When I moved to The Hague, I was completely surprised by the local Stadsboerderijen, the local city farms, of which there are many. I have been to farms before and I like seeing animals on the fields and polders when travelling by train through the Netherlands, but these city farms have really conquered my heart. There are several of them in The Hague, but Stadsboerderij ’t Waaygat is my absolute favourite, for two reasons: Firstly, Stadsboerderij ’t Waaygat is located pretty close to one of my favourite cafés in The Hague (Tigershark), and secondly, it has the cutest and most relaxed cows I’ve ever encountered.

Stadsboerderij ’t Waaygat is located in Scheveningen and has existed since 1978. It is a little farm that is free to visit, offering lots of educational information about animals and the environment as well as giving people the chance to get close to animals like chickens, goats, sheep, cows, pigs, guinea pigs and so on. Stadsboerderij ’t Waaygat relies mostly on volunteers, from retired locals to school children: anyone can help, and anyone who cares about animals and the environment is welcome. I find the Stadsboerderijen in The Hague a beautiful initiative: connecting back to nature, raising your awareness of living beings other than humans and the instant feelings of calm when stroking an adorable animal. Stadsboerderij ’t Waaygat lifts my spirits every time I go there—and whether you’re on your own, with kids or with friends, it is a place for everyone!