At Sundbyholm Castle, guests come to be taken care of and to enjoy beautiful surroundings. The romantic setting has become known nationally through the TV program Farmer Wants a Wife, among other things. The castle, originally built by marshal Carl Carlsson Gyllenhielm, is located by Lake Mälaren outside Eskilstuna. Today, the castle building houses a restaurant and banquet halls, while around it, hotel rooms are found in both modern and older buildings.
The hotel offers several different packages. During summer, the focus is on outdoor activities in the beautiful surroundings. The 36-kilometer-long Gyllenhielmska trail starts from Sundbyholm, and the hiking packages are popular. It is easy to go for both long hikes and short walks in the forest around the castle. Discover Europe’s northernmost beech forest, which provides a very special shimmer when the sun filters down through the leaves. Bring binoculars and climb up to the bird tower, maybe you’ll spot the osprey, the provincial bird of Södermanland.
Just a fifteen-minute walk from Sundbyholm Castle lies Södermanland’s largest rock carving. The Sigurd Carving tells the story of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer. A story that often recurs in Old Norse and Germanic traditions and also served as the basis for Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
– In Sundbyholm, we have one of Lake Mälaren’s longest sandy beaches. For the summer, we are buying canoes so that our guests can also venture out onto the lake. In the guest harbor below the castle, you can also rent floating bridges, says Christin Widerberg, who runs Sundbyholm Castle with her husband.
In the guest harbor, there is also a café and restaurant where you can have a meal or enjoy a delicious ice cream on the pier.
Private entrance to rooms directly from nature
Many of the hotel rooms are located in small houses with entrances directly from nature.
Breakfast and à la carte dinner are served in the beautiful halls of the castle, or on the terrace if the weather permits.
Junior suites with two bedrooms and direct access to the park are also suitable for families with children. There’s much for the little ones to discover in Sundbyholm. By the long sandy beach, a playground has been created drawing inspiration from the surrounding nature. Here you’ll also find an exhibition where you can learn more about birds in the area. For more exotic wildlife experiences, a visit to Parken Zoo in Eskilstuna is recommended.
For a touch of luxury, book into the Manor House. After a major fire at the end of the 18th century, Sundbyholm Castle stood empty for many years. The Manor House was built in the 19th century and was the main building of the estate for a long time. It was here that Prince Eugen stayed when he visited Sundbyholm and painted his famous painting The Old Castle. Today’s suites in the Manor House are decorated in 18th-19th-century style. Here you can enjoy both private spa baths and saunas.
Text by: Elin Stenman