Meeuwen Manor - A treasure near Amsterdam

I warmly welcome you to Meeuwen Manor, a well-known and distinctive historic house in Edam. Built in the 18th century, it acquired its present appearance around 1910. It stands on the Markermeer, beside UNESCO-listed Fort Edam and its nature reserve, 22 km from central Amsterdam. Enjoy a stylish, comfortable stay with full access to the wild, lush garden. The house is not fully renovated: some areas still need work, and your stay helps me finance the renovations. The space The apartment has its own entrance at the front and consists of a charming main room with a mantelpiece and several original period features. It contains a comfortable kingsize double boxspring bed measuring 210 by 180 centimeters. The bed, situated in a rear section, can be separated from the room by closing a thick curtain. There is no separate second sleeping arrangement available. In the kitchen: fridge, stove, cookware, two coffee machines and microwave. Bathroom with shower and separate toilet. The room has free WiFi and a TV including Netflix. Meeuwen Manor is located at Edam harbor, 1.5 kilometers from the center of Edam, a 15 minute walk. Just 300 meters away, you can swim at a small natural beach by the lake. There's also a better-equipped beach with showers nearby. The Markermeer is a superb spot for kitesurfing, right in front of the house. Behind Meeuwen Manor lies the green oasis of Fort Edam, which is also a small nature reserve. Inside the fort are four wonderfully quirky little museums devoted to radio communication, firefighting, local wildlife and the First World War, as well as an impressive underground labyrinth of wide, dark corridors where the soldiers lived. Around the fort is a moat where many species of birds breed, for instance the kingfisher that you may see darting past throughout the summer. Guest access Guests of Meeuwen Manor have access to the garden and may use the garden stairs to reach the roof. From there, they can enjoy beautiful views over the harbour and the Markermeer. The rest of the house is private and not accessible to guests. Other things to note My parents bought Meeuwen Manor in 1952, when it was a complete shambles—virtually a ruin. Over the next thirty years, my father restored it to its former splendor. I was born and raised here. In my early twenties, I moved to Amsterdam, where I spent most of my adult life. After my parents passed away, I returned to my birthplace. I am an editor and a live-music events producer. For the past eighteen years, I have produced and hosted Club Dauphine, a live-music show in Amsterdam that now takes place every other Friday. Around 1,500 artists have performed there over the years. I am happy to recommend places for live music, art and culture in Amsterdam and Edam. I am also passionate about nature and can tell you about the plants and wildlife around Meeuwen Manor, as well as other places of natural interest in the Netherlands. Edam is one of the best-preserved 16th- and 17th-century towns in the Netherlands. Its grand historic houses reflect the town’s former prosperity. Hoorn, 20 kilometers away, is beautiful, while the famous fishing village of Volendam is only 3 kilometers away. I especially recommend Marken, a former island with a maze of old wooden houses, many of them built on stilts. The windmills of the famous Zaanse Schans are a 30-minute drive away. Amsterdam, where I spent most of my adult life, is of course the greatest city in the Netherlands. Just ask me and I will gladly tell you about its museums, markets, bicycle rentals, restaurants, cinemas, concerts and the best places to dance the night away.