In addition to communal swimming, Holmestrand swimming hall offers; sauna, swimming lessons, training and exercise for adults.
Note that the swimming pool is closed in summer and on public holidays.
For prices and opening times, see Holmestrand swimming pool.
Våge means “to dare”
The Dragon, however, was not chosen purely as protection for the children. In old Norse literature dragons are portrayed as much as obstacles to fight and overcome, as well as symbols of strength.
It is this duality that Stig Skjelvik found intriguing, and it is the same duality that makes it a valid symbol for any child about to dare a few steps out of the comfort zone. Whether the challenge at hand is overcoming personal obstacles or to prove, or expose, something to the outside world, the dragon is there to remind them that they can succeed. The name of the dragon, Våge, is the Norwegian verb that means to dare.
Medieval inspiration
The shape of Våge is as modern as a dragon can possibly get – but the texture of the beast is deeply rooted in norse tradition, inspired by the stave churches. The bulk of the stave churches of Norway was built between 1100 and 1350. The few that still remain leave spectators in awe of the mythological ornaments and their artful shapes – yet Stig Skjelvik found the roofs of the stave churches to be the most magnificent work of art, as they were a integrated part of the dragon head decorations. The entire body of Våge is therefore built in the exact same manner as the roof of a stave church.
The roof shingles of the stave churches are all shaped as, and overlap each other like, reptilian scales. To endure they were made of ore-pine.
Contemporary magic
Every dragon holds a bit of magic – and magic is what Stig Skjelvik has created underneath the dragons tactile, handcrafted armour. All hand painted with pine tar oil. At night the play in light reveals new patterns in the body and creates the illusion that the already dynamic figure, is in motion.
Bathing in salt water:
Dulpen
At Dulpen you will find an area with a large lawn located in the north end of the city. Here is a sandy beach and floating dock with diving board. The area has beach volleyball, toilet, kiosk and fast food.
Hagemann
At Hagemann you will find a lawn with a small sandy beach located in Hagemannsparken south of the city, next to the small harbor.
Bathing in fresh water:
Vikestranda by Vikevannet in Hof
Equipped with a toilet.
Eikern in Hof
Eikern is Vestfold's largest lake, but half the water is located in Buskerud. It is one of two main sources of drinking water in Vestfold, but the water is so deep that it is still allowed to swim and drive a boat there. The water contains several coves suitable for swimming and there are public bathing areas – Verkstedsstranda by the power station at Eidsfoss and at Thorrud Camping.
Bergsvannet in Eidsfoss
Bergsvannet is called "the warm water" by locals, as it is shallow and can therefore offer mostly pleasant bathing temperatures all summer. Right next to Eidsfoss ironworks worker's area "Gata", there is a sandy beach with a nice grassy spot. Parking and toilet only 25 meters from the beach.
Bergsvannet in Vassås
At the north end of Bergsvannet in Vassås, there is a municipal beach with a floating dock, diving board and public toilet.
Hajern in Hof
This is a nice swimming area with a connecting road for cars. Remember money for the tollgate.
Bathing in salt water:
Sandviken
Child friendly sandy beach, toilet facilities with handicap toilet. Limited space and parking.
Haga Sand
Child friendly sandy beach, handicap toilet and parking facilities.
Bekkestranda
Small bathing areas. Toilets and two parking spaces nearby.
Kverntangen
Small sandy beach. Toilet. Main parking by the house Fremad, handicap parking by the beach.
Skjervika
Recreation area with lawn, rocks and bathing dock. Parking and toilet.
Nordre Jarlsberg Brygge
Child friendly sandy beach with playground, toilet. Good parking facilities nearby.
Swimming in fresh water:
At many of the forest waters in Sande there are nice swimming areas.
Kalmovannet
Nice swimming opportunities and benches and tables. Follow signs from the railway station towards Kalmoskog, park your car by the road and follow the marked path up to the water.
Suluvannet
Lensmannsodden and the beach below the cabin (speiderhytta) are popular swimming spots.
No prior knowledge required
Høyt Under Taket is a unique climbing center with many different climbing activities for both children, adults, beginners, and for those who are more experienced. Climbing walls, themed walls, bouldering, climbing courses, training room and lots more! The climbing center has more than 60 autobelayers. Autobelay is an automatic fuse that makes it possible to climb on your own.
Climbing groups children and adolecents
Høyt Under Taket is offering a number of popular courses and groups for children and adolescents. Physical activity among children is important. Therefore, Høyt Under Taket is offering something for all ages. You can find activities for children and adolescents who want a different leisure activity, or for those who want to learn more about climbing. You can find courses year-round for children from 6 – 16 years old.
Read more about climbing courses for children and adolescents.
Membership – without binding contract
Buy a membership at Høyt Under Taket and get access to the whole climbing center during opening hours. Choose between a 12 – month membership or membership with monthly withdrawal, without binding contract. Also, get Høyt Under Taket’s uniq membership benefits:
– No binding contracts
– Applicable at all Høyt Under Taket’s climbing centers
– 20% in the climbing stores
– Free coffee
– 20% on equipment rental
– 20% on courses
Holmestrand Church is located in Botne Parish, and is one of Norway's only four remaining Y-churches.
The church had most of its furnishings replaced in 1829-30, including a new altarpiece, pulpit and new galleries. In 1911, the benches were also replaced.
P. Peterson's "Women with the angel at the empty tomb" adorns the altarpiece, inspired by Eckersberg's work from 1814 in Sem church.
The church is protected, and has 300 seats.
Historical guided tours for groups
Guided tours with knowledgeable guides are held in connection with events and when the museum is open during the summer. The tour takes about 2 hours. Suitable for groups of minimum10 and up to 50 people. This history lesson costs NOK 200, – per person. Children below 12 years for free.
Tours for groups can also be booked on request.
Torås Fort! World history in Færder municipality. Vestfold's largest intact war memories from World War II!
It has been military operations in the area from the Viking Age until 1999.
The fort as it appears today was begun by the Norwegian authorities in 1938 and completed by the Germans in November 1941.
After the war, the fort entered the coastal artillery again. During the Cold War exciting and secret things happened on the fort when a group partly funded by the CIA moved in. The name of this group was "Stay behind" and used Torås as the educational center for secret agents. In 1999, the fort was closed down and the tunnels were sealed by bricks.
In 2008, there was established a interest-group for Toras fort, with the purpose of preserving the fort. In recent years, the group has opened 5 of the 12 tunnels that were bricked again and in one of the tunnels, a military-historical exhibition opened in this tunnel. The museum is open every Sunday in June and July.
In 2018, the group bought the bow of the historic ship "Pol 3" and will establish a national memorial on Torås with the bow as the centerpiece. Artistic responsible for the project is Vebjørn Sand.
During 2019, the group got access to more buildings in the lower camp, and in the next few years filled these with historically interested groups, including Historical military vehicles. In this way, the interest group created a national cultural-historical center at Torås, where the public can experience living history all year round.
Throughout the year there are several events at Torås fort.
Dagros Café is located on the car-free island of Veierland in Færder municipality. The café serves hot meals and drinks in a relaxed setting, with seating available outdoors and under cover. Fully licensed to serve alcohol, the café is a welcoming stop for families and visitors exploring the island.
Children can enjoy mini golf, a drawing table, a sandpit and a slide. Take a break while the children play, or combine your café visit with a walk along Veierland's gravel roads and scenic trails.
Events and Private Functions
Throughout the season, Dagros Café hosts concerts, quizzes, children's activity days and other events. The café also caters for summer parties, anniversaries, birthdays and corporate gatherings.
Visit the Dagros Café website for upcoming events, tickets and information about private functions.
Opening Hours
Dagros Café is open seasonally from April/May to September, mainly on weekends and daily during the school summer holidays. Current opening hours and any changes are published on the café's Facebook page.
Getting to Veierland
The Jutøya ferry operates between Tenvik on Nøtterøy and Veierland, with additional departures from Engø in Sandefjord. The crossing takes approximately 10–15 minutes.
Veierland is a car-free island, ideal for exploring on foot or by bicycle. The island offers walking trails, recreational areas and beaches, making it easy to combine a visit to Dagros Café with a day outdoors.
Check the latest ferry timetables with Jutøya before travelling.
Aarholt-tunet is a guesthouse for groups that will be gathered to experience human growth in scenic surroundings in Stokke in Vestfold. The farm has been in the Aarholt family since 1520, which in 2020 ment 500 years! Since 1992, Svein and Ingfrid have welcomed guests to the farm.
The kitchen at Aarholt-tunet can serve up to 60-80 guests, and the food is preferably organic and as local as possible, and served with herbs from their own garden.
Events, weddings, courses & conferences at Verdens Ende
From the Visitor Center's 360° panoramic room, there is a view of the iconic Vippefyret & Færder lighthouse, the spectacular archipelago and the unique landscape of the national park.
Contact the visitor centre for a tailor-made event with your own guide, activities and lectures about the national park.
Information and booking from Heidi Karoline Storm e-mail: heidi@ferdernasjonalparksenter.no or mobile: + 47 970 22 441