The campground is situated on the edge of the nature reserve “De Groote Peel”. In days gone by this area was a nearly impenetrable marsh. In this watery nature moor-peat developed which was used as fuel by the local inhabitants. In later years peat was exploited on a large scale. Around 1930 the area around the campsite was reclaimed and brought under cultivation as grassy meadows and fertile acres.
Except having the status of Nature Reserve and National Park, the peat-moor district is also appointed as EU-Birding Area and because of the importance for water birds also as Wetland. The district is known as one of the best areas for birds of The Netherlands. In this area of approximately 1350 hectares, around 260 species of birds are seen and besides that a wide variety of dragonflies and butterflies. A very comprehensive guide to birds of De Groote Peel can be consulted at the
campground.
| Warning: Because of the importance of De Groote Peel for birds, larger parts of the area are closed during the breeding season (15th of March until the 15th of July) and during migration (15th of October until the 30th of November). The visitors’ centre and surrounding routings are open all year round. The other reserves in the area are also open all year round. |
Visitor’s centre `Mijl op Zeven’ and the Natural History Museum `De Peel’ offer you a fascinating overview of the flora and fauna in the district.
Besides De Groote Peel, vast nature reserves such as De Strabrechtse Heide, Deurnesche Peel and Mariapeel can be found within a distance of 10 kilometres. The landscape exists of smaller lakes, woods, moors, meadows and cultivated acres. This landscape can be explored by a fine-mazed network of routes for biking, hiking, and rides that start directly from the
campsite.
www.nationaal-parkdegrootepeel.nl
www.vvv-asten.nl
www.museumdepeel.nl
www.ivnastensomeren.nl
www.ivndeurne.nl
www.sterrenwachtasten.nl
| The hard labour of the workers in the Peel District who dug the peat from the ground, have been the inspiration of the writer Antoon Coolen. For the interested camper some books are available in English on the campsite. |
