ParksandGardens, Norrkoeping

Visit Rothoff Park, a park in the heart of Eskilstuna with a botanical orientation and a fun playground for the younger ones. Here there are flowers, berries, spices and trees to learn more about or simply enjoy. Despite its central position, Rothoffsparken is a quiet and harmonious place, framed by centuries-old oaks. Here you can take it easy or have fun, young and old. In the lush park, you can have a picnic, play football or simply relax. Despite its modern details, the park retains its 17th-century charm and is today a cultural heritage site, as well as one of the city's most famous parks. When you visit the Rothoff Park you are met by trees, shrubs and flowers but also a playground, a pond with arched small bridges and a beekeeper. All plants have small descriptive signs for those who want to learn more. In the pond, you can sometimes see carp swimming around and ducks, quietly floating around on the surface. In the playground, there are swings, a climbing frame, a trampoline and a rocking jeep for the adventurous. In addition to this, there is a large lawn with space for picnics, lunches and games. The main entrance to the park is met by the Rothoffsvillan - a stately building from the late 1800s that has given the park character for many years. https://eskilstuna.nu/gora/sevardheter/rothoffsparken#googtrans(sv|en)

Holmberget is a beautiful park in the middle of Torshälla. The park, which is more than 100 years old, is primarily the city gardener and the hometown enthusiast Georg Nyström's work. From the park, you have a beautiful view of the river and old Torshälla. Holmberget, originally a work of the city gardener and the hometown enthusiast Georg Nyström (1861-1944). He spent much of his life making Holmberget a distinguished park facility. During the summer season, entertainment is arranged at Holmberget's outdoor stage. On the mountain is also the restaurant Holmberget. Holmberg Park is also called Torshällas city park. It is provided with winding corridors, statues and beautiful views of old Torshälla. https://eskilstuna.nu/gora/sevardheter/holmberget-torshalla

An oasis in the middle of Örebro Stadsparken creates a perfect spot for strolling, jogging, sunbathing, playing a concert, picknicking, playing, inspiring or simply being in. There is also a year-round open-air café. http://www.visitorebro.se/en/gora/aktorer/stadsparken/

If you enjoy heart-thumping, adrenaline-pumping thrills then Kokpunkten is the place to go! http://visitvasteras.se/en/actor/kokpunkten/

Fun for kids – educational for adults. Kungsby has both wild and farm animals including cows, goats, pigs, rabbits, sheep, donkeys, moose and wild boar. http://visitvasteras.se/en/actor/kungsbyns-animal-park/

As far back as the Middle Ages, it was prescribed by law that the Crown had the sole right to make use of the country’s oak trees. Oak wood is excellent for shipbuilding, and to ensure access to oak timber for the Swedish fleet, major plantings of oak took place on Visingsö in the 1830s. Today the oak trees are ready for logging, but since the fleet uses other materials, the timber is used for other things. To ensure access to good timber for the Swedish fleet after the oak forests in Swedish Pomerania were inundated following the Napoleonic Wars, the Crown had several hundred hectares of oak trees planted on Visingsö. Up until the middle of the 19th century, about 300,000 oak trees had been planted, many of which remain today, occupying an area of about 360 hectares. Today the oak forest is administered by Sweden's National Property Board. The oak trees are currently available for shipbuilding, but technological development has long made them more valuable as oak veneers for floors, whisky barrels, furnishing details for boats and many applications requiring the hard and compact oak material. https://jkpg.com/en/visingso/the-oak-forest-on-visingso/

This idyllic island is a popular spot for picnics, swimming and recreation for Stockholmers and visitors alike, but this wasn’t always the case. From the eighteenth century until 1974, Långholmen was a dreaded prison island. https://www.visitstockholm.com/see--do/attractions/langholmen/

Beloved by both Stockholmers and visitors, Djurgården is a tranquil oasis in the middle of Stockholm. The island has been in possession of the crown since the 15th century. Like no other place in Stockholm it collects many of the city’s most famous museums and cultural attractions (the Vasa Museum, Gröna Lund, the Abba museum and Skansen to name a few) with green nature, parks, and family-friendly activities. Djurgården can be reached by bus, tram or ferry from central Stockholm. Though on a beautiful summer day a walk along Strandvägen, from The Royal Dramatic Theatre to Djurgårdsbron, is highly recommended. https://www.visitstockholm.com/see--do/attractions/djurgarden/

In the Rhododendron Valley in Skövde, foreign plants and trees such as the ginkgo tree are plants. At the end of May and early June, the giant rhododendron bushes bloom and the area turns into a fabulous place. Even during the winter, the bushes are green and regardless of the season, you get a lush feeling when you visit the Rhododendron Valley. The Rhododendron Valley was created during the early 1900s by the gardener Karl Magnusson. After a restoration in 2017, the area has once again become a park-like garden. The area contains many planted and unusual plants. Signs show you the way around the Rhododendron Valley and tell you what kind of plants you see. The Rhododendron Valley is great for a picnic with family or friends. Close to the center of Skövde, the valley is one of our most easily accessible oases. There are benches, a barbecue area and nice grassy areas where you can spread out your picnic blanket. https://www.vastsverige.com/skovde/produkter/rhododendrondalen/?site=5428&lang=sv

Rosenlund rosarium is beautifully situated in an old cultural environment within walking distance of Vätterstrand beach. As well as large numbers of beautiful roses, there are exotic trees and areas planted with perennials. Rosenlund manor house was built in 1788 and the steward’s residence in 1845. There is documentary evidence, including via county governor Hierta in 1820, that the buildings were surrounded by beautiful planted areas and a garden. Rosenlund rosarium is a municipal facility and is managed by personnel from the technical office. Guided tours can be arranged and booked on tel 036-10 50 00. There is a café open during the summer. https://jkpg.com/en/jonkoping-huskvarna/rosenlunds-rosarium/

Go on a delightful hike on planked trails in southern Sweden’s last wilderness. The air here is filled with the scent of marsh Labrador tea, and animal and plant life abound. From the south, the Dumme Mosse trail is accessible for both wheelchairs and prams. Dumme Mosse is classified as a nature reserve, and it is one of the county’s largest, most varied swamp areas, with many different types of wetland. The area lies 7 kilometres west of Jönköping. If you are travelling by car, take highway 40 from Jönköping towards Göteborg. Turn off towards the airport. Right next to the airport, there is a sign for Dumme Moss as well as parking. You also can get to Dumme Mosse by taking bus 27 from central Jönköping to the airport. Dumme Mosse has hiking trails for both summer and winter. The planked trail that is suitable for the period from March to October is called the Dumme Mosse Trail. You will find it in the southern part of the nature area. The choice of how far you want to go is up to you. The various trails range in length from 4 to 9 kilometres. For 2 kilometres the trail has been adapted for prams and wheelchairs. Next to the old embankment, there is a BBQ site with wood already chopped, perfect for a splendid pause. https://jkpg.com/en/jonkoping-huskvarna/dumme-mosse/

The Uppsala University Botanical Garden stylishly houses more than 7,500 plant species and is part of the Linnaean Gardens, with the Linnaeus Garden and Linnaeus Hammaby. What you can expect and get here is a botanical and gardening experience par excellence. Visit the baroque garden and the park during spring, summer and autumn for brilliantly coloured summer flowers, charming alpine plants, trees and shrubs from all around the world. Make a pit-stop at charming summertime Café Victoria for coffee and buns before heading for the gorgeous 200-year-old Orangery (Orangeriet) for cacti, Linnaeus’ bay trees, as well as fig and olive trees. End on a sweaty note by taking in Uppsala’s only rain forest at the Tropical Greenhouse and see the coffee bushes, banana plants and orchids. The Botanical Garden is a short walk from the city centre. https://destinationuppsala.se/en/activities/the-botanical-garden/

Stadsträdgården is Uppsala’s city park situated beside the Fyris river. The powers that be in Uppsala took the first steps towards creating this city park in the late 19th century. Now in the early 21st century, open-year-round Stadsträdgården is a firm favourite among Uppsala city folk for strolls, lazing around and its various children’s play, picnic and event areas. Visit the wonderfully-named Lycksalighetens ö, or ‘Bliss Island’ in English – a tiny island in the middle of a water-lily pond. Plonk yourself down and bliss out surrounded by greenery. Nearby is a large playground for the kids and other family attractions. The former home of the master gardener, Gula Villan or ‘Yellow House’, is in the middle of the park and is now a café serving coffee and eats during the summer months. It’s an ideal stop-off before visiting the southern end of the park for Parksnäckan for open-air theatre shows and events in the summer months. Being a park, Stadsträdgården is packed with flowerbeds the varieties of which are too many to go into here. One of the highlights though is the rose garden featuring many different types of roses, as well as clematis and perennials. https://destinationuppsala.se/en/activities/uppsala-city-garden/

Who was 18th-century Swedish super-scientist Carl Linnaeus? What did he do that was so important and why should you visit his garden? Linnaeus’ biological naming system (the binomial nomenclature) made sense of the system of naming animals and plants, so that (at least in Latin) scientists had a common reference name, for example for the Polar bear (Ursus maritimus). Otherwise, they wouldn’t know what each other was talking about. Biologists, bird-watchers and gardeners all around the world have much to thank him for. This feat alone makes him a giant among scientists. The reconstructed gardens are here because Carl Linnaeus lived and worked in Uppsala where he was a professor of medicine at Uppsala University. The gardens are a copy of Uppsala University’s botanical garden as it would have looked during Linnaeus’ lifetime and have been restored according to his and Carl Hårleman’s design from 1745. All of some 1,300 species in the garden are known to have been cultivated by the great man himself according to his own system and that makes it very special indeed. https://destinationuppsala.se/en/activities/the-linnaeus-garden/

Visiting Gunillaberg is like stepping into a new world. Suddenly open fields, beautiful caroliner houses and flower arrangements are found in the dense Småland forest, in all possible colors and shapes. https://jkpg.com/sv/bankeryd-bottnaryd-taberg/gunillaberg-konsttradgard/

The Linnéparken is located directly at the cathedral in the center of Växjö and is part of the city park of Växjö, along the lake Växjösjön. The Linnéparken consists of three differently designed areas – an English park with winding paths and large trees, a modern park with open green spaces, playgrounds and water areas, as well as a classic formal park. An important theme of the park is dedicated to the world-famous botanist Carl von Linné. Born in Råshult, Småland in 1707, Linné was a high school student at Karolinerhuset, which is located in the northern part of the park next to the cathedral. As a professor of botany at the university in Uppsala, he developed the system of the Latin naming of living creatures and plants and their classification, which has so far been used in biology. Planting in the Linnéparken illustrates the Linnaean system for dividing plants into 24 different classes. There is also a cactus planting in the park, which is included in an annual changing plant theme, a flower path, various shrubs, as well as an open-air stage. https://www.guidebook-sweden.com/en/guidebook/destination/linneparken-park-vaexjoe

Beautiful Huseby Bruk shows you a bygone era. Go for a stroll in the park and gardens, and visit the well-preserved castle. At the old ironworks, the stories of the 1800s are told over and over again. The main building at Huseby is reverently called the castle. Many remember Ms Stephens, the last owner of Huseby. In her last will and testament, she wrote that everything should be preserved for coming generations to take part in. The interior decor remains, and much of it comes from her parents’ time and up until the middle of the 1800s. The Stephens family were close to the royal house and sometimes had royal visitors at Huseby Bruk. The park and garden have been recreated in their 19th-century form. Much was documented – even shopping lists for seeds. The park is characterised by ‘embroidered’ flower beds that Miss Stephens’s mother Elisabeth Stephens designed. But the kitchen garden might be the best thing about Huseby - it is a real utility garden that used to supplied the work's gentry with vegetables, fruit and berries. It was designed with nine areas and follows a model from older times. Ms Stephens loved different breeds of hens and today, too, there are hens and peacocks to look at. https://www.visitsmaland.se/en/experiences/culture-and-history/huseby

Senses is a privately owned visit garden. It is Birgitta´s dream come true thanks to Marcus special skills as a designer and gardener. He fulfils her dream of heaven of scents, sights and tranquillity, located in the lovely archipelago of Åland. The garden is still young but the goal is set high. We aim to become the best garden in Finland. Highlights of the season are: Spectacular spring bloom, maybe the best in Finland. Impressive summer bloom with Peonies, Roses, Lavandula, Lillies and lots of perennials. The breathtaking colour explosion marks the end of the season in autumn. https://www.senses-aland.com/441608140

As regards surface, Danska Fall is a large nature reserve. Visitors come here in both winter and summer. They are particularly attracted by the waterfall itself, its beautiful surroundings and historic associations. There is a 36-metre drop from the top of the falls to the river’s mouth. The river has several rapids and beautiful waterfalls. A walking trail passes through the scenic beech forest. The nature reserve is also crossed by the Halland trail. If you take the trail from the car park out to the waterfall, there are several benches and picnic tables where you can rest your legs and enjoy the contents of the basket you so wisely brought along! Beech forests with some oaks dominate the nature reserve. Pine bog, mixed forest, wetland forest, lakes, watercourses and open land (e.g. at the Eriksköp farm estate) complete the picture. The beech and oak forest type is over 100 years old and, thanks to their age, its trees are becoming interesting as hosts for lichens and mosses. There is water on three sides of the nature reserve, the Brearedssjön lake on the north , the Assman watercourse on the east and the Skällåsasjön lake on the west. https://www.destinationhalmstad.se/en/experience/nature-and-the-outdoor-life/danska-fall-nature-reserve

A visit to the medieval castle at Kastelholm in Sund makes for an exciting outing for the whole family. It was mentioned for the first time in writing in an estate inventory for Bo Johnsson Grip in 1388. http://www.visitaland.com/en/articles/kastelholm-castle/

Hallandsgården is an open-air museum founded in 1925, beautifully situated on Galgberget in the middle of Halmstad. Hallandsgården is a natural destination for anyone wanting to visit bygone days. https://www.destinationhalmstad.se/english/to-do/attractions.html?url=113685985%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fc%3D3%26TLp%3D361289%26TLl%3Den&sv.url=12.562a806313e8e51ee2e8bc7

Sculpture and national heritage park with a strong international art collection surrounded by beautiful scenery with many spectacular lookout points. https://www.visitoslo.com/en/activities-and-attractions/attractions/?TLp=818176&Ekebergparken-Sculpture-Park

The Natural History Museum is Norway's largest collection of natural science objects. 6.2 million objects are found here, representing 65% of the country's total natural history collections. Some of these collections are available to the public in the Botanical Gardens and the museums there. In addition to the research conducted at the museums, updating and maintaining these collections is an important part of NHM's tasks. Collett's House (Zoological Museum) has permanent and changing exhibitions for the public. The entrance is through a modern pavilion, marked Museum entrance, where you will also find the museum shop. Brøger's House (Geological Museum) is currently closed to the public, but you will find many of the highlights of our objects in the exhibitions at Collett's House. Lids House (Botanical Museum) contains offices, herbaria, archives, etc. This is used by researchers and is not open to the public. The botanical garden covers 150 acres and has about 35,000 plants spread across approximately 7,500 species. Here you will also find the two exhibition greenhouses Palmehuset and Victoriahuset. https://www.nhm.uio.no/

Sculpture park in the Frogner Park with more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) in bronze, granite and cast iron, including The Angry Boy (Sinnataggen in Norwegian), The Monolith (Monolitten) and The Wheel of Life (Livshjulet). Vigeland was also responsible for the design and architectural outline of the park, which is one of Norway's top tourist attractions, with more than one million annual visitors. The park is free to enter and open all year round, 24 hours a day. https://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=181601&Vigeland-Sculpture-Park

If you visit Sofi ero Castle Park in May or June you will be met by a magnifi cent sight of more than 10,000 rhododendron bushes in full bloom - enough to amaze anyone. King Gustav VI Adolf, who planted the first bush in 1907, would doubtless have been pleased with the collection that is now one of the biggest and most beautiful in Europe. http://www.helsingborg-helsingor.com/english/frameset/index.html?/english/touristinformation/helsingor.html&main

Welcome to one of Sweden´s finest open-air museums. The different landscape types and grounds, historic buildings and gardens make Fredriksdal a miniature Skåne. As well as the beautiful manor house from 1787, there are old city quarters, a working Skåne farm, a unique botanical garden with all the species that grow wild in Skåne, as well as a lovely rose garden. http://www.helsingborg-helsingor.com/english/frameset/index.html?/english/touristinformation/helsingor.html&main

The Archipelago National Park is located just 60 kilometres from Turku. Visitors can reach the park via Kimito and Pargas. Nature in the region is fascinating the whole year-round. The region is comprised of a rugged archipelago ecosystem and ancient bedrock, where the juniper and curling pine grow. Thanks to grazing livestock and long-term land management, the region also boasts beautiful, verdant traditional landscapes. Archipelago National Park is one of the most species-rich regions in Finland. Visitors can also experience archipelago life and culture within the park as well as in co-operation areas outside it. The Archipelago National Park is part of the Archipelago Sea Biosphere Reserve, which was established by UNESCO. http://www.visitturku.fi/en/archipelago-national-park_en

Tivoli Gardens was founded in 1843 and has become a national treasure and an international attraction. Fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen visited many times, as did Walt Disney and many other celebrities, who all fell in love with the gardens. http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/tivoli-gardens-gdk424504

Frederiksberg Palace Gardens is one of the largest and most attractive green spaces in Copenhagen. The park was landscaped during the reign of King Frederik IV from 1699–1730, as a baroque garden surrounding Frederiksberg Palace. The gardens now house the remains of the baroque garden and a romantic landscape garden, which held special significance for the popular King Frederik VI. The romantic landscape garden was changed during his reign from 1808–1839. Today, those wishing to sail along the canals like the king can hire boats from the boat service Svendsens Bådfart. In the summer, Frederiksberg Gardens form the setting for various cultural events, including the music festival Stella Polaris (August) and Midsummer’s Eve (June). Midsummer’s Eve is a particularly special evening in Frederiksberg, attracting some 35,000 visitors. There is a bonfire party by the water close to Frederiksberg Palace and entertainment aplenty. http://visitfrederiksberg.dk/en/emne/the-royal-parks/

The Turku University Botanical Garden operating on the Island of Ruissalo is both a centre for scientific research and a public showcase for the fascinating world of plants. The outdoor and indoor gardens display over 5000 species and varieties of plants. In the greenhouses are a wide range of succulent plants and a collection of tropical species. Flourishing in the outdoor garden are rhododendrons, peonies, annuals, economic plants, meadow flowers, exotic trees and shrubs, to name a few. A distinguishing feature of the new landscape is the three ponds containing colourful water lilies and other wetland plants. Here it is possible to hold meetings, training sessions and private events held in the outdoor gardens, greenhouses, seminar hall and cafeteria (which is also available for dining). http://www.visitturku.fi/en/botanical-garden_en

Since 1987, a number of artists have left their mark on the lovely Park of Music, which is located in Kildeparken, by planting a tree to commemorate their visit in Aalborg. There are currently 94 trees. Sir Cliff Richard was the first artist to plant a tree in Kildeparken in 1987 when he performed in Aalborg Congress & Culture Centre. Since then, many more trees and artists have joined and today, more than 80 great artists have left their mark on the park with oaks and wild cherry trees. https://www.visitaalborg.com/aalborg/plan-your-trip/park-music-gdk596452

On the savannah, giraffes munch alongside zebras, kudus and the rare oryx antelopes. The polar bear enjoys a cooling dip in the water, the red panda has just been served fresh bamboo and suddenly you can hear a mighty roar from the male lion Akash letting the entire zoo know that this is his territory. Aalborg Zoo is open 363 days a year - and no two days are alike. With far more than 100 different exotic animal species, educational experiences can be found all year round. You can see how the animals adapt to the different seasons and watch the baby animals grow. And you can try and find the curious and lesser known animals. In the South American house, the sloths climb freely about in the lianas above your head. This is also the place to be if you want to get close to an armadillo and perhaps see a capybara for the first time. http://www.visitaalborg.com/ln-int/aalborg-zoo-gdk596076

Roskilde Fjord features one of Denmark’s most beautiful and diverse landscapes. The narrow inlet, which extends 40 km into the Zealand landscape, is dotted with around 30 small islands and islets, home to rich and largely undisturbed flora and fauna. http://www.visitroskilde.com/ln-int/roskilde-fjord-gdk713239