Visit Vestfold Medlemmer Archives

The Whaling Monument

The whaling monument shows whalers with oars in an open boat, with harpoons ready and water spraying.

This impressive monument near the harbour is made in the style of a compass rose, and it rotates slowly on its own axis. Sit down on one of the benches and watch!

Sandefjord's history is inextricably linked to whaling. It was at its peak in 1954 when as many as 2,800 men from the district were hired to whaling – on a whaling boat, a floating boiler in the Southern Ocean or at a whaling station on one of the Antarctic islands. By then, Sandefjord had long been the center of international whaling.

The adventure started as early as 1881, when the whaling boat "Haabet" was equipped for catching in Finnmark. In 1905, the first of many expeditions – with boilers and whaleboats – went to Antarctica. Sandefjord experienced great economic growth, and the whaling created positive ripple effects in business life in the town and the district.

Bjerggata

Bjerggata is one of Sandefjord's oldest and best preserved residential areas.

Traditional craftsmen and sailors lived here below Preståsen hill, and you can see the remains of small shops.

Today, Bjerggaten and Breili are cozy places that show old residential areas and wooden buildings that escaped the town fire in 1900.

Parkhaven/Garden

In the summer they can offer waitered table-service outside with 250 places, and a beautiful view of the fjord.

The restaurant has a stage and dancefloor, with possibilities for entertainment.

Restaurant Kosmos

Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are usually served in Kosmos with 210 seats. Restaurant Kosmos has doors to the hotel´s summer restaurant, Parkhaven.

Every morning you can enjoy a tasty and energetic breakfast. Breakfast is served from 06:30 to 10:00 Monday to Saturday from 06:30 to 09:30 and 07.30-10:30 on Sundays.

Charter with The Whaling boat Southern Actor

Southern Actor is the only whaling boat from the modern whaling epoch still found in its original working order. You find it at the museum wharf in Sandefjord. We can offer tours up to 45 passengers with Southern Actor from May to September. Food and drinks can be ordered. We recommend peas, meat and bacon or pea-soup with rolls – true sailor food!

The boat was built in Middlesborough in England in 1950 for the shipping company Chr.Salvesen and participated in whaling until it was laid up in 1962. After a long period as a whaling boat, the boat ended up in North Spain where it was supposed to be destroyed. However, by a coincidence, a Norwegian whaler found it and sent it back to Norway.

On 25 October 1989, Southern Actor arrived in Sandefjord. The Whalers Club of Sandefjord started with the restoration of the boat. Their goal has been to restore the boat to working order, enabling it to undertake different assignments as part of the museum.

With a three-cylinder steam engine, the whaling boat is exceptionally quiet and the engine can hardly be heard on deck. A popular trip is to sail from Sandefjord to Tønsberg.

Metro Sandefjord

Metro Sandefjord is located at Pindsle, 3 km from the town centre. The indoor playground offers a safe space where the parents can either sit and relax in the cafe or watch the children play. The indoor playground also has Laser games, Bowling & Biljard. The activities are perfect for children aged 1 – 12 years old. Metro indoor playground is right next to Metro Bowling. All children need adult supervision over the age of 16.

Birthday celebration at Metro

Metro indoor playground offers a fun super-birthday with bowling, entrance to the indoor playground and food and drinks. This is also perfect for schools, sports clubs, associations etc.

There is also an offer for adults. With fun activities and meeting rooms, its possible to arrange a day with bowling and pizza. perfect for team building, kick off, birthdays, conferences etc.

For more information, online booking and prices check out the website.

Tønsberg Cathedral

In 1939, Tønsberg Cathedral was restored with beautiful decorations and fixtures from the city's two older churches.

The cathedral is the main church in the Tunsberg diocese, and has 550 seats.

The detailed altarpiece has baroque carvings, carved in 1764 by Jens Jølsen. Jacob Pedersen Lindgaard painted the church's painting of Jesus in Gethsemane in 1770. The church's embroidered pulpit came from the original St. Lavrans' Church and has been in use since 1939.

The church is a popular venue for concerts.

Beaches in Færder

NØTTERØY

Rosanes (Teie)

Fjærholmen/Dunholmen (Føynland)

Fjærholmen is a beautiful beach on the eastern side of Nøtterøy. Fjærholmen consists of both sandy beach, rock faces and a large grassy area. It has a bathing shower for the disabled, a large kiosk and WC with showers which makes this an attractive place for camping guests. There are also good opportunities for playing volleyball and dive from both the regular pier and floating dock.

Fjærholmen has a large parking lot.

Access: From Tønsberg, follow the signs towards Nøtterøy. When you pass the canal bridge, go straight ahead at the roundabout and keep the left field. Follow the road that turns left. After about 2 km, there is a road to Husøy and Foynland. From there is the sign to Fjærholmen Camping.

Verdun (Knarberg)
Ulvøtangen (Knarberg)
Sparrønningen (Arås)
Stranda (Torød)
Storbadern (Movik).
Presthella og Ropern (Kjøpmannskjær)
Fuglevika (Kjøpmannskjær)
Tenvik og Søndre Tenvik
Holmen
Ørastranda
Søndre Hella
Prestodden (Hella)
Tørkopp og Vangen (Vestskogen)
Munkholmen (Munkerekka)
Kjølholmen (Veierland)
Hverveodden (Veierland)
Kongshavn (Veierland)
Tangen (Veierland)

TJØME

Fynsletta (Hvasser)
Lilleskagen (Hvasser)
Verdens ende, Tjøme
Moutmarka
Bekkevika
Regnbuen (Ormelet)
Svelvikstranda
Grimestad

Mostranda
With its two sandy beaches and many rocky surfaces, is one of the most popular bathing areas at Tjøme. The campsite located right on the beach provides access to a kiosk and WC with a shower. Although it may blow a lot on Tjøme, you can always find shelter by the big and smooth rocks. The beach is located on the southwest side of Tjøme, 5 km from Tjøme City Center in the direction of Verdens Ende / The World's End.
Access: From Helgerødveien; turn right to Mostranda and Mostranda Camping. Parking facilities either at the campsite or 200 meters ahead.

The coastal path on Vesterøya and Folehavna

MARKING
The coastal path is marked with blue paint from Gokstad Kystlag at Framnes and from Djupsundveien in the inner parts of Mefjorden.

AVAILABILITY
The path follows a trafficated road. The standard is varying both in landscape and ground – some places can be a bit tough. The map in the brochure shows where it is hard to travel with wheelchair or pram.

NATURE
Both the flora and fauna are varied and luxuriant. The coastal path goes along fields, through wooden-areas, over slopes of bare rock, windswept crags and shallow creeks. Places with great views are marked along the path.

CULTURAL LANDSCAPES
Man's doing have left traces in the landscape – so we now have a cultural landscape. This is changing over time, depending on what people and animals do. Findings show how people have lived at Vesterøya since the later stone-ages (3000-2500 BC) and till today. Old roads of travel, stone fences, farm yards, charcoal kiln and other cultural traces along the coastline that tells us about the history of Vesterøya.

AGRICULTURE
The first inhabitants lived of hunting and fishing, later cultivating the ground and livestocks. Today, the agriculture is dominated by growing of corn, fruits and vegetables. Vesterøya exploits the very favourable local climate well. Remember that crops and gardening are important industry in the area. Please take heed to this when you travel along fields and farmhouses.

RESPONSIBILITY
Usage of the coastal path is on own responsibility. Damaged/missing markings and equipment is to be reported to Sandefjord Parkvesen.

RULES OF CONDUCT
The rules of conduct means that you have the right to travel in free nature, but it is a freedom with responsibility:
– It is not allowed to travel with motorised vehicles. On private roads, you need to get the permission of the landowner. This applies to mopeds too.
– Do not walk across cultivated fields.
– Use the allocated parking spots. If you wish to park in other places, you should first ask the landowner for permission.
– Respect flora and fauna.
– It is forbidden to make bonfires or to grill on the bare rocks because it leaves marks. It is strictly forbidden to light fire in nature from 15.April to 15.September.
– You may tent in open nature up to two nights without the permission of the landowner as long as you do not disturb those that live there and you have to be at least 150 metres from buildings.

Help us to preserve our nature and culture along the coastline. Show consideration towards other users.

Source: Sandefjord Town Council

The coastal-path on Østerøya and Yxney

In the areas around Flautangen and Yxney you will find over 10km of paths. The paths are natural and have been created from human activity over centuries. Most people should have no difficulties on the terrain, although some rocky parts can be a challenging for some.

FISHING
There are great opportunities to try your luck before the bathing-season starts. The areas around Flautangen and Yxnøy can be recommended. In the spring, you will normally find coalfish, pollack, mackerel, flatfish and sea trout.

BIRDS
Those that are interested in birds will find all the species that are typical for the low-land fauna.

FAUNA
The areas on the south tip of Østerøya is a popular place for botanics due to the rich variation in flowers and plants.

At the parking area at Flautangen you can find brochures according to the season you visit, that describes parts of the area. The brochure can also be found at the Town's Office for Parks and Sports.

RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The coastal path is used at your own risk. You are welcome as a user. The Outdoor Activities Act establishes the common man's right to travel freely in the countryside, but it is a freedom with responsibility. The following points have been set up based on legal provisions. On Yxney, special rules apply (see notice). Report damage and deficiencies in markings and equipment to the Sandefjord Park Service.

• Use the parking spaces marked on the map in the brochure and along Østerøyveien.

• Respect plant and animal life. This applies especially in the nature reserve at Yxney.

• Bonfires and barbecuing are prohibited on loose rocks, as unsightly wounds occur. In the period 15 April–15 September, it is forbidden to light fires in forests and fields.

• You can set up a tent in the open field for up to two days without permission from the landowner, if you do not disturb residents and there is at least 150 meters to buildings.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Park- og idrettsseksjonen, Sandefjord Rådhus, Sandefjordsveien 3
Tel: +47 33 41 67 96
E-mail: kultur@sandefjord.kommune.no

Source: Sandefjord Town Council