Pick your own fruit and flowers

Texel has a long agricultural tradition, and visitors who want a break from the beach can get a taste of it by visiting farms and gardens where they can pick their own fruit and flowers. The island's sandy soil, its mild maritime climate and its long hours of sunshine allow a surprising variety of crops, and a number of small growers open their fields to the public during the season. The activity is especially popular in late spring and summer, when the colours are at their brightest.

Picking your own is a simple pleasure. You are given a basket or scissors, shown the rows and left to harvest what you like, paying by weight or by the bunch when you leave. Berries such as strawberries ripen early in the season, followed by other soft fruit, and cut flowers in the late summer bring colour to the fields. For children, it is a chance to learn where food comes from, and for adults it is an easy and pleasant way to take home a souvenir. Check the opening times and what is in season before travelling, since these vary from farm to farm.

The idea of a food forest is also associated with the island. A food forest is a garden designed to imitate a natural woodland, with layers of trees, shrubs and ground plants that provide edible crops with relatively little intervention, and it is part of a wider movement towards sustainable farming. Where such gardens are open to visitors, they offer a different way of seeing agriculture, with an emphasis on biodiversity and soil health.

Texel is famous for its sheep, which graze on the dikes and dune pastures, and its lamb and cheese are well known on the mainland. Local beer and other regional products are sold in farm shops and cafes, and the island's tourist offices can supply a list of farms that welcome visitors. Combined with the beaches, Ecomare and the lighthouse, a farm visit makes a satisfying day.

This stop suits families, couples and anyone who enjoys local food. Bring cash or a card, sturdy shoes for muddy paths, sun protection and a bag or basket to carry your harvest. Cycling between farms is a pleasant way to travel across the island.