The Village Farmhouse

Reviewed by Emily McDonnell

A celebration of the simplicity of country life, in a lovingly renovated 19th-century farmhouse, surrounded by unspoilt lakes

Type:
Self-catering apartments
Costs:
From €60
Sleeps:
Five hideouts for 2-5
Where?
Roggendorf, 3 hours from central Berlin

What?

Hidden amongst meadows and lakes, at the heart of the Schaalsee biosphere reserve, you stumble upon a collection of former farm buildings that have been given a new lease of life. Owners Jutta and Frank fell in love with the region, and spent weekend after weekend driving around in their Citroën 2CV in search of somewhere they could claim as their own. After finding this 19th-century farmhouse, they spent years loving restoring timbered cottages, wooden barns and old stone walls, giving nods to the history of the place. 


Country life is celebrated here, and inside you discover tiled stoves, wrought-iron bed frames and wicker chairs. Outside is just as mesmeric: the expansive gardens feature an orchard, a duck pond and vegetable patches. In spring, nesting songbirds swoop over hedges, through August, shooting stars light up the night’s sky, and in autumn, there’s no better place to be than curled up in front of the crackling fire. Whatever the season, Klein Thurow Farmhouse is the perfect countryside getaway.

Why?

I fell in love because...
  • The intricate attention to detail: rooms feature a mixture of historical furnishings and regional handmade pieces
  • Jutta and Frank’s love of the region radiates, and for good reason, this area is naturally stunning: they’re full of tips to help you have an exquisite weekend escape
You must...
  • Explore the Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve, it’s a region that still flies under-the-radar, but is utterly magnificent and never ceases to amaze
  • Meet the sheep! The three were originally bought to help keep the grass short, and now wander freely - check for them by the duck pond or in the orchard
You might dislike...
  • In high season, the apartments are rented out per week, but you can easily opt for the B&B for shorter stays
  • There’s no central heating, though there are cast-iron or wood-fired stoves should things get chilly
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© Hauke Dressler

Who?

Introducing Jutta and Frank! 

“We’d been searching and searching for somewhere to escape to in Mecklenburg, and stumbled upon this crumbling, wonky, beamed house that had been uninhabited for over 20 years in a sales catalogue. It was love at first sight!”


They love…

“We worked so hard to collect unique pieces to fill the hotel and apartments with, and love that each piece has a story. Frank’s favourite object is the Nordic chiselled stove, and Jutta’s is the small cupboard in the old barn that is now full of antique schnapps and liqueur glasses.”


 Jutta and Frank’s insider tips 

  • One of the most mesmerising things is the quiet! Laze in the garden and just absorb the restful sounds of the countryside
  • The largest lake in the area is Schaalsee, which is just 3 km away via field paths. Plus Goldensee and Röggeliner See, both also nearby, make for great excursions: don’t forget your swimming stuff!
  • The pair have created a map of 44 beautiful places to see by bike, from lakes and forests to villages and old churches, so get on two wheels and go exploring!
  • The Hanseatic cities of Lübeck and Wismar and the state capital Schwerin are worth seeing and the unknown Baltic Sea beaches of the Klützer Winkel are not far away

What people
are saying.

“We had a wonderful stay in the farmer’s cottage thanks to the very, very nice hosts. They gave us great recommendations, and we left feeling completely relaxed.”

Elisabeth

“The environment is fantastic and the accommodation is a real experience. The property is great, and we were even allowed to experience a sheep shearing!”

Rainer

The essentials.

  • Sleeping arrangements: There are three apartments, a B&B room, There’s also a “hostel” room in the barn, that sleeps up to 5 (it’s not shared with anyone else). In here is a double bed, and a wooden frame covered in freshly-harvested hay that can fit 3. 
  • Bathroom set up: Each apartment has its own bathroom, while the B&B room and Hostel room share a bathroom.
  • Food: Breakfast is available, and consists of locally-produced and seasonal delicacies. There’s a mix of cooking apparatus throughout, from hotplates to cast-iron stoves, and the nearby Hofladen (farm shop) is a great place to stock up on delicious goodies. 
  • For families: The hay hostel is a lot of fun for little ones! Alternatively, the apartments all make for great options, and one - Alte Kate - has a special children’s bed. 
  • On-site equipment: WiFi is available in the barn only!
  • Optional extras: There are bikes available to rent.
  • Help: Jutta and Frank are on hand with helpful hints and tips.
  • Remember to pack: Slippers!
  • Pets: Pups are welcome.
  • Sustainability: Jutta and Frank renovated using largely regional historical building materials, and have tried to be as environmentally-conscious as possible.

Where?

Klein Thurow Farmhouse is located in the tiny village of Roggendorf, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which has just over 30 inhabitants. 


It’s just under a 3-hour drive from Berlin. 


The closest station is Klein Thurow, Abzweig, just a 10-minute walk away, but getting there involves a few changes.

How?

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