Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: October 2026 | Stora Skuggan is a place where you easily forget that you are in Stockholm. There are green areas, pastures, a 4H farm and restaurants that are suitable for a break during the walk. For me, Helena, the area is also associated with many lunches and family memories.
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Stora Skuggan – a place with personal memories
The area around the University and the Natural History Museum has a special meaning for me. My mother worked at the University and my father at the Natural History Museum, and I also studied at the University for a period. I have therefore spent a lot of time in these parts of Stockholm.
Sometimes we would meet for lunch, often at Stora Skuggan. Here we could get out into the greenery and have a moment together, with a feeling of being in the countryside in the middle of the city.
The photos in this report are from 2016, when my mother invited me to lunch at Stora Skuggans Värdshus. We also took a walk in the surroundings and looked at the animals.
Stroll through the greenery on Norra Djurgården
Stora Skuggan is located on Norra Djurgården and is part of the Royal National City Park. Here, open grassy areas, pastures, trees and culturally historic buildings meet. It is a nice environment for a walk or some time outdoors, without having to leave Stockholm.
The area also has a long history. Stora Skuggan was built in the 1790s by Abraham Niclas Edelcrantz, who was, among other things, a poet, inventor and active at the royal theatres.
Today you don't need to have a specific goal to come here. It's fine to just walk, look at the surroundings and maybe sit down with something good. If you want to extend your excursion, you can continue towards Lappkärret, a small bird lake nearby.
Watch the animals at Stora Skuggans 4H farm
Stora Skuggans 4H farm contributes a lot to the rural feel. The farm is a non-profit organization where children and young people can learn about animals and nature, and works, among other things, to preserve Swedish land breeds.
Here you will find horses, cows, goats, sheep, rabbits and chickens. Visitors are welcome all year round, and the animals can be seen in the pastures around the farm. Which animals are in which pasture varies.
During my visit in 2016, I photographed two piglets. They will remain as a memory from that trip, even though today's animal husbandry is not exactly the same.
Lunch and coffee at Stora Skuggan
It's nice to combine the walk with lunch or coffee. In the area you will find both Stora Skuggans Värdshus and Skafferiet, with greenery all around.
When my mother and I ate at Stora Skuggans Värdshus in 2016, we had herring salad with mashed potatoes. I remember it as a very nice lunch – both for the food, the environment and the company.
The pantry is located in an old dragon barn near the 4H farm. You can also take a break here during the excursion. Check the current opening hours for the services if lunch or coffee is an important part of the plan.
Combine with the Natural History Museum
If you want to take a longer excursion in the area, you can combine Stora Skuggan with the Natural History Museum, which is also located near the University.
I have visited the Natural History Museum countless times. Since my father worked there, the museum has always had a special place in my life. It is also a great complement to a day out in nature.
Here at FREEDOMtravel there is a separate report where one of our guest writers talks about his visit to the museum with his grandchildren.
READ MORE: The National Museum of Natural History – Grandma Anna's Secret Journey
Good to know about the Big Shadow
- Location: On Norra Djurgården in Stockholm, within the Royal National City Park.
- Getting here: The red line of the metro to the University, followed by a walk through the university area. The inn indicates about a ten minute walk.
- By car: There is paid parking in the area, but the number of spaces is limited.
- 4H farm: Visitors are welcome all year round. Check current visiting hours and follow the instructions at the pastures.
- Lunch and coffee break: Stora Skuggans Värdshus and Skafferiet are located in the area. Opening hours vary.
- Our pictures: Photographed during the 2016 visit.
READ MORE: Things to do in Stockholm – attractions and experiences
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Slåttdalsskrevan - hiking in the Skuleskogen national park
Getsvedjeberget – hike to the pulpit on the High Coast
Art in the Stockholm metro - 16 stations to discover
Art in Stockholm - 12 art experiences
Swedish Museum of Natural History - Grandma Anna's secret winter journey
Today, Äventyrs opens in Stockholm - a modern adventure museum in the city centre
English (UK) 
Svenska
Steve says:
It's good for you nobodies to get a taste of 'country life'.
11 May 2016 - 8:11
nils-åke hansson says:
Truly an oasis in the middle of the city. I still remember Stockholm as a boy when we visited acquaintances then it was Gärdet.
11 May 2016 - 8:47
Lennart says:
When I was recruited to Stockholm, I was hesitant.
Pappers invited the whole family and showed off all the green oases.
The house we bought felt as much the country as Skärblacka.
Fåfängan is another nice place.
11 May 2016 - 8:53
Geddfish says:
What you show really looks like an oasis. Might be needed.
What I know most is probably the Stockholm archipelago. Wonderful and really the country!
Sunny hugs from green Lidköping!
11 May 2016 - 9:26
Ama de casa says:
It's really nice there at Stora Skuggan! I like Järvafältet too. Not directly "in the middle of the city", but it was close to where we lived and we often went there and walked, cycled and took a dip sometimes. We also rode the Icelandic horse a few times 🙂 🙂.
11 May 2016 - 9:42
Helena says:
It looks cosy there!
11 May 2016 - 10:35
Lena i Wales says:
Thanks for the tip! I didn't know that.
Talked to my son in Stockholm this morning and the sun was shining there. Here in Wales it has been raining for three days!
11 May 2016 - 12:58
Ruth i Virginia says:
Never heard of the Great Shadow. Looks very
nice. And fun to have a mother-daughter lunch. 🙂
HERRING BOX!!! I love herring in all forms.
There is nothing similar here.
11 May 2016 - 14:16
Anna, New York – My Bite of the Big Apple says:
These oases are priceless. It's been a while since I lived in Stockholm, so I don't have any "unknown" places in fresh memory. However, it is wonderful to have nature reserves so close to Stockholm. I'm thinking of the Nacka reserve.
To make a point, though, today I'm sharing an amazing "secret" garden in New York.
11 May 2016 - 15:06
admin says:
Steve, haha yes I think so 😉
Nils-Åke, you need some oases in a big city 🙂 .
Lennart, there are more nice and green areas in Stockholm than you might think! Agree that Fåfängan is nice!
Geddfish, yes the archipelago is of course also fantastic!
Ama de casa, Järvafältet I do not have such a good control of actually. But riding an Icelandic horse is cosy 🙂.
Lena in Wales, well for once it seems that we have better weather in Sweden than in many parts of Europe!
Ruth in Virgina, yes it was a nice lunch with my mum 🙂 And I can really understand that there are certain things in food you can miss when you live abroad for a long time. Herring is so good!
Anna, there are many nice nature areas near Stockholm, I don't think I've been to Nackareservatet though. Thanks for the tip about the garden in New York, even though it feels a bit distant at the moment 😉.
11 May 2016 - 16:56
Ditte says:
Stora Skuggan and the area there is a lovely oasis. Cosy to be invited for lunch there. And what is so nice is that there are many similar ones in Stockholm.
Right above Sveavägen is Observatorielunden with a nice café, in the middle of the city but very cosy.
Hagaparken is another and very nice along Brunnsviken. Ulriksdal with its park and greenhouse is soothing and their vegetarian buffet is super good.
The whole of Djurgården also offers a lot.
Stockholm is absolutely fantastic with so many beautiful oases in the city that are accessible to everyone.
11 May 2016 - 17:36
Matts Torebring says:
What happy piglets, unlike the ones you see placed in meat factories. What an idyll, we must find it sometime.
11 May 2016 - 20:41
JoY says:
I've never been there to eat. Looks nice in the greenery.
Hugs
11 May 2016 - 20:48
Deciree says:
It was a nice place. Nice to have quality time with mum too:)) Hugs
11 May 2016 - 21:33
BP says:
Yes, I/we have been there a few times, although we were not so close to the farm, so to speak;-)
We have only been to Skafferiet, probably because of the beautiful Magnolia trees there. The food is really good.
We haven't been to Stora Skuggans Värdshus - yet.
11 May 2016 - 21:56
admin says:
Ditte, thank you for many good tips on nice green oases in Stockholm! Stockholm is greener than many people think 🙂
Matts, yes, this is how you want animals to feel!
JoY, it's very nice!
Deciree, it was nice and we had time for both lunch and a walk 🙂 .
BP, glad you were here too! The pantry looks very nice too!
12 May 2016 - 7:16
Elisabeth says:
A wonderful place, but now it's a few years since I was there! Herring box and mashed potatoes sounded very good!
12 May 2016 - 22:11
steel city anna says:
Looks great! Hope this place will be left alone with continued nice nature and animals.
15 May 2016 - 13:56