Enschede lies in the heart of Twente, a coulisse landscape of forests, field plots and characteristic farmsteads that sets itself apart from the rest of the Netherlands through its small scale and tranquillity. The Twente erven — large farm complexes fringed by oak groves and hedgerows — have always been the focal point of agricultural life in the region. On and around these farmsteads strawberries, berries and sometimes vegetables are grown, and more and more farmers are opening their doors to visitors who want to pick their own. The proximity to Germany and the gently rolling landscape make a trip to a Twente pick-your-own farm extra special.
U-Pick Farms in and around Enschede
Around Enschede, Hengelo, Almelo, Oldenzaal and Haaksbergen you’ll find a variety of pick-your-own farms and farm shops where you are very welcome. You can pick strawberries, raspberries and seasonal flowers surrounded by the green Twente coulisse landscape. You can also search among all u-pick farms in Overijssel .
The best u-pick farms near Enschede: our picks
Enschede is within walking distance of Germany and sits in the heart of Twente — a landscape of hedgerows, es-field villages and oak-birch forests that has produced its own agricultural culture. The sandy soils of Twente are particularly well suited to forest fruits, berries and a type of horticulture closer to nature than what the Randstad is accustomed to.
Three kilometres from the city centre, Bosbessenkwekerij La Française proves that Twente has ideal soil for blueberries: slightly acidic, well-drained sand with sufficient rainfall from the nearby ridges. From July to August you pick organic blueberries from quality plants here — a niche experience that has almost no equivalent in the region.
Seven kilometres away in Oldenzaal, Boerderijwinkel ’t Duvelshofke has combined berries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and flowers in a picking garden that bridges spring and summer: narcissi and tulips early in the season, soft fruit in summer, dahlias through to autumn.
Seventeen kilometres away in Zenderen, Het Bloemenerf is a specialist flower picking garden with dahlias, zinnias and cosmos in the summer months. Workshops and bespoke flower arrangements make it more than a simple picking stop.
Towards Almelo at thirty kilometres, Pluktuin Hoge Hexel offers its dahlia plot for self-picking: the price per stem is low, the variety is wide and the atmosphere is relaxed.
Tip: the blueberries at La Française are at their best in the second half of July. Visit on a weekday morning — weekends are popular and the ripest berries are quickly picked.