamping holiday in Putten so rewarding is the combination: world-class nature, moving history, genuine village life and a location that connects you to some of the best the Netherlands has to offer. This is not a place where you simply retreat to your accommodation. It is a place where every day brings something unexpected, whether that is stumbling upon a 5,000-year-old burial mound, watching a Victorian-era steam engine hiss back to life, or sipping local wine in a forest clearing.

Book a glamping now and give yourself the Dutch holiday you did not know you were looking for. Putten is ready to surprise you.