Enriched in family legacy and intergenerational transition, Hidden Acres: Malahide Escapes was developed from history and legacy. The recently opened hidden oasis glamping pods and guesthouse allow guests to immerse themselves in a world of tranquillity and harmony amongside animals and nature.
What once began as a family horticulture farm, founded in 1963 by Wim and his wife Bep Ruiter who emigrated from the Netherlands, has now become a modern, country escape.
With four upscale, modern glamping pods, each with its own wood-burning hot tub, and a seven-bedroom guesthouse that can cater for large groups, each generation of the family has added their own stamp on the enterprise – showing what can happen with succession and taking a leap of faith.
The now 93-year-old Wim Ruiter arrived in Ireland in 1957, bringing his knowledge and Dutch sense of adventure.
“I landed in Wicklow first and spent two years there. Friends of my wife Bep were already here, and there was a vacancy for a manager on a large 250ac farm, which I managed for a few years. It wasn’t really what I wanted as I was more interested in horticulture,” explains Wim. His parents back home in the Netherlands worked in horticulture, and Wim had been helping out from the age of five, growing all types of vegetables for the local market.
Things changed for Wim and Bep when they got a call from a company that was freezing vegetables called Fresh Foods, resulting in the couple moving to Kinsealy Lane in Malahide. They spent many years growing vegetables, including beans, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots and beetroot, “anything you could freeze,” adds Wim.
In 1963, they bought their own slice of land and started the family horticultural farm in Malahide. Wim, at the same time, was also making a name for himself by bringing new knowledge, methods and work to the area of horticulture. He became known as the Dutchman who came over with the knowledge that the Irish didn’t have yet.
“At the time, there was nothing to do in the area, and I brought employment,” he says.
Busloads of farmers from all around Ireland would come to the farm to meet Wim and hear about his growing techniques, as well as learning about artificial fertiliser which wasn’t yet well known in Ireland.
Wim Ruiter pictured with his son Albert (standing) and grandchildren Sarah and David Ruiter, who are now running Hidden Acres; below, one of the glamping pods. \ Claire Nash
In 1989, Albert, one of their sons, took over the running of the farm, growing vegetables until 2019. But he saw even more potential in the land. Now, Albert and his two adult children, Sarah and David, run Hidden Acres as a tourist destination, and Wim is delighted to have his grandchildren now involved.
Albert says, “Originally, we sold vegetables for the market, and later, we grew herbs for local businesses. The market was great but you could see it was becoming harder work. In the early-2000s herbs were becoming more popular. We started off with coriander as that was a big one, I got in at a good time.”
However, the weather and the impact of climate change, as well as increased competition, posed challenges to the business.
“In 2019, we said we would give agri tourism a go, which was when Sarah came into the business,” says Albert.
In February 2020, he planted 1,000 native Ireland trees and built the paddocks for the animals, which now include alpacas, pigs, donkeys, goats and rabbits.
“While he was getting the site beautified, I studied hospitality and business in Dundalk Institute of Technology,” explains Sarah.
David followed in his father’s footsteps and completed a Level 8 horticulture course in TU Dublin.
The pods arrived on site two years ago, but Sarah, Albert and David have built the business in phases. They have also been renovating the guest house, while designing the interiors and making plans for the gardens and animals.
“We wanted to create something where guests could nearly share the space that we have enjoyed our whole lives. We’re not open to the public, you have to be a guest; it’s actually for the hidden experience – there are circular windows in the pods so you can look out at the animals the minute you wake up,” explains Sarah.
Hidden Acres officially opened in April 2025. With their first summer season behind them, the family say it was definitely a learning experience. But their favourite part of the four-year development has been the people they are now meeting who have chosen this hidden oasis as somewhere to escape from their normal everyday lives.
“Each guest that comes in the door hears the story of how Hidden Acres began; some of them are even lucky enough to meet Wim,” says Sarah.
One of the glamping pods with a private hot tub. \ Claire Nash
For anyone looking into farm diversification or agri tourism, Albert advises not to put pressure on yourself when it comes to timelines and getting things finished.
He adds, “The financial aspect can be daunting for people starting, and almost impossible. There are very few supports in our area because we are so urban. We were very lucky we didn’t have to borrow too heavily,” he says.
The family work well together as they are all different and have their own role in the business. Although Albert says Sarah is the boss, they all make the final decision together.
“Every day is a learning day; you have to make a mistake and learn from it. You’re doing your research and taking every day as it comes,” says Sarah. “The final piece of the puzzle will never be finished, I think it will always be a work in progress. If you’re stagnant, you are going backwards.”
Sadly, before the start of their first season, Bep passed away (March 2025) but the roots that she and Wim put down on the land continue to develop.
“I am proud of the whole family and everyone who is involved,” says Wim. “I could be here in a lonely place all by myself, but there is always something going on here; I am never bored. My wife and I have both enjoyed it [the land] so much,” Wim says.
Guests can stay at Hidden Acres from €250 a night, depending on the time of the year.
See hiddenacres.ie
The five glamping pods that people can stay in. \ Claire Nash
Enriched in family legacy and intergenerational transition, Hidden Acres: Malahide Escapes was developed from history and legacy. The recently opened hidden oasis glamping pods and guesthouse allow guests to immerse themselves in a world of tranquillity and harmony amongside animals and nature.
What once began as a family horticulture farm, founded in 1963 by Wim and his wife Bep Ruiter who emigrated from the Netherlands, has now become a modern, country escape.
With four upscale, modern glamping pods, each with its own wood-burning hot tub, and a seven-bedroom guesthouse that can cater for large groups, each generation of the family has added their own stamp on the enterprise – showing what can happen with succession and taking a leap of faith.
The now 93-year-old Wim Ruiter arrived in Ireland in 1957, bringing his knowledge and Dutch sense of adventure.
“I landed in Wicklow first and spent two years there. Friends of my wife Bep were already here, and there was a vacancy for a manager on a large 250ac farm, which I managed for a few years. It wasn’t really what I wanted as I was more interested in horticulture,” explains Wim. His parents back home in the Netherlands worked in horticulture, and Wim had been helping out from the age of five, growing all types of vegetables for the local market.
Things changed for Wim and Bep when they got a call from a company that was freezing vegetables called Fresh Foods, resulting in the couple moving to Kinsealy Lane in Malahide. They spent many years growing vegetables, including beans, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots and beetroot, “anything you could freeze,” adds Wim.
In 1963, they bought their own slice of land and started the family horticultural farm in Malahide. Wim, at the same time, was also making a name for himself by bringing new knowledge, methods and work to the area of horticulture. He became known as the Dutchman who came over with the knowledge that the Irish didn’t have yet.
“At the time, there was nothing to do in the area, and I brought employment,” he says.
Busloads of farmers from all around Ireland would come to the farm to meet Wim and hear about his growing techniques, as well as learning about artificial fertiliser which wasn’t yet well known in Ireland.
Wim Ruiter pictured with his son Albert (standing) and grandchildren Sarah and David Ruiter, who are now running Hidden Acres; below, one of the glamping pods. \ Claire Nash
In 1989, Albert, one of their sons, took over the running of the farm, growing vegetables until 2019. But he saw even more potential in the land. Now, Albert and his two adult children, Sarah and David, run Hidden Acres as a tourist destination, and Wim is delighted to have his grandchildren now involved.
Albert says, “Originally, we sold vegetables for the market, and later, we grew herbs for local businesses. The market was great but you could see it was becoming harder work. In the early-2000s herbs were becoming more popular. We started off with coriander as that was a big one, I got in at a good time.”
However, the weather and the impact of climate change, as well as increased competition, posed challenges to the business.
“In 2019, we said we would give agri tourism a go, which was when Sarah came into the business,” says Albert.
In February 2020, he planted 1,000 native Ireland trees and built the paddocks for the animals, which now include alpacas, pigs, donkeys, goats and rabbits.
“While he was getting the site beautified, I studied hospitality and business in Dundalk Institute of Technology,” explains Sarah.
David followed in his father’s footsteps and completed a Level 8 horticulture course in TU Dublin.
The pods arrived on site two years ago, but Sarah, Albert and David have built the business in phases. They have also been renovating the guest house, while designing the interiors and making plans for the gardens and animals.
“We wanted to create something where guests could nearly share the space that we have enjoyed our whole lives. We’re not open to the public, you have to be a guest; it’s actually for the hidden experience – there are circular windows in the pods so you can look out at the animals the minute you wake up,” explains Sarah.
Hidden Acres officially opened in April 2025. With their first summer season behind them, the family say it was definitely a learning experience. But their favourite part of the four-year development has been the people they are now meeting who have chosen this hidden oasis as somewhere to escape from their normal everyday lives.
“Each guest that comes in the door hears the story of how Hidden Acres began; some of them are even lucky enough to meet Wim,” says Sarah.
One of the glamping pods with a private hot tub. \ Claire Nash
For anyone looking into farm diversification or agri tourism, Albert advises not to put pressure on yourself when it comes to timelines and getting things finished.
He adds, “The financial aspect can be daunting for people starting, and almost impossible. There are very few supports in our area because we are so urban. We were very lucky we didn’t have to borrow too heavily,” he says.
The family work well together as they are all different and have their own role in the business. Although Albert says Sarah is the boss, they all make the final decision together.
“Every day is a learning day; you have to make a mistake and learn from it. You’re doing your research and taking every day as it comes,” says Sarah. “The final piece of the puzzle will never be finished, I think it will always be a work in progress. If you’re stagnant, you are going backwards.”
Sadly, before the start of their first season, Bep passed away (March 2025) but the roots that she and Wim put down on the land continue to develop.
“I am proud of the whole family and everyone who is involved,” says Wim. “I could be here in a lonely place all by myself, but there is always something going on here; I am never bored. My wife and I have both enjoyed it [the land] so much,” Wim says.
Guests can stay at Hidden Acres from €250 a night, depending on the time of the year.
See hiddenacres.ie
The five glamping pods that people can stay in. \ Claire Nash
SHARING OPTIONS