Sem church was first built in wood at the beginning of the 12th century. The church burned down in 1682, and was then rebuilt as we see it today, in stone. In 1999, the 900th anniversary of the church was celebrated after it was renovated. The result of this is today's appearance.
There are around 300 seats in Sem church.
Nøtterøy Church is a beautiful church building from the early Middle Ages (12th century). The building is cross-shaped and built in stone with a romantic style. The building was originally consecrated as Mary's Church, and is the main church in Nøtterøy parish.
The church has 600 seats, and stands in the middle of a pretty cemetery. Nearby there is a war memorial in honor of Norwegian war veterans, created by sculptor Carl E. Paulsen.
To the west of the church you will find Prestegårdsskogen, with the cultural monument Nøtterøy clergy house from the 19th century.
The church's altarpiece is from the 18th century, and was painted by Jacob Lindegård.
Slagen church is located in Tønsberg municipality, and is a long church built in stone.
There are over 500 seats in the church.
In the years 1955-56, the church was restored. The altarpiece, pulpit and baptismal font we see today in the church are from that time. The cemetery seen on the outside of the church has been expanded in recent times. Today it stretches to both sides of the road.
Tønsberg Coastal Culture Center is located by the Canal in Tønsberg, and was established in 1991. Both buildings and boats can be rented out for groups and events.
The Coast Culture Centre includes the quayside, vessels worthy of preservation, slip, shipyard for the restoration of vessels, smithy and foundry, motor repair yard, sail maker's workshop and rigging workshop.
The Coast Culture Centre is also the home port for the Arctic sailing ship "Havnøy".
The shanty choir was started in 2003, and usually practices at Riggerloftet on Monday evenings from 18-20.45.
The Sculpture «Sjømannshustruen» designed by Nina Nesje from Tenvik in Nøtterøy was raised in 2004.
Many a sailor perished at sea in the age of sailing ships. The seaman's wife is a memorial to the women who longingly waited for them at home.
The 21.5 meters long Oseberg ship turned out to be the grave of an eminent woman, perhaps a queen, dating back to 834 AD. The ship was filled with gifts for the journey to the kingdom of death. The Oseberg carriage, five beautifully carved animal headstones, four sleds, beds, chests and looms.
A maid servant was chosen to follow the womans journey to the afterlife and was found buried with the elderly gueen.
It was long assumed that this was the grave of Queen Åsa, grandmother of Harald Hårfagre. Hence the name Oseberg. Newer technology however allowed historians in 1992 to date the burial to around 834 and implies that it was in fact Queen Alvhild, first wife of King Gudrød, who was buried there.
The Oseberg Hill was opened again in autumn 2007 and the women's skeletons secured. The oldest was have been closer to 80 years old. The other woman is somewhat younger. Both belonged to the "upper class", but none of them seems have been Queen Åsa herself, as previously predicted.
The burial mound, 40 meters in diameter, was restored in 1947.
There is a cultural trail along Vellebekken to the grave.
A copy of the Oseberg ship's beautifully carved bow can be seen at The Slottsfjell Museum. The original ship with its contents is exhibited at the Viking Museum in Oslo. Another complete copy of the ship can be seen at the harbour of Tønsberg.
The south part of Tjøme has a spectacular seaside scenery which can be enjoyed from several coastal paths.
Two popular hiking paths crosses Moutmarka and Hvasser.
Free maps of Søndre Tjøme hiking trails are available at Scandic Hotel Havna Tjøme and at Færder council house.
Moutmarka
One of the nicest places to go hiking in Vestfold is to follow the coastal path from Mostranda to Skåebukta. The trip is approx. 3 km long. The terrain is somewhat rough and often windy, so wear good shoes and a windbreaker. You can start your trip by parking at the World's End. The trail is marked with blue. Here you can read more about the hiking trail in Moutmarka.
Hvasser
Here are great paths along the coast. A walk around Hvasser is a great Sunday trip of 11.2 km.
Adventorous trail
It takes about 30 minutes cross the island by foot. However, you should calculate a lot more time – the trail has surroundings that will make you explore many things along the way, i.e. the restored small farms and houses, burial mounds from the Bronze Age, traces of World War II, and one of The Count of Tunsberg's hunting lodges. Parts of the island are accessible by wheelchairs. There is an excellent coastal path from Jensundet to the east to Kogshavnsundet in the west. The length is approx. 1.5 km.
Boat and fishing
The island also has many nice places to moor your boat, as well as piers and fishing spots rich in sea trout and mackerel.
Protected National Park
The island is today a free area for the public, but it is important that visitors adheres to the rules for protected areas in Norway. Mellom Bolæren has a unique natural diversity of rare plant species and insects, and is therefore a protected national park – regularly visited by plant scientist.
History
One of the reasons for the island's attractiveness is that for nearly a hundred years it remained almost untouched due to the Armed Forces’ ownership. They had relatively little activity on the island. Nøtterøy municipality (now Færder) bought the Bolærne Islands in 2004. From then on, there has been a lot of voluntary work on Mellom Bolæren to bring back the island's old soul and charm.
The island has no residents, but it is visited weekly by volunteers who maintain the buildings on the island and clears the trails and roads for the benefit of the general public. If you need guiding on the island, Mellem-Bolærens Friends has exciting stories to tell. Here is the soul and charm that brings good stories to life. But there is also a darker story to tell – the one about the hundreds of sick World War 2 prisoners who were transported to the island and left to die.
Before the Armed Forces took over the island, it was inhabited by lodesmen and fishermen, and in the 19th century it had about 50 residents. The Count of Tunsberg also had his holiday home there. In the old days Tønsberg's population annually celebrated midsummer feast on the island.
Guiding
Guiding is available at Mellem-Bolærens Friends, or directly at Ragnar Gunnarsen on mobile phone + 47 975 91053 or e-mail: ragnargunnarsen@live.no
Access to the island
The Bolærne boat takes you to and from the island, departing from Husvik. During the high season in summer, there are regular departures. More information about transport can be found here.
Alternatively Fjord taxi can be ordered. Otherwise you have to use a private boat.
The area has particularly good climatic conditions. This leads to great biodiversity, with a variety of warm-hearted plants and animals. However, the nature is vulnerable to intensive use. With some gentleness, future generations will also be able to experience this natural kingdom.
COASTAL TRAILS AT NØTTERØY
Årøysund to Stranda 1 km.
The coastal path begins where Middelborgveien takes off from Årøyveien, continues further south along Middelborgveien, over Middelborg and the Church of Norway, and down to the beach. The trail is marked with blue-colored piles and signs.
Hjemseng to Oterbekk 3 km.
The coastal path starts at Hjemseng and partly follows the narrow and idyllic road network along Nesbryggen and Dukenveien to Knarberg harbor. From the boat dock, the trail goes a bit on Ulvøveien before it continues on the trail system towards the swimming area, across Ulvøåsen to Ulvø.
From there on the road to Oterbekk. The trail is marked with approx. 50 blue-colored bars.
Hella to Vrengen 8 km
The coastal path runs from Søndre Hella where there are graves from the iron age until Vrengen bridge. Varied terrain along the Vestfjord, with swimming possibilities and several nice views along the way. Information boards along the way. The path is marked with blue-colored posts.
COASTAL TRAILS AT TJØME
Moutmarka ca. 3 km
One of the most beautiful places to go for a walk is to follow the coastal path from Mostranda to Skåebukta. The terrain is rugged and often windy, so make sure you have good shoes and a jacket. The trail is bluemarked. A good starting point is the parking at the End of the World. Follow the fence along Stall Verdens Ende northwards, then Skåeveien westwards, across the field. Follow the blue-marked path north after passing through the gate. The path crosses small boulders, pebbles and grass hills up to Tjøme's finest swimming spot on Mostranda. From Mostranda you can walk the same way back, or follow Moveien up to Helgerødveien and then take the bike path back to Verdens Ende.
Verdens Ende
At the End of the World, on the southern tip of Tjøme, the view almost takes your breath away. The view to the horizon and Færder Lighthouse. A nature experience easily accessible to everyone.
Torås Fort – Havna ca. 2,5 km (unmarked)
Path between Vestfold's largest intact memory from World War II, Torås Fort to Havna Tjøme Hotell.
Around Hvasser 11,2 km
Beautiful paths along the coast all around Hvasser. Parking Lilleskagen or Fynsletta.
Lilleskagen to Sandøsund (Hvasser north) approx. 3,6 km.
Round trail from Sandøsund or Lilleskagen. From Sandøsund and north to Lilleskagen there is partly a narrow path, going over rocks and may be a little rough. From Lilleskagen towards the parking and beyond, there is mostly a wide road, gravel road and partly asphalt.
A map with hiking opportunities in Færder can be downloaded from Færder municipality's website. Free maps can also be obtained at the Services Center at Nøtterøy Town Hall. Note: The map and descriptions are only in Norwegian.
Søndre Hella is a popular swimming and hiking area, and also offers one of the largest burial grounds in the Vestfold area.
There are clear signs that several of the graves have been looted over the years, and even if archaeological investigations have not taken place, it can still be safely said that the resting places contain people of high status.
Søndre Hella faces west with a view of Vestfjorden.
On Søndre Hella and by Øra, Nøtterøy can boast the "Devil's table", a stone formation consisting of a large boulder on top of several smaller boulders. Whether this is natural or man-made is not known. The formation is thought to be connected to the burial ground.