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Skåne / Sweden

Northvikens gardens in Båstad - The secret garden - Skåne

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Northvikens gardens took me by storm. When I was a child, I read many books, about everything from Kulla-Gulla to flying thunder devils. But one of the books that I remember most strongly was about a garden. The secret garden. When I visited Norr for the first time a few weeks agovikens gardens, the book found its way out of my memory again. For me it was Northviken my very own secret garden. Like a small beautiful present that I was surprised and happily unfolded and opened piece by piece as I walked around the gardens.

Northvikens gardens

What is North?viken?

Northviken is not some royal garden at a grand palace, but the result of one man's dream. The gardener Rudolf Abelin. At the beginning of the 20th century, Rudolf Abelin found this place outside Båstad in northwestern Scania, a place with a very favorable climate and with opportunities to both grow fruit and create a garden that would be beautiful to all senses. Here he built Villa Abelin for the family and created a garden based on inspiration he got from his travels in Europe.

I must admit that I had never thought of visiting the Northvikens gardens until this year. I don't even remember hearing about the park before? But I can reveal that we became so fond of the park that we have now bought annual passes. Because if there's any place I want to experience the changing hand of the seasons, it's here.

Northvikens gardens

In the northviken Rudolf wanted to create the world's beauty in miniature, with six style gardens. He created The baroque garden with its pompous fountains, The water garden with its white temple and sea of ​​hydrangea, the well-trimmed The Renaissance garden, the enchanting Japanese garden in the ravine, the The Eastern terrace with the small temple and the Romantic garden with rhododendron splendor. In recent years, new gardens have also been created, including a children's garden with room for extra running and play. For Northvikens gardens do not stand still, they evolve and are renewed every year.

It's hard to name a favorite in the park, but if I had to choose just one garden, it would have to be the Japanese Garden. Here, among the blood-red maple leaves and the cooling shade in the gorge, it's a little extra lovely to sit down on a bench.

Northvikens gardens

Northviken is not only a lovely place for adults, but also for both children and dogs. The children can easily have fun in Hasse's happy (and edible) garden or learn all about bees in the bee garden, scout for newts and peacocks or play a game of chess in one of the small park oases. This year's exhibition "Year of the Forest" is also like a magical fairytale path in the forest, with lots of imagination-provoking art.

Dogs are very welcome and there are even special fresh water taps with dog bowls where the four-legged friends can quench their thirst on hot days.

Fountain with running water in a tunnel of trees
Magically beautiful pond surrounded by hydrangeas in the Northviken

A tip is to take the opportunity to have a lunch or coffee on site in the park. The orangery in Villa Abelin has a lovely outdoor terrace overlooking the Japanese garden. A really good lunch is served here that makes you happy. We ate lightly boiled linguine with crayfish sauce and new potatoes and enjoyed every bite. Dogs are also allowed in the outdoor dining area.

The Chocolaterian right by the parking lot is best for a coffee with chocolates. The pralines are both beautiful and tasty, and the outdoor dining area has a view of the sea. However, the lunch was a bit uneven (the pizza tasted mostly of ketchup, but my club sandwich was perfectly ok), so I recommend the Orangerian for food.

Outdoor seating with parasols
Three pralines on a heart-shaped plate
Lightly boiled linga with new potatoes on a plate

When will I go to the North?viken?

Northvikens gardens are (in 2021) open daily from May to September. During October and November/December it is open on certain days (mainly weekends - check the website before you go here!)

Northviken is not a large park, but the different gardens together take a few hours to visit. If you are quick and don't stop and neither have a coffee nor visit the exhibitions, you can do the park in an hour. If, like us, you want to enjoy yourself a bit and also have lunch - count on 3 hours.

Adults cost SEK 150 (2021) and children under 18 are free. We bought the season ticket for SEK 250, so if you plan to go here more than once this year, it pays to have a season ticket.

Please pre-book your ticket on the website! Then you avoid the queues at the entrance. Also take the opportunity to download Norr in advancevikens tårdenar's mobile app for map and information.

Pink and blue hydrangeas
The house on kullen seen from the Japanese garden

Do you want to read more from the North?viken and Scania?

Look into Northvikens web page, or find more inspiration on my Scania page!

Wants you can see more pictures from the Northviken? Just keep scrolling 🙂

Moss-covered swing in the forest
Two people on a park bench in the Japanese garden
Colorful in the Japanese garden
Blue hydrangea
The house seen from the oriental house
Club sandwich on a plate
The hydrangea garden overlooking the house
Red and green large leaves
The house seen from below with the outdoor dining area
Pink leaves cover the ground under a tree
Greenhouse at the Orangerie with a bridge over
Pink and blue hydrangeas
Wooden chair in the gazebo
Two art installations in the forest
Pink water lilies
The stairs to the Japanese garden
Greenhouse and lawn
The house in the Northvikens gardens seen from above
Tree with red leaves in the Japanese garden
Wooden chair in the small house of the oriental garden
Terracotta pot in the baroque garden
Female statue in the Northvikens gardens
View of a castle-like house
Greenhouse with lavender
Blue bells
Small stone temple in the Japanese garden
Walk in the Japanese garden surrounded by colorful deciduous trees
View of the Orangery's outdoor seating area on a height
Three agapanthus balls
Conformed trees in an aisle in front of a greenhouse
Do you want to see more from Scania?

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About the blogger

Travel blogger, gastronaut, photographer and family adventurer with over 55 countries in his luggage. Eva loves trips that include beautiful nature, hiking boots and well-cooked food. On the travel blog Rucksack she takes you to all corners of the world with the help of her inspiring pictures and texts.

2 Comments

  • Anna
    28 August, 2021 at 21: 59

    What a nice park! I hope I can go there now in September. But then maybe the hydrangeas won't bloom anymore?

    Reply
    • Eva Gyllenberg
      29 August, 2021 at 13: 04

      Hope you get there this fall! If the hydrangeas are not in bloom, the park is certainly beautiful in autumn colors regardless 🙂

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