It is situated about 6 km southeast of Elburg, on the edge of the Veluwe forest.

The village is called 't Harde because it was built on a patch of solid ground in the middle of a swamp.

The pool was also used as a water supply to extinguish any fires that occurred in the vicinity of the village.

In 1970, the swimming pool drew national attention, as local youths demonstrated for it be to be opened on Sundays, clashing with police.

Between 1961 and 1992, the local army base had a depository for U.S. tactical nuclear weapons.