DAY 1 

Two gardens with shared qualities such as organic, locally grown, creative, and genuine. Join us and discover what unites a garden of possibilities with a castle garden.

Smedja Therese, Möjligheternas trädgård & skulpturpark Ouroboros, Husaby Furuborg, 533 95 Götene
Lilla slottsträdgården, Läckö Slott, 531 99 Lidköping

The first stop of the day is Smedja Therese, Möjligheternas trädgård & skulpturpark Ouroboros. There is so much to see here! We stroll around the garden, shaped into different rooms, and have a look in both the pavillion and the little greenhouse. Everything from fruit trees and berry bushes to masses of flowers flourish here, and its fantastic how the design of the garden works together with the artists whose works are displayed in the sculpture park. It really feels like the place is bubbling with creativity and fantasy. Luckily we've booked a tour of Therese's smithy and after admiring her craftmanship we take our leave.

Now we are ready for today's second and final destination which is the Walled Castle Garden at Läckö Castle. This oasis framed by high stone walls is a delightful kitchen garden where nothing is left to chance. The aim is to recreate the kitchen garden as it was originally intended to be. The heavy legwork of digging, planting, composting and nurturing is constantly ongoing. Growing is done organically and everything edible is harvested to be used in the castle's kitchen where it gets prepared the same day. It couldn’t be more locally produced! We can see that the vegetables are grown with a lot of love. Naturally, we’re eager to taste the delicacies ourselves and fortunately there is both a café and a restaurant here to satisfy our desire. But those who prefer to bring their own food will find many lovely picnic spots in the castle grounds. Anyone who wants to can end the day with a guided tour of Läckö Castle which is of course also a fantastic attraction, but we decide to pass for now. We are on a garden trip!

Some decide to extend their garden tour by another day and spend the night here at Naturum, Vänerskärsgården. The hotel is on the shore of Lake Vänern, a short walk from Läckö Castle.

DAY 2

A day that begins in a nature reserve, makes a stop in a magnificent park, and ends in a herb garden.
 

Handens Hus, Hisingsgården, Medelplana. 533 94 Hällekis
Hellekis Säteri, Hellekis Säteri, 533 94 Hällekis
Falkängens Örtagård, Falkängsvägen 3,533 74 Hällekis
 

Our first destination is Handens Hus, located on the slopes of Kinnekulle with Lake Vänern sparkling below. We have come to a place offering garden inspiration, handmade crafts and glorious flower beds that both we and the bees enjoy. Lavender, roses, mallows, orpine and daylilies are just some of the flowers that thrive here. Plants are allowed to self-seed giving the garden a relaxed and natural feel. Did you know by the way that the Kinnekulle plateau mountain is a nature reserve and one of Sweden's five biosphere reserves? In addition to the garden itself, crafts lovers will be able to get their fill of textiles, antiques, ceramics and ironmongery. After this enjoyable stop we continue on our garden journey.

Today's second destination is the stately Hellekis Manor. We do as Carl von Linné himself when he completed his famous journey around Wästgötaland and enjoy the splendour of the magnificent park that surrounds the manor. The park is renowned for its many beautiful and unusual deciduous trees including sweet chestnut, walnut, magnolia acuminata and a gingko tree that was planted here more than a hundred years ago! Us rose lovers are not disappointed, the fragrant rose garden takes our breath away. Thanks to the favourable climate, even more exotic plants thrive here and we almost feel as if we are in the Mediterranean. We fancy a sit down and a coffee and luckily there are opportunities to do that, both for those with their own picnic and others wanting something tasty from the café or restaurant. Sated and satisfied, we now feel ready to experience something completely different!

Before this wonderful day comes to an end, we would very much like to visit Falkängen’s Herb Garden, which we have heard so many good things about. There are more than a hundred different kinds of herbs here, and it is wonderful to stroll around, take in the scents, read the signs, and simply enjoy the surroundings. Falkängen is a place buzzing with activity, and the quality of both the art and the food is high. A handmade ceramic mug becomes a lovely souvenir from our visit — one to bring out when the autumn winds are howling and a warm cup of tea tastes especially good. A delightful day is drawing to a close.

DAY 3

Time for charming Mariestad to show its very best side

Universitetsparken med residensön i Mariestad, Marieholmsbron 3, 542 30 Mariestad
 

Today’s destination is Universitetsparken and the island residence in Mariestad. This destination is in two parts, the University Park itself and the Marieholm island residence. They are located next to each other, on either side of the river Tidan in Mariestad. On the island lies the magnificent residence that houses the Vadsbo Museum, well worth a visit. The borders in front of the building are inspired by late 19th century flower gardens. In the University Park there’s a mix of strollers, children playing, garden enthusiasts, students and researchers. The park is namely the result of a collaboration between Mariestad Municipality and the University of Gothenburg. Training courses are run here in, among other things, landscaping and garden crafts. Depending on the season, there will be different plants to enjoy, but as we are here in the summer we are rewarded with showy perennials in calming shades. There are several lovely places to sit and for anyone attracted by a touch of retail therapy, the shopping streets are just a stone's throw away. Mariestad offers both a varied selection of restaurants and accommodation. An ice cream in the harbour feels like a must, and while we are sitting there, we strike up a conversation with a Mariestad local who recommends that we take a trip out to nearby Torsö. We will save that tip for our next journey!