Picture a place where Amsterdammers have spent generations making summer memories. This is Camping Bakkum. Right here on the edge of Bakkum village and the North Sea lies a piece of Dutch history. It’s a 56-hectare slice of the Noordhollands Duinreservaat a water catchment area.
Camping Bakkum began humbly in 1914. Princess Luise zu Wied a German princess allowed people to pitch tents on her private estate. Officially it opened in 1928. It claims the title of the oldest campsite in the Netherlands although other campsites contest this.
The campsite is unique because of its location. It’s in a water reserve. This means strict rules govern the accommodation. Every winter the living quarters must be removed. Early campers used tents and simple wooden huts. Later the caravan became king.
Camping Bakkum is affectionately known as ‘Amsterdam aan Zee’ or ‘Klein Mokum’. The nickname reflects the large number of Amsterdammers who frequent the site. Many have permanent pitches and return year after year for decades. It really is like a little Amsterdam by the sea.
The Second World War dramatically altered the campsite’s rhythm. In 1941 the German Wehrmacht commandeered Camping Bakkum for a V1 rocket launch facility. They laid mines and built bunkers. After the war the area was cleared but bunkers remained. Some were even used as shops impacting operations until their demolition in 1973.
From simple cloth tents to wooden cabins to modern caravans. Camping Bakkum evolved reflecting changing lifestyles. The original wooden huts still stand. They’re erected around March 15th and dismantled by October 15th. Imagine the yearly ritual of assembling and storing these temporary summer homes.
The campsite’s history is full of quirky tales. Early campers slept on straw sacks buying bales for 35 cents. In the 1940s and 50s reserving a spot was a mad dash with people racing to claim a numbered marker. Even hired runners participated in this race for the best campsite.
Camping Bakkum is more than just tents and caravans. It has a rich social life too. There were shops a school and even a church tent. A local doctor held a clinic there offering free advice. The campsite even had its own post office located inside a bunker.
The community spirit was strong. Generations of families spent their summers there forging friendships. This special bond inspired a TV series called ‘De camping’ capturing the lives of the Amsterdammers at Bakkum.
Today Camping Bakkum continues to charm visitors. It’s a place to connect with nature yet enjoy some modern conveniences. Visit Camping Bakkum and experience a unique piece of Dutch history. You might even hear echoes of the ‘Bakkumlied’ a song written by one of the first campers. A song that captures the joy and the simple magic of this special place.