Van Cleef Fruit Farm

Who is this a real getaway for?

Do you like the idea of a short journey from the orchard to your shopping bag? Then this is a lovely stop-off. It’s particularly well-suited to cyclists, couples and families who like to take home local produce. There’s also plenty to browse through at your leisure for those who prefer to buy directly from the producer rather than in a large shop.

When will you visit?

Here, the seasons dictate what’s locally grown. In summer, sweet cherries appear, whilst as late summer and autumn approach, the focus shifts increasingly to apples and pears. A visit feels particularly fitting around harvest time. Bring a bag and see what’s fresh in the shop that week.

What to expect.

At Fruitbedrijf van Cleef, it’s all about locally grown fruit and a shop where you can browse at your leisure. Ron and Anita van Cleef’s family business began in 1987 with a small orchard of apple trees. Today, they grow various varieties of apples, pears and sweet cherries, and the farm shop offers more than just produce from the orchard.

Step inside and you’ll find home-grown fruit alongside seasonal vegetables, farmhouse cheese, eggs and local produce. Juices, syrups, jams and liqueurs are also made from their own harvest. Amidst all these delicacies, there’s something else that catches the eye: hand-painted Bunzlau Castle tableware. This makes it just as good a place to pick out a gift as it is to fill your fruit bowl.

Did you know that, according to current supplier information, the range includes nine varieties of apple, three varieties of pear and six varieties of cherry? It is precisely this variety that demonstrates how much care is devoted to the orchard throughout the year. Pruning takes place in winter, the blossoms require care in spring, and the harvest gets underway from summer through to autumn. It doesn’t feel like a regular shopping stop here. You buy directly from the people who grow the fruit and take a little piece of Belfeld home with you straight away.

Why this will be your favourite stop in the region

Van Cleef Fruit Farm fits perfectly into a day spent exploring North Limburg at a leisurely pace. Belfeld lies between the River Meuse and the countryside, with walking and cycling routes leading to destinations such as the weir, the Burgerbos and the Oude Zandgroeve. Popping into a local family-run business rounds off such a route perfectly. You can see where some of the local fruit comes from and take home a tasty treat straight away.

Practical info

You can expect to spend about half an hour to three quarters of an hour in the shop itself. A little longer if you’d like to browse the local produce and Bunzlau tableware at your leisure. Belfeld has a village-like, green atmosphere, with the River Meuse on one side and woods on the other. There is free parking at Fruitbedrijf van Cleef.

When are the gates open?

From 15 June to 1 October, you can pop in on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1.30 pm to 6.00 pm, according to the current shop opening times. On Fridays, the shop is open from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and again from 1.30 pm to 6.00 pm. On Saturdays, you are welcome from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.

From 1 October to 14 June, the shop is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. During this period, the shop is open on Thursdays from 1.30 pm to 6.00 pm, on Fridays from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 1.30 pm to 6.00 pm, and on Saturdays from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Our tip

Ask which fruit is truly in season at that time and, as well as the fresh fruit, take home some juice, jam or syrup made from the farm’s own harvest. That way, you can savour at home once more what you tasted that afternoon whilst strolling through the orchards.

Small check beforehand

We do our best to provide you with the right info, but before leaving, always check the site's own website for the very latest updates.