The creation of the Alfsee holiday and adventure park
As early as the 1960s, the Alfsee was planned as a rainwater retention basin to prevent flooding along the Hase River. Initially, the plan was to build the basin as a dry basin. However, it became essential that the rainwater retention basin not be built as a dry basin, but rather be kept constantly filled with a certain water level. Only in this way could the necessary appeal for recreational users and overnight guests be ensured.
The first investments were made in the late 1970s, resulting in the development of the Wulfetannen holiday home area with 157 holiday home plots and the campsite, which opened on April 1, 1980, with 341 pitches. In 1981, the water ski facility on Lake Dubbelau (a bathing lake) was added as the first attraction. The starting house was built in 1985, and the first water ski competition was held on Lake Alfsee that same year. The European Championships took place on Lake Alfsee in 1990. A water ski shop opened in 1992. Axel Torbecke leased the area in 1997 and founded Alfsee Wasserski GmbH. The water ski facility remains the main attraction on Lake Alfsee to this day. It has since been expanded to include a second lift and a mini-lift, which is particularly suitable for beginners.
From the late 1980s onwards, private investors settled in the Alfsee area. In 1991, the children's car park was built, followed a year later by the go-kart track. Two restaurants were also established: one directly adjacent to the Alfsee sailing school and the other on the Alfsee market square. The construction of the Bullermeck Funcenter (a play barn) in 2005 added further indoor attractions. Also in 2005, the Arche Alfsee, dedicated to the preservation of endangered animal breeds, was established. Visitors can gain comprehensive insights into these breeds at the petting zoo. In 2008, the largest hedge maze in Germany at the time was created in the immediate vicinity of the Arche Alfsee. Since then, these businesses have continued to develop and expand.
In addition to marketing several holiday home areas, the campsite was expanded by approximately 400 pitches in 2000/2001. The Alfsee Holiday and Adventure Park now has 750 campsites, which are divided equally between tourists and permanent campers. There are also eight caravans available for rent. The youth hostel was also built in 2000 and expanded in 2012.
In the winter of 2002/2003, two apartment buildings with a total of 16 apartments were constructed. Furthermore, in 2005, the existing youth campsite was transformed into a beach camp complex. This complex features seven Caribbean-style beach houses with a total of 94 beds.
Since 2008, Alfsee GmbH has operated a restaurant and hotel with 18 double rooms. The center also features a small grocery store, a shop selling camping equipment and toys, and a bicycle and go-kart rental service. Due to increasing demand, the hotel was expanded in 2012, and the 3-star superior Ringhotel Alfsee Piazza now boasts 46 rooms.
Lake Alfsee is a nature and bird sanctuary. As a result, sailing is now severely restricted, and the sailing school closed in 2012. The former boathouse was taken over by the municipality of Bersenbrück and converted into a nature conservation and education center. After only a short time in operation, the building burned down. It was reopened in 2024.
The holiday resort is constantly evolving. Since 2015, a regional theme has played a major role at the Alfsee Holiday and Adventure Park: the Germanic tribes. For the Germanic peoples have always been at home here. Not far away, in 9 AD, the legendary Battle of the Teutoburg Forest took place at Kalkriese, in which Varus's Roman legions were defeated. The elves, the guardian spirits of the Germanic tribes, were surely at their side. Now the elves have returned to Alfsee and accompany visitors and holidaymakers on an exciting journey through time.
A wellness area was built in 2015. The Alfen Saunaland is directly connected to the hotel and features a swimming pool, various saunas, a fitness room, and a salt grotto. Naturally, everything is designed in a Germanic style. The Alfen Saunaland is further complemented by a range of massage and beauty treatments.
The legendary Germanenland was completed in 2018. Three Germanic villages with a total of 30 houses for 4-6 people invite visitors to immerse themselves in the world of the Germanic peoples. Each house tells a fascinating story about the lives of the Germanic tribes as fishermen, potters, or basket weavers, and how their influence continues to this day.
In the adjacent adventure world, a lagoon, climbing logs, an oracle with a labyrinth, and many more tricky puzzles and stories await discovery by children and adults. The adventure world is a truly memorable experience.
In the winter of 2021/22, sanitary building 1 was demolished after more than 40 years and rebuilt to meet the needs of campers. At the same time, the utility lines on the site were renewed. Through continuous investment and expansion, the Alfsee Holiday and Adventure Park has been a flagship in the camping industry for years and, in addition to its 5-star superior rating, also boasts numerous accolades such as the ADAC Superplatz award.
