Rydboholms slott i Roslagen - och Engelska parken

Writer: Helena Bergström

Rydboholm Castle in Roslagen is a private castle from the 16th century, and next to the castle is the beautiful English Park, where visitors are welcome. But to be able to find the English park, you have to know that it exists!

Table of contents

Rydboholm Castle in Österåker

Rydboholm Castle dates back to the Middle Ages and has been home to members of the older Stureätten, Vasaätten and Braheätten. The castle is still privately owned and no one is allowed to visit the castle or the castle garden. However, the large and beautiful English park is open to the public.

The castle is located at Kyrkfjärden in Österåker municipality, just north of Stockholm. The easiest way to get there may be to aim for Östra Ryd's church, which is on the same slip road.

A hidden gem at Östra Ryd's church

We probably wouldn't have found our way to Rydboholm Castle and the English Park, if it hadn't been for that lady we met at the... Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm. She said that she in turn received the tip from an acquaintance. And that's probably how it has to happen.

Information about the English Park is poor, and even when approaching the main road, there are no signs. You simply have to know that you have to turn off at the Östra Ryd churchand then follow the signs for "Rydboholms gård".

As you approach the castle, there is a car park where you can leave your car. You then walk past some nice old houses before reaching large heavy Securitas gates, which prevent you from entering the castle park. Instead, you can turn right, past some horse farms. And now there are actually (finally!) signs pointing to the "English Park".

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Rydboholm Castle through history

The name "Ryd" is prehistoric and is mentioned on a rune stone in the area. There are also several burial sites from the Iron Age, which indicate Viking villages from the time before the castle.

Stureätten and Vasaätten

In the early 15th century, "Gammelgården i Rydboholm" was built, which at that time was a wooden building. The first known owner was the Gustav Anundsen Stureand the estate later passed on to the Stureätten, and then to the Vasaätten through marriage. It is possible that Gustav Vasa was born at Rydboholm Castle, but this is not certain. It is known, however, that he spent much of his youth here.

brewing facilities

The castle was passed on to the Braheätten and in 1548, the Per Brahe the elder (1520-1590) construct a main stone building, which now forms the core of the present-day castle. The distinctive 'Vasatornet', a stand-alone structure, also dates from this period.

Per Brahe's son, Abraham Brahe, construction continued, including a tower that no longer exists. At the time, the castle was powerful and protected by moats. Outside were ships and sailing vessels, as the sea route was the natural access point at that time.

Perelle, Nicolas, 1631-1692 (Engraver) Dahlbergh, Erik, 1625-1703 (Commissioner) / Public domain

At the beginning of the 18th century, the castle was destroyed by fire, with the exception of the Vasa Tower. The eastern wing was added and the castle took on its current appearance with three U-shaped wings around an open courtyard.

There are several memorials from the time when the castle belonged to ... Magnus Fredrik Brahe (1756-1826). He was in opposition to the king and was arrested by Gustav III, but he and the king were reconciled on Gustav III's deathbed.

The Brahe family then kept the castle in their possession (with a few exceptions) until 1930, when the family was extinguished with the death of Count Brahe. Magnus Per Brahe (1849-1930). According to his will, Rydboholm was then taken over by the court stable master and freeholder William of Essen, Count Brahe's nephew.

Monument vid Rydboholms slott — Memorial stone to Magnus Fredrik Brahe (1756-1826)

Rydboholm Castle today

Rydboholm Castle is currently owned and occupied by the Countess of Stockholm. Elisabeth Douglas (née von Essen) and Count and financier Gustaf Douglas. Gustaf Douglas is one of Sweden's wealthiest people and had a personal fortune of USD 4.4 billion in May 2015, according to Wikipedia and the newspaper. The Richest.He is a major shareholder in many large companies, such as Securitas, Assa Abloy and Sweco.

The castle will have several beautiful and special rooms, such as "The Vasa Room" with decorated wall panels from the time of Per Brahe the Elder. There are also "The Birgitta Chamber" with decorated arches from the 17th century. However, the castle is completely private and none of this is on display to the public. You should also not expect to get close to the castle.

English Park

Although the public cannot visit the castle, they are welcome to stroll around the large English park. The park is located just west of the castle and extends all the way down to Hällsundet.

The park was created at the end of the 18th century by the then owner Magnus Fredrik Brahe. According to the fashion of the time, the park was given a lush and natural design, and was decorated with various memorial stones and gazebos.

You can stroll around the park for quite some time, and during your walk you may encounter, among other things:

Memorial stones on Magnus Fredrik Brahe and Catharina Koskull
Sacrificial bowl at Hällsundet
"Diogenes barrel" - a green gazebo in the shape of a barrel, with a bench and a view of Hällsundet. The barrel refers to the story of the Greek philosopher Diogenes, who was thought to live simply in a barrel.
Temple - a red temple at Hällsundet (top image)
Forest shelter - small wooden house with slanted chimney
Warehouse building - a red wooden building

Diogenes tunna vid Hällsundet i engelska parken — Diogenes barrel

Helena i Engelska parken vid Rydboholms slott — Forest shelter

We were here in April 2020, but looking at the ground, in some places it almost looked like autumn. Does anyone know why this is the case?

All in all, we can recommend a visit to the beautiful English park at Rydboholm Castle in Roslagen. Don't forget to say hello to the dragon!

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Looking for more things to see and do in the neighbourhood? If so, we have two tips:

Bogesund Castle is a beautiful 17th-century castle, and there are great hiking trails in the surrounding area. Distance from Rydboholm Castle: 16 min by car.
City of Vaxholm is a very charming little town with cosy restaurants and great views of the water. Distance from Rydboholm Castle: 17 min by car.

READ MORE: Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm - and Stora Slottsrundan.

Facts about Rydboholm Castle

Municipality: Municipality of Österåker
Location: At Kyrkfjärden in Östra Ryds parish
Developer: Per Brahe the elder
Previous owners: The older Stureätten and the Vasaätten and Braheätten.
Current owner: Elisabeth Douglas née von Essen and Gustaf Douglas
For visitors: The castle and castle park are not open to visitors, but the neighbouring English park can be visited.

Facts about the English Park

Location: At Rydboholm castle, down towards Hällsundet.
Established: In the 18th century by then owner Magnus Fredrik Brahe.
Buildings in the park: Temple, forest hut, Diogenes' barrel gazebo, sacrificial bowl at Hällsundet and several obelisks and memorial stones.

Finding Rydboholm Castle and the English Park

Car: Drive the E18 from Stockholm towards Åkersberga. At Arninge motorway junction turn off onto road 274 towards Vaxholm. Then turn off towards Östra Ryds kyrka. The castle is located just after the church, on the right.

All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

READ MORE: Castles in Sweden - 30 very beautiful Swedish castles
READ MORE: Experiences in Stockholm County - Norrtälje to Södertälje

13 Comments

Add yours →

Solan says:

We have our mushroom fields at Bogesund, so we found the English park by accident! ?
You are really phenomenal at finding natural areas!
Strange autumn colours....a mystery in a castle setting....

29 April 2020 - 8:27

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  But what fun that you found there by accident! 🙂 We thought the autumn colours were strange, but now we have received answers from others that beech forest apparently looks like that 😉.
  
  29 April 2020 - 16:57
  
Anonymous says:

Hi Helena!
I think it is a beech forest, where it looks like autumn. The leaves remain over the winter.
Mum

29 April 2020 - 8:38

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Well, ok, that could certainly be the explanation. Thank you very much!
  
  29 April 2020 - 16:58
  
Nils-Åke Hansson says:

Fun and interesting to follow you on the nature walk in Stockholm.

29 April 2020 - 9:27

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I'm glad it's appreciated 🙂
  
  29 April 2020 - 16:58
  
Lite mera rosa - Cornelia Tonéri says:

Oh, how cool. I love castles!
And when I read the last part and see that Gustaf Douglas is the owner of the castle. The same person who owns Stjärnorps castle ruin that we visited recently. 🙂
https://litemerarosa.com/2020/03/29/ruinen-och-ravinen-i-stjarnorp/

29 April 2020 - 10:46

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Well, it's exciting that it's the same owner! I saw the pictures on your blog. Cool ruin! Peter also loves castle ruins ðŸ™'
  
  29 April 2020 - 17:00
  
bmlarsreseblogg says:

Once again, what wonderful places you find and the spring weather has been fantastic even if it has changed in the last few days.
"Autumn forest", can it be beech and is there a beech forest so far north? I thought it looked about the same when we walked in Ekedalen's beech forest last week.

29 April 2020 - 12:18

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, it is actually a bit fun and exciting to discover the neighbourhood! 🙂 Yes, I think the beech forest is the explanation. My mum answered the same thing a little higher up in this thread.
  
  29 April 2020 - 17:01
  
Lena i Wales says:

Interesting story, thank you.
I have seen the castle from a distance when I was at the church hoping to get in, but it was closed, unfortunately. Certainly nothing about the park though.
Thanks for the nice report!

29 April 2020 - 12:19

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you were in the neighbourhood! No, it's not easy to know about the park. Hardly any signs until you are right next to it.
  
  29 April 2020 - 17:02
  
BP says:

Beautiful! Have actually been there, but never thought of the English park. Your photos are absolutely stunning.

29 April 2020 - 18:32

Rydboholm Castle in Roslagen - and the English Park

Writer: Helena Bergström

Rydboholm Castle in Österåker

A hidden gem at Östra Ryd's church

Rydboholm Castle through history

Stureätten and Vasaätten

brewing facilities

Rydboholm Castle today

English Park

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Facts about Rydboholm Castle

Facts about the English Park

Finding Rydboholm Castle and the English Park

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13 Comments

Solan says:

Helena says:

Anonymous says:

Helena says:

Nils-Åke Hansson says:

Helena says:

Lite mera rosa - Cornelia Tonéri says:

Helena says:

bmlarsreseblogg says:

Helena says:

Lena i Wales says:

Helena says:

BP says:

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