An Englishmen's Guide To The Efteling
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  • Efteling
    • Efteling Theme Park
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    • Attractions >
      • Fantasierijk (Fantasy Realm) >
        • Het Huis Van De Vijf Zintuigen
        • Efteling Theatre
        • Square - Dwarrelplein (Flutter Square)
        • Aquanura
        • Path - Pardoes Promenade
        • Pardoes Podium (Pardoes Stage)
        • Watertafel (Water Table)
        • Symbolica
      • Marerijk (Lore Realm) >
        • Diorama
        • Stoomcarrousel (Merry go round)
        • Sprookjesbos (Fairy tale forest) >
          • De Sprookjessprokkelaar (The Fairy Tale Gatherer)
          • De Heks (The Witch)
          • Doornroosje (Sleeping beauty)
          • Het Kabouterdorp (The Gnome village)
          • De Zes Dienaren (The Six Servants)
          • Roodkapje (Little Red Riding Hood)
          • Pinokkio (Pinocchio)
          • De Rode Schoentjes (The Red Shoes)
          • De Trollenkoning (The Troll King)
          • Het Stoute Prinsesje (The Naughty Princess)
          • Raponsje (Rapunzel)
          • De Kleine Zeemeermin (The Little Mermaid)
          • Draak Lichtgeraakt (The Cranky Dragon)
          • De Wolf En De Zeven Geitjes (The Wolf and The Seven Kids)
          • Hans En Grietje (Hansel and Gretel)
          • Herautenplein (Herald Square)
          • Vrouw Holle (Mother Holle)
          • Kleine Boodschap (Little Message)
          • Herberg De Ersteling (The Firstling Inn)
          • Sneeuwwitje (Snow White)
          • De Bruidsjurk Van Guinevere (Guinevere's Bridal Gown)
          • De Zes Zwanen (The Six Swans)
          • Assepoester(Cinderella)
          • De Kikkerkoning (The Frog Prince)
          • De Magische Klok (The Magic Clock)
          • De Indische Waterlelies (The Indian Water Lilies)
          • Klein Duimpje (Tom Thumb)
          • Repelsteeltje (Rumpelstiltskin)
          • Het Meisje Met De Zwavelstokjes (The Little Match Girl)
          • Kniesoor (Grumblebore)
          • De Nieuwe Kleren Van De Keizer (The Emperors New Clothes)
          • Sprookjesboom (Fairy Tales Tree)
          • De Tuinman En De Fakir (The Gardener and The Fakir)
          • Sprookjesboom Parkshow (Fairy Tale Tree Park Show)
          • De Chinese Nachtegaal (The Chinese Nightingale)
          • Siertuin (Decorative Garden)
        • Square - St Nicolaas Plein (St Nicolas Square)
        • Square - Ton van de Ven Plein (Ton Van De Ven Square)
        • Stoomtrein (Steamtrain)
        • Droomvlucht (Dream Flight)
        • Droomvlucht VR
        • Raveleijn
        • Villa Volta
        • Kindervreugd Speeltuin (Childrens Happiness Playground)
        • Het Volk Van Laaf (People Of Laaf) >
          • Laaf tour
          • Loetwiek
          • Lonkhuys (Ogle House)
          • Lot’s Kraamhuys (Lot's Maternity House)
          • Lal’s Brouwhuys (Lal's Brewing House)
          • Lurk en Limoenhuys (Lurk and Lime House)
          • Leunhuys (Lean House)
          • Loof en Eerhuys (Praise and Honour house)
          • Lijn’s Zweefhuys (Lijn's Floating House)
          • Lavelhuys (Lavel House)
          • Leerhuys (Learning House)
          • Glijhuys (Sliding House)
          • Loerhuys (Looking House)
          • Lariekoek Huys (Humbug House)
          • Lach Huys (Laugh House)
          • Leed Huys (House of Pain)
          • Slakkenhuys (Snails House)
        • Square - Anton Pieckplein (Anton Pieck Square) >
          • Muzikantenpoort (Musicians Gate)
          • Het Ballonnenvrouwtje ( The Balloon lady)
          • Het Efteling Museum (The Efteling Museum)
          • De Bremerse Stadsmuziekanten (Town Musicians of Bremen)
          • Het Smidje (The Smithy)
          • De Vlinder Molen (The Butterfly Carousel)
          • Den Kleine Zweefmolen (The Little Chair Swing Ride)
          • Den Grote Zweefmolen (The Big Chair Swing Ride)
          • De Anton Pieck Molen (The Anton Pieck Carousel)
          • De Drinkebroer (The Drinking Fellow)
          • Zwaan Kleef Aan (The Golden Swan)
          • De Gekroonde Eend (The Crowned Duck)
          • Vermolenmolen (Milled Mill)
          • Het Ganzenhoedstertje (The Goose Girl)
          • De Stenen Kip (The Stone Hen)
      • Reizenrijk (Travelrealm) >
        • Path - Dubbellaan
        • Speelweide (Play Meadow)
        • Carnaval Festival
        • Sirocco
        • Vogelrok (Bird Roc)
        • Kleuterhof (Toddlers Court)
        • Siervijver (Decorative Pond)
        • Archipel
        • De Gondoletta (The Gondoletta)
        • Pagode (Pagoda)
        • Path - De Steenen Brug (The Stone Bridge)
        • Wensput (Wishing Well)
        • Path - Stonehenge
        • Path - De Houten Brug (The Wooden Bridge)
        • Path - Siervijverpad
      • Ruigrijk (Rough Realm) >
        • Kinderspoor (The Children's Pedal Trains)
        • Game Gallery
        • De Halve Maen (The Half Moon)
        • D'Oude Tuffer (The Old Puffer)
        • Nest!
        • Stoomtrein (Steamtrain)
        • Spot - Python Field
        • Python
        • Joris En De Draak (George And The Dragon)
        • De Vliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman)
        • Path - Duinpad (Dune path)
        • Baron 1898
      • Anderrijk (Other Realm) >
        • Fabula
        • De Dierenwereld (The Animal World)
        • Piraña Tuin
        • Path - Piraña Island
        • Piraña
        • New in 2024: Dance Macabre
        • Path - Heksenpad (Witches Path)
        • Max & Moritz
        • Square - Max & Moritz Plein (Max & Moritz Square)
        • Fata Morgana (Mirage)
      • Rides closed for maintenance
      • Seasonal Events >
        • Spring
        • Summer Efteling >
          • Midsummer Night >
            • Midsummer Festival 2017
            • Midsummer Festival 2016
            • Midsummer Festival 2015
          • Summer Events >
            • Summer Events 2022
            • Summer Events 2019
            • Summer Events 2018
            • Summer Events 2017
            • Summer Events 2016
            • Summer Events 2015
            • Summer Events 2014
            • Summer Events 2013
        • Autumn
        • Winter Efteling >
          • Winter Events >
            • Winter Events 2022-2023
            • Winter Events 2021-2022
            • Winter Events 2020-2021
            • Winter Events 2019-2020
            • Winter Events 2018-2019
            • Winter Events 2017-2018
            • Winter Events 2016-2017
            • Winter Events 2015-2016
            • Winter Events 2014-2015
            • Winter Events 2012-2013
          • New Years Eve >
            • New Years Eve 2022-2023
            • New Years Eve 2021-2022
            • New Years Eve 2019-2020
            • New Years Eve 2018-2019
            • New Years Eve 2017-2018
            • New Years Eve 2016-2017
            • New Years Eve 2015-2016
            • New Years Eve 2014-2015
    • Park
    • Entertainment
    • Guest Services >
      • Bicycle Storage
      • Parking
      • Cloakroom
      • Cash Machines
      • E.H.B.O. (First Aid)
      • Quiet Room
      • Lost
      • Disability
      • Baby Switch
      • Photopass
      • Single Rider Queue
      • Bins - Holle Bolle Gijs (Big Mouth)
      • Toilets >
        • W.C. Huis Van De Vijf Zintuigen (House Of the Five Senses)
        • W.C. Efteling Theatre
        • W.C. Fabula
        • W.C. Outside Polles Keuken (Polles Kitchen)
        • W.C. Inside Polles Keuken (Polles Kitchen)
        • W.C. Carouselpaleis (Carousel Palace)
        • W.C. Kleine Boodschap (Little Message)
        • W.C. t' Gemack (The Comfort)
        • W.C. Het Witte Paard (The White Horse)
        • W.C. Droomvlucht (Dreamflight)
        • W.C. Het Wapen Van Raveleijn
        • W.C. Carnaval Festival
        • W.C. Achter de Meermin (Behind the Mermaid)
        • W.C. Station De Oost (The Eastern Station)
        • New in 2023: W.C. De Laetste Hoop (The Last Hope)
        • W.C. Bäckerei Krümel (Bakery Crumb)
        • W.C. Fata Morgana
      • Souvenir Express
    • Souvenirs >
      • Efteldingen
      • Penny Press Machines
      • Donkey Lift Your Tail
      • Marskramer
      • Spiegeltje, Spiegeltje (Mirror, Mirror)
      • Het Smidje (The Smithy)
      • De Gekroonde Eend (The Crowned Duck)
      • De Stenen Kip (The Stone Hen)
      • Dromerijen
      • Confetti
      • Jokies Wereld (Jokies World)
      • De Bazaar
      • Fabula Savannebar
      • New in 2024: Dr. Charlatans Kwalycke Zaken (Dr. Charlatans Objectionable Wares)
      • Twinkel Depot
    • Opening Hours
    • Weather
    • Group Arrangements
    • Reviews
  • Food
    • Efteling Park >
      • Pinokkio's restaurant
      • Loreley
      • Chez Vitalis Event Space
      • Coffee Cart
      • Hollandsche Gebakkraam (Dutch pastry stand)
      • ​Fabula Wereldkeuken (Fabula World Kitchen)
      • Fabula Savannebar
      • De Gebrande Boon (The Roasted Bean)
      • Glad Ijs (Smooth Ice)
      • Polles Keuken (Polles Kitchen)
      • De Smaeckmaker (The Taste Maker)
      • Rondje Van De Molen (The Mill's Round)
      • Diorama Cafe
      • Carousel Paleis Bar (Carousel Palace)
      • Kogeloog (Bullet Eye)
      • Kleyne Klaroen (Little Clarion)
      • Gelaarsde kat (Puss In Boots)
      • ' t Gebraad (The Roast)
      • Het Witte Paard (The White Horse)
      • Ijssalon La Dame Blanche
      • Het Wapen van Raveleijn (The Weapon of Raveleijn)
      • Den Gulden Gaarde (The Golden Whisk)
      • Hoorn Des Overvloeds (Horn Of Plenty)
      • Ijssalon Den Suykerbuyk (Ice Cream Parlor The Sugarbelly)
      • Smulpaap II (Gourmand II) >
        • Den Olycke Tweelingh (The ​Mischievous Twins)
      • T poffertje (The Little Dutch Pancake)
      • De Soete Inval (The Sweets Invasion)
      • ' t Suykerhuys
      • Confetti
      • Kashba >
        • Nomad
      • T Korfje (The Little Hive)
      • Flierefluiter (Fidlyfidler)
      • Toko pagode (Toko Pagode)
      • De Meermin (The Mermaid)
      • De Verleiding (The Temptation)
      • Station De Oost (The Eastern Station) >
        • De Hongerige Machinist (The Hungry Engineer)
        • Wachtruimte 1e Klas (1st Class Waiting Room)
        • De Verse Oogst (The Fresh Harvest)
        • De Brutale Aap (The Cheeky Monkey)
        • De Rustende Reiziger (The Resting Traveller)
      • De Likkebaerd
      • ’t Verwende Nest! (The Spoiled Brat!)
      • De Kombuys (The Galley)
      • Het Melkhuysje (The Milk House)
      • Yoghurt Bar/De Verkleumde Kompel
      • Casa caracol (Snail House)
      • New in 2023: In den Swarte kat (In The Black Cat)
      • New in 2023: ’t Koetshuys (The Coach House)
      • Bäckerei Krümel
      • Frau Boltes Küche
      • Burger Backerij (Burger Bakery)
      • Oase (Oasis)
      • De Eigenheymer
      • Unox
      • Food Dispensers
      • Picnic Spots
    • Bosrijk >
      • Bosrijk Eethuys >
        • Eethuys Food Delivery Service
      • Kleyn Warehuis (Little Warehouse)
    • Het Loonsche Land >
      • De Proeftuyn
    • Efteling Hotel >
      • Roomservice
      • De Gelagkamer
      • De Hoffelijke Heraut
      • Koninklijke Kasteelzaal (Royal Castle Hall)
    • Kaatsheuvel >
      • Supermarket
    • Tilburg >
      • Supermarket
  • Transport
  • Accommodation
    • Bosrijk >
      • Benefits >
        • Standard Services
        • Bosrijk Information Book
      • Reception
      • Eethuys >
        • Eethuys Food Delivery Service
        • Groceries Service
        • Party Package
      • Kleyn Waerenhuys (Little Warehouse) Store
      • Badhuys (Bath House)
      • Klaas Vaak Show (Mr Sandman Show)
      • Nature
      • Poorthuys Familiekamers (Gatehouse Family Rooms) >
        • Poorthuys Familiekamers (Gatehouse Family Rooms) Sleeps 4
      • Landhuys Rooms (Manor House Rooms) >
        • Landhuys Secluded Familiekamer (Manor House Family room) Sleeps 4​
        • VIP Landhuys Familiekamer (Manor House Family room) Sleeps 4​
      • Boshuys (Woodland Cottages) >
        • Boshuys (Woodland Cottage) Sleeps 6
        • VIP Boshuys (VIP Woodland Cottage) Sleeps 6
        • Boshuys (Woodland Cottage) Sleeps 8
        • VIP Boshuys (VIP Woodland Cottage) Sleeps 8
      • Dorpshuys (Village Cottages) >
        • Dorpshuys (Village House) Sleeps 6
        • Dorpshuys (Village House) Sleeps 8
      • Group Accommodation Sleeps 12
      • Specially adapted Cottages
      • Reviews
      • Booking >
        • Travel Documents
    • Het Loonsche Land >
      • Benefits
      • Reception
      • De Proeftuyn
      • Eethuys Food Delivery Service
      • De Pluktuyn
      • De Hooimijt
      • Nature
      • Hotel Rooms >
        • Hotel Room Sleeps 5
        • Hotel Room Sleeps 6
      • Themed Rooms >
        • Tree View Sleeps 4
        • Tree View Sleeps 6
        • Lake View Sleeps 6
        • Dune View Sleeps 6
      • Holiday Homes >
        • Holiday Home Sleeps 6 >
          • Holiday Home Woodland House Sleeps 6
          • Holiday Home Heathland House Sleeps 6
          • Holiday Home Dune House Sleeps 6
        • Holiday Home Sleeps 12 >
          • Holiday Home Woodland House Sleeps 12
          • Holiday Home Dune House Sleeps 12
          • Holiday Home Schaapskooi Sleeps 12
    • Efteling Hotel >
      • Benefits
      • Amenities
      • Rooms >
        • Double Comfort Room (2 people)
        • Family Comfort Room (4 People)
        • 5 Person Comfort Room
        • Junior Suite
        • Excellence Suite
        • The Guilded Suite
        • Coca Cola Suite
        • Circus Suite
        • Carrousel Suite
        • Wonderwater Suite
        • Kings Suite
        • Pardoes Suite
        • Laaf Suite
        • The Flying Dutchman Suite
        • Raveleijn Suite
        • Fata Morgana Suite
        • Hans Christian Andersen Suite
        • Sprookjesboom Suite
        • Cinderella Suite
        • Sleeping Beauty Suite
        • Red Riding Hood
        • Hansel and Gretel Suite
        • Snow White Suite
        • The Wolf and the 7 Kids Suite
      • Booking
      • Reviews
    • Efteling Grand Hotel opens 2024
    • Other
  • TV
  • News
    • 2020 - Current
    • 2010 - 2019
    • 2000-2009
    • 1990-1999
    • 1980-1989
    • 1970-1979
    • 1960-1969
    • 1950-1959
    • 1940-1949
    • 1930-1939
  • Photos
  • Contact
  • Downloads
  • Links

Nature

Picture
Until the Middle Ages the Loonsche Land was a mostly wild and uncultivated area. Due to the growth in the population the demand for farmland increased, so farmers began planting crops on their land. Villages soon developed around this fertile land. The story is that one of the farms was called the Ersteling, and that the theme park got its name from that farm.
 
When around 1850 the demand for oak increased, the farmers converted their fields into oak coppices. The villages disappeared and through the years made way for oak and pine trees for the paper and mining industries.

​A rich tanners family retained possession of a part of the Loonsche Land, until Efteling bought it in 1960. Together with the Natuurmonumenten society for preservation of nature monuments and the Brabantse Milieufederatie Brabant Environmental Federation, the once totally overgrown area was restored to its former glory (2005). The historical elements of the landscape became visible again.

Today you will find dense woods, open heather and wheat fields on various height levels. Home to ​squirrels, hares, rabbits and bats, the occasional deer and grazing sheep.

​Somewhere in the Loonsche Land there is a 120 year old giant red beech. Go and stand below its branches. You will see that the branches reach down to the ground, and surround you like a natural cathedral.

​There is also a small circular walk attached to the estate called 'Keienspoor' 
The Loonsche Land is adjacent to the vast National Park de Loonse en Drunense Duinen
which has dense forests, open fields of heather, dunes and a sheep pasture.
The holiday village blends harmoniously with this 50 hectare nature area.

Reception has a box you can borrow full of things that can help your children discover nature. 
Recommended for children between 4 and 12 years of age. 
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