Channel: VisitVestfold.com

Borrehaugene

In the period from 600 to 900 AD, nine great mounds were constructed at Borre.

On site there are three huge piles of stone amongst the mounds, which contribute towards the monumental character of the place. Nowhere else in Northern Europe are there more large mounds in one single location. The great mounds are evidence of political power, expressed through monumental symbols. Borre was probably the ultimate place for leaders to manifest their honour, even after life. Previously it was thought that it was members of a particular family, The Ynglinge clan, who were buried here – but recent research based on DNA analysis indicates that such large burial sites tend to contain people from several families. It was likely the spot itself – as well as its connection to previous leaders – what made this place an attractive location to be buried at.

Large parts of the eastern slopes of the ridge between Åsgårdstand and Horten were agricultural areas at the time when the burial site was established. The mounds consist of lots of old cultivated soil – this as a result of the area being used to grow crops before the mounds were erected. The site is strategically located, by the entrance to the Oslo fjord. The location indicates that the purpose of building these mounds here was for them to be visible from the water.

Only one of the major mounds on the Borre site has been completely excavated, and this happened in 1852. From this excavation hail the marvellous Borre finds. Unfortunately, due to the inexpert excavation of the Ship mound in Borre, a lot of knowledge was lost in the process. The find is nevertheless considered to be in line with the ship graves from Tune and Gokstad.

Midgard Viking Centre

Midgard Viking Centre has interesting and exciting exhibitions which shows different aspects of the history. There are playgrounds where both kids and adults can try some Viking games and activities, such as bow and arrow and log games.       

The Borre burial mounds
Midgard Viking Centre is situated near the Borre burial mounds, which form one of Norway’s most important cultural heritage sites. It was in use between the year 600 and 900 after Christ. This historical place played a central role in Europe’s Viking history. Experience Viking history, based on archeological knowledge, through your senses. Visit the great Viking Hall of Borre as well. The areas fresh and nice nature plus the historical factors makes this a popular destination for everyone interested in history. Midgards guides will bring you around the park and tell you all the stories and secrets of the burial mounds.

The Viking hall "Gildehallen"
In 2013 the Viking hall was opened at Midgard. The hall is a magnificent reconstruction of one of the Viking’s major party halls/rooms.

Big parts of the building are built by hand and with time appropriate tools, beautiful woodcarvings to show that the Vikings extraordinary woodcarvings are not forgotten. The guides have insight on all the exciting details of the building and the Vikings.

You have the opportunity to experience the Viking age and see it come alive. Serving time appropriate food with groceries from close by. You get stories about the food and drink, the Viking hall and Borre, and any questions you may have, answered.

Midgard Viking Centre offers activity days where you can experience the Vikings age, there is also possible to arrange activities for groups such as crafts, cooking, bow and arrow etc.

The café has a beautiful view over the Borre burial mounds​​​​​​​ and an auditorium for lectures and conferences.

Haugar Art Museum

Haugar Art museum is worth a visit. Andy Warhols tribute to Munch is some of the museums exhibitions, when it is not abroad. You can contact the museum for more information on this.
The museums also have different exhibitions throughout the year, which means its worth visiting more than ones.

Haugar Art Museum has high quality exhibitions at all times, and is one of the country's best art museums. The art museum is located in an impressive brick building, the former Seamen's School, right in the center of Tønsberg.

Private tour
If you want a private tour, the museum adapts this, contact Haugar for prices.

Events and activities
Haugar has various events and activities throughout the year for young and old. There are always activities for children at the museum, whether it is art hunting, activity rooms or Kunstporten – an app that engages children in an exciting and educational museum experience.

Museum shop
In the museum shop you will find gift items, such as books, jewelry, art glass, ceramics etc. Gift certificates are also sold in the museum shop with an optional amount. The shop follows the museum's opening hours and is open to everyone even without an entrance ticket.

The museum is closed on the following days:
May 17, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Kaupang Viking Town

The Town
Kaupang was founded around the year 800. The location was significant when the town was established as a hub for trade and production. At Kaupang today there is built a Viking house like they think it could have been. You can also see a model of the town and get to know how the town was located.

Research
Many have dug and researched Kaupang from the 1800s until now. Most of the city is still not excavated.
In the exhibition "What Kaupang Earth hid" you get an insight into how archaeologists worked, what they did and what we know about Kaupang history today. A new exhibition on archeology, the town, trade and power opened in June 2021.

Activities in the Summer season
Tuesdays – Archery
Thursdays – Guided walk at Northern Kaupang with storytelling, burials, and archaeology
Fridays – Archaeological excavation activities
Sundays – Storytelling sessions

Activities take place three times a day:
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM, and last approximately 45 minutes.

Guided tours indoors and outdoors are available throughout the day outside of scheduled activities.

Fasanatur! Cultural Trail with Quiz. 

For groups
Activities are organized and adapted to groups as needed.

Stokke Bygdetun

Stokke village museum

“Stokke bygdetun” is a village museum full of activities, lectures and courses. It is possible to book rooms/facilities or schedule group-tours. The office is open every Wednesday 10:00 – 14:00.

The yard and the museum are both open every Sundays in the summer season from 12:00 to 16:00.

The café sells coffee, waffles, porridge, soda and ice cream during opening hours.

Welcome to Stokke village museum for a pleasant visit and social gathering. See the program at www.stokkebygdetun.no

“Bryggerhuset” was built in 1852. And was transferred from Horten to Stokke village museum in 2002-2004. In the basement there’s an oven, a kitchen and a meeting room for the women in the village. In this building it is sold freshly baked bread on a selected number of days.

The ground floor consists of meeting rooms and facilities to book for approx. 30 people. Prices, availability and information about booking can be found on the website.

“Hauganhuset” is the museums main building. It was built in 1740 in Arnadal and was transferred to the village in 1978. The ground floor has a kitchen and dining room. The rooms are decorated as its the 1900 with museum objects and paintings. The basement displays different types of crafts; it has a room for shoemaking, a room with pharmacy equipment, one with whaling, and lastly one about the city of Stokke and its development through pictures and movies.

“Bjerkneshuset” was built in the village as a house to live in, in 1892. Now it’s an old school and a kid’s museum with dolls and old toys. There is also a museum part where it’s possible to buy local history books, cards, toys etc.

The museum barn was also built in the village in 1992 following a 1920 model of a barn. It has a meeting room, kitchen and toilet. It displays approx. 300 pictures of the artist Hans Gerhard Sørensen from Stokke. The kitchen and the meeting room is possible to book and can fit 60 people. The first floor has an office and a library.

“Smia” – blacksmith – the building was built by voluntary workers in 2008 – 2009 and the mayor of Stokke Nils Ingar Aabol opened it the summer of 2010.

“Nordskogen” is a forest that has beautiful paths through Bokemoa and the areas close by. It is interesting and provides information about the animals, the birds, the plants and flowers, geology and settlement in the village. Bokemoa is perfect for a jog or a stroll all year round.

Verdens Ende – “The World’s End”

Verdens Ende (World's End) on the southern tip of Tjøme is probably best known for "Vippefyret" – the lighthouse, made by stones from the local beaches. The lighthouse is a replica built in 1932. The Færder National Park Center opened in June 2015. 

Færder National Park Verdens Ende is located in Færder National Park, which is one of the country's most important areas for coastal outdoor activities. The national park covers 340 square kilometers of mainland, islands, reefs and seabed in Færder municipality. It stretches from Ormøy in the north to Færder lighthouse in the south. The landscape in the national park is distinctive and rich in geological formations. There are several important nesting areas for seabirds in the national park, and the national park has a very diverse flora and fauna. Plants and insects live here that can hardly be found anywhere else. The area in the national park is popularly used for boat trips, paddling, water sports, hiking, fishing and swimming.

Færder National Park is easily accessible by boat, car and public transport. At World's End, you can drive a private car all the way to the border of the national park – this means that Færder National Park can be experienced by everyone.

For more info and how to get here, see https://www.visitvestfold.com/en/tonsberg/articles/Verdens-Ende-The-Worlds-End/ 

The coastal path through Vestfold

The coastal paths in Vestfold are a fantastic experience if you enjoy walking, as the paths are right by the sea and you can see and hear the seabirds, smell the salty air and gaze at a horizon that stretches to infinity…

Signposted trails are found on the route  Stavern-Nevlunghavn-Helgeroa, Åsgårdstrand-Horten, The Count´s path and Karlsvik-Vallø in Tønsberg, Hella-Vrengen strait on Nøtterøy as well as on Østerøya and Vesterøya in Sandefjord. Beautiful coastal path along the bay in Sande district.

Bøkekroa

Bøkekroa is a traditional restaurant in Bøkeskogen, Larvik's beech forest, serving Norwegian home-style cooking, lunch and dinner. The menu features classics such as flesk og duppe, homemade Norwegian meatballs and schnitzel. With woodland trails nearby and a playground behind the restaurant, it is easy to combine a meal with time outdoors.

Traditional Norwegian food
The menu includes Norwegian favourites such as flesk og duppe, a traditional dish of pork and creamy sauce served with mashed root vegetables, along with beef patties, meatballs and plaice. Burgers, schnitzel and beef dishes are also available.

For a lighter meal, choose from open sandwiches, omelettes, salads and club sandwiches. Bøkekroa also offers a children's menu and vegetarian options. Several dishes can be adapted for guests requiring gluten-free or lactose-free food. Check the restaurant's website for current menus, prices and allergen information.

A break in the beech forest
Bøkekroa has been part of Bøkeskogen in various forms for more than a century. The present restaurant building was completed in 1988, and the business has been in the Sundal family since 1978. Marked walking trails run through the surrounding forest, and a playground is located just behind the restaurant. Enjoy a walk beneath the beech trees before lunch or stop for a meal during a day exploring Larvik.

Concerts and events
Bøkekroa has a long tradition of hosting music events in the forest. The summer programme includes concerts, while November brings traditional lutefisk dinners with entertainment. Check Bøkekroa's event calendar for upcoming dates, programmes and ticket information.

Private events and catering
Bøkekroa also provides venues and food service for private celebrations and meetings, as well as catering and takeaway meals. Contact the restaurant directly for information about menus, capacity and booking arrangements.

Opening hours and reservations
Bøkekroa operates throughout the year and is open every day of the week, with different opening hours on weekdays and weekends. Dinner service finishes 30 minutes before closing.

For table enquiries, takeaway orders or other questions, call +47 33 18 10 53. Visit the restaurant's website for the latest opening hours.

 

Stavern and Larvik Event

Stavern og Larvik Event collaborates with everyone offering gode experiences in Stavern and Larvik, and can therefore offer a number of different activities and experiences. The offer RIB, Sailing, Film Crew, Amazing Race, Cardboard boat race and much more!

Why should you choose Stavern and Larvik Event?

• Easy for you and your company – just call (+47)938 80 333

• You get a total package at no extra cost. The work of the Event agency is based on commision from subcontractors

• For those who want to succeed with others – you save time and money – and recieve good experiences.