DAY 1

Join us on a very packed tour of six gardens. We’ll experience magical herbs, manor house gardens, a Japanese inspired place and admire Sweden’s prettiest privy. All on one and the same day. 

Örtagården i Dals Rostock, Brunnsparken, 464 50 Dals Rostock
Eka Miljörum, Ekagatan, 666 31 Bengtsfors, Sverige
Von Echstedtska gården, Västra Smedbyn, 661 94 Säffle

Today's first destination is at the foot of Kroppefjäll, or more precisely in Brunnsparken, at the Örtagården Herb Garden in Dals Rostock. We’re fascinated by the hundreds of specimens that have been planted here, including herbs, shrubs, medicinal plants and heritage garden plants. The plants are clearly in great condition and excellently labelled. It’s even more exciting when we also discover herbs used for witchcraft and sorcery! The herb garden was created in memory of Johannes Henriksson, one of Sweden's foremost herbalists. Down by the large pond, bees buzz next to the hive and interesting aquatic plants catch our eye. Dals Rostock is a historic health spa, with a local history museum, summer café, textile museum, antique shop and an artist's studio in the town. As the garden sells plants we of course buy some herbs from here. It smells lovely in the car as we continue our journey.

Today's second destination is Eka Miljörum and the contrast with Eka Miljörum is striking. What a varied tour this is! The Eka Miljörum Environmental Sanctuary has an intriguing history. This was once contaminated land that has been given new life through extensive redevelopment. From being somewhere no one wanted to be, it is now a perfect place for an excursion. Stone and water are the main themes and inspiration has come from Japan. The water garden has been built in locks and we walk the longer path. Viewing chambers have been built here giving visitors an insight into what garden art can be. It’s both fascinating and different. There is a butterfly park south of Eka Miljörum and at the northern end of the Eka bridge a lock park. We sit down here and rest our legs next to the Dalsland's canal. Our thoughts revolve around water, both as an important element in a garden and in life in general.

Today's third and final destination is the von Echstedt manor, about 50 minutes by car from Eka Miljörum. Here, magical herbs mingle with Värmland apple varieties. The apple orchard is unique, as only varieties from Värmland are grown here. The manor itself is magnificent and the 18th century interior paintings take our breath away. We have heard that there is an outdoor privy like no other and our curiosity is naturally piqued. The privy turns out to be big enough for five adults and two children and we can see why it is considered the most beautiful in the country. Because it’s summer, the manor is putting on an art exhibition which we’d like to go and see. Afterwards we head to the café with its tasty offerings. We sit on the small hill in front of the café and enjoy both the view of Lake Summel and the delicious coffee. A fine end to today’s garden journey.

We’re really satisfied with our first garden day.

DAY 2

It’s a lovely day, where we get to experience the Middle Ages, soft mules and a magical fairy tale tree.

The Herb Garden at Lödöse museum, Museivägen 1, 463 71 Lödöse
Vårviks Gård, Vårviks Gård, 461 59 Trollhättan
Stadsparken Trollhättan, Kungsportsvägen 1, 461 39 Trollhättan

The Herb Garden at Lödöse museum is the is the first stop of the day. We walk along gravel paths, enjoy the splendour of the flowers and study the many plants that the Herb Garden boasts. We head to the centre of the Herb Garden, because we’ve heard it’s a very special place. And indeed it is, with gently babbling water in a well. We sit down and take in the surroundings with calm breaths. This is an oasis for all the senses and quietly and thoughtfully we contemplate all the beautiful things we have seen on this, 

Apart from the herb garden there’s an interesting museum here with fantastic exhibitions, a cosy cafe and a museum shop. Archaeological digs have been carried out on the site since the beginning of the 20th century and the whole place is an oasis for history lovers. Thoughtfully we contemplate all the beautiful and exciting things we’ve been able to experience here.

^{Roses in the foreground by Lödöse Museum.}

Our journey now carries on to Vårviks Gård. What’s unusual about this is that it’s a farm in the middle of Trollhättan town centre. The farm dates back to the 16th century and is today a meeting place for all ages. We look around and, as it should be, we see children, young people and the elderly enjoying the place. Since herb gardens have become a bit of a theme for this trip, we head towards Vårvik's version of just that, their herb garden. It’s amazing how fascinating herbs can be. In addition to the beautiful flower beds, green spaces and vegetable beds, there are also some petting animals here. Of course, it is not just children who can caress a warm muzzle or pat a soft rabbit on the back. We say thank you for the visit and since the weather favours us, it will be a 20 minute walk to the last destination of the day, Trollhättan's Town Park.

The Town Park in Trollhättan is a historic place, with a long history of being somewhere for the locals to gather. Those with a few years under their belts happily remember when the dance floor’s coloured lanterns shone with hopes for a dance or two. We decide to enjoy the Japanese inspired garden with its lovely azaleas and cherry trees. Walking over the little bridge we can hear the water babbling beneath us. It really is atmospheric. The children in the park seem more than satisfied with the tivoli playground, and especially with its magical fairy tale tree. In the Pumphuset an art exhibition catches our eye. Before we leave the Town Park we naturally stop for a fika and pause to summarise our two day trip along the Inland Road. We are all very much in agreement that the journey has been a success.