As part of 't Goeie van Brabant, we interview several entrepreneurs in the region. We ask them what they have to offer and what Toerisme De Baronie means to them. Read below the interview with John and Jolanda Jansen of Camping Het Gilzer Lindehof in Gilze.

What can tourists come here for?
The campsite has twenty-five spacious pitches, seven of which will become permanent chalets. Because of the agricultural surroundings, a Haystack has been chosen as a Reception and animal shelter. This has yet to be realised. You can stay at this campsite for short or longer periods. We have a special family field, suitable for a weekend with family. It is a beautiful area for cyclists, hikers and horse riders who want to enjoy the real outdoors carefree. The campsite is located at the edge of the Chaamse bos and you can easily cycle to Breda or Belgium, for example. Accessibility is very good in this area because of the middle junction network. You will enjoy the peace, the views and the rural atmosphere here! Furthermore, in the village of Gilze, you will find good eateries where you can enjoy a burgundian meal.

What makes this campsite unique?
The unique thing about this campsite is that you can also stay there in winter. This campsite is only closed for six weeks, from 1 Nov to 15 Dec. Winter camping is increasingly popular and we like to respond to that. You can stay here with family and friends during the holidays (Christmas and New Year). There is a heated, luxurious sanitary building. Furthermore, the spacious pitches have their own water and electricity supply. The location is unique, small-scale and provides a cosy atmosphere.

What is Toerisme De Baronie to you?
A nice group of people who are very active in putting Gilze-Rijen and its surroundings more on the map. We are very enthusiastic! You see more and more that there is a shift from the original work (e.g. farming) to providing recreational opportunities.

Do you have any tips for Toerisme De Baronie?
Keep up the good work, you guys are having fun this way! Organising activities for members is fun and educational. It might be fun to organise a day with a cycling or walking tour combined with a stay. We are also members of the 'Friends on a Bike' foundation, a nice initiative to do something with.

Future plans in the area
There are plans to widen and meander the Wouwerbeek in the future to capture excess water, which would otherwise flow towards Breda. The NLGR has submitted a plan to the municipality. https://www.natuurlijkgilzerijen.nl/9-maart-een-ontmoeting-met-de-wouwerbeek/
There is an initiative from the State Forestry Commission to realise a cycle lane. https://www.bd.nl/tilburg-e-o/alphen-chaam-gaat-voor-realisatie-fietsallee-in-2019~a6e92f7d/?referrer=https://www.google.com/
In the municipality of Alphen-Chaam, the desire to construct a cycle lane: a wide, 11-kilometre-long cycle connection, between Ulvenhout and the Bels Lijntje in Alphen, the tourist cycle path over the original Tilburg-Turnhout railway line, had been under discussion for some time. Staatsbosbeheer, the Gilze-Rijen and Alphen-Chaam municipalities have now found each other in this plan.

Want to know more, take a look at the Camping Het Gilzer Lindehof page
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