Blog Nature Gate of Loon
As the sun shines through the trees and the dew rises from the meadows, I drive to Loon op Zand for my blog appointment at Nature Gate (and riding school) Van Loon. I couldn't have picked a more beautiful day, autumn is my favorite season to visit nature!
Once I arrive at my destination, I park my car in the spacious parking lot. Despite the early hour, there are already several cars parked there. I look around and see someone tinkering with his MTB, further down the road a somewhat older couple is walking with a couple of dogs, and next to the parking lot a mother with two young children (wearing colorful rain boots) shoots into a forest path. It's already clear to me: whether you want to take a long walk with your dogs, let your toddlers romp around, or take your MTB for a sandy ride, this is a popular base for anyone who wants to get out into nature.
Then our intern Nicole arrived as well. She wanted to see how such a blog visit works. We walk together to the entrance and as we enter the café at Natuurpoort Van Loon we hear a pleasant murmur from those present. Nicole and I check in with a staff member and get a cup of coffee while we wait for our appointment, owner Jan van Loon. A large window in the café overlooks the riding arena so that while we drink our coffee we can watch the lesson taking place there.
Before long, Jan comes over to us. He pulls up a chair and we are soon chatting. I ask Jan about how Riding School and Natuurpoort Van Loon came into being. Jan explains that in 1967 his father started in the middle of the village Loon op Zand with a few ponies and pony walking at the Loon fair. In the following weeks he had the first lesson clients After a year and a half he had lesson clients and within a few years it grew out of its capacity with 25 horses. When the house and stables of the calf fattening farm on the edge of De Loonse en Drunense Duinen Jan van Loon Sr. decided to move to a larger equestrian center. At that time he had a boarding house with room for 60 horses. The stables was expanded with a canteen and a camp house. Lessons, outdoor rides and pony camps were organized and there were about 30 to 40 horses.
Around 1990 it was time to say goodbye to the boarding horses and Jan sr. decided to focus more on recreation. It turned out to be a gap in the market: especially from the suburbs there was a lot of demand for (day) recreation and weekend arrangements. By buying the property and land of the neighbor in 1990 the company was able to expand even further. Hiker's huts and 11 hotel rooms were added and a larger catering facility with a ballroom was built to facilitate company and family celebrations.
I conclude that Jan Sr. is a true entrepreneur and Jan Jr. can only agree. And Jan jr., in turn, received that entrepreneurship as well as the love of horses "from the very beginning. As a child he could be found in and around the stables a lot and he liked to help his father. Jan decided to follow the HBO study Management Equine Husbandry and Sport in Dronten and then work in the family business. Since 2023, he has been the official owner. "But my father is still actively present every day" he lets us know.
Now that Jan jr. is owner he gives it his own twist. The focus is currently on pony camps, outdoor rides, bike rentals, catering and hotel. On the rural grounds of Natuurpoort Van Loon you will find hiking cabins, hotel rooms and a group accommodation. "In total, about 70 people can stay overnight" Jan proudly shares.
In addition, Jan plans to revive company and family parties and organizes the "Van Loons Stamcafé" every first Friday of the month so that local residents have a nice meeting place where they can have a drink together. Since 2024, 'Van Loons birthday' has been celebrated on Ascension Day, because in those days the fair was also during Ascension Day. Jan wants to make it an annual festive day with a terrace, BBQ, old Dutch games and a tour of the entire grounds.
Jan proposes to walk around the grounds. We start at the terrace. I see a nice, spacious terrace in the middle of the greenery. I notice that there is no playground. That turns out to be a deliberate choice: "Children are very welcome, but we don't think a large playground would suit a large part of our target group. We do have a number of fun old Dutch games ready for young and old to enjoy themselves with." An understandable choice and the reactions to the games are always very positive, according to Jan. Who doesn't like a game of (life-size) four-in-a-row or man-er-je-not? In winter, the terrace is transformed into a cozy winter terrace with a tent, heaters and rugs.
Adjacent to the terrace is the entrance to the hotel building. We go in and Jan shows us one of the rooms. A simple but neat room with all the trimmings. I understand from Jan that the rooms will soon get a makeover. "A large family room for five has already been realized," he says. Jan shows me a spacious, modern room at the end of the corridor where the whole family can spend the night.
After the hotel rooms, we arrive at the former ballroom. This space has now made way for a bike rental with e-choppers and about 200 bikes (from MTBs to city bikes, from tandems to cargo bikes, from children's bikes to (electric) bikes for adults with a child seat if necessary). So would you like to rent a bike sometime when you are in Loon op Zand? At Manege en Natuurpoort van Loon you are guaranteed to find a suitable (electric) rental bike. Cycling to the Efteling (20 minutes by bike) or to the center of Waalwijk or Tilburg (both 35 minutes by bike) not having to look for a parking space. And how about cycling around De Loonse en Drunense Duinen. On our website there are many bicycle routes to discover the region!
Of course, we also take a look at the group accommodation, an old stable that has been converted into accommodation for 20 to 38 people. There are several dormitories with bunk beds, and there is a "dining room" and a "living room. There is also a kitchen, but it cannot be used for cooking. "We have several meal options that the groups can book with it such as buffet, French fries and BBQ," Jan informs. The group accommodation is in the middle of the property and there is plenty of indoor and outdoor space.
Through the group accommodation we come to the running stables where the horses stay. "Our 70 horses are actually always running nice and loose. They can go in and out whenever they want. Unless they are needed for grooming, lessons or an outdoor ride, they are free to go wherever they want on average about 21 hours a day." When Jan tells me that stable horses elsewhere can sometimes only go outside for a few hours a day, I can only conclude that the horses here are really lucky!
As we walk back to the parking lot, Jan tells me about the Hittax, a self-designed "carriage" that allows people with no riding experience to take an outdoor ride. The Hittax is safe for man and horse and suitable for 6 to 9 people. Thanks to the Hittax, everyone can experience De Loonse en Drunense Duinen on horseback. How cool!
It was very inspiring to hear Jan talk so passionately about the horses and the company. Jan is an enthusiastic entrepreneur who is full of ideas and I am sure his father is proud that the business is continuing and is in good hands. But I also understand that his father will stay busy for the time being in this beautiful, versatile business.
If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, Manege and Natuurpoort Van Loon in Loon op Zand is a wonderful base. If you are looking for a weekend in a cottage or hotel in nature, look no further. Combine your stay with a day at Efteling, less than 10 kilometers away, rent a bike, take a ride on a horse and with the Hittax through De Loonse en Drunense Duinen. From your cottage or hotel room you can walk straight into nature!
