Tjolöholm Castle - a visit to a fairytale world

Tjolöholm Castle is a stunningly beautiful building, with sumptuous architecture and exciting technical convenience solutions from the very beginning of the 20th century. This is a castle you don't want to miss!

Tjolöholm Castle

You don't really know what words to use when describing Tjolöholm Castle. On their own website they write that the castle is said to be "one of Sweden's strangest buildings". Well, maybe? It always feels a bit un-Swedish. But most of all we are impressed. This must be one of Sweden's most beautiful castles, and as you walk through the rooms it's hard to remember to close your mouth...

Tjolöholms Slott is located on a peninsula in Kungsbackafjorden in Halland, about 40 kilometres south of Gothenburg.

History of the castle - British style and premature death

The Tjolöholm estate has been known since the 13th century and the land has been owned by a number of noble families. In 1892, Tjolöholm was bought by the Swedish-British couple James Fredrik and Blanche Dickson. They built a large stud farm for breeding thoroughbred horses.

In 1897, Blanche Dickson organised a competition for architects to design an Elizabethan-style castle. Although architect Lars Israel Wahlman came second in the competition with his entry 'Hobgoblin', it was he who eventually won the honour of designing Frederick and Blanche's castle.

He was inspired by the UK's Arts & Crafts movement, which focused on crafts and artisanship as a reaction to the industrial revolution.

Both Mr and Mrs Dickson passed away suddenly.

James Frederick Dickson saw almost nothing of the castle, as he died shortly after construction began. After cutting his finger, he wrapped leaded paper from a bottle around the injury, resulting in blood poisoning that he did not survive.

Blanche Dickson was very involved in the castle and, after her husband's death, ensured that the building was completed. The castle was completed in 1904, but Blanche didn't get to enjoy it for very long either. Two years later, she travelled to Ceylon (today's Sri Lanka) to visit her brothers who had a tea plantation there. During the long boat journey home, she contracted dysentery and died in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

New owners for Tjolöholm Castle

Tjolöholm was inherited by James Fredrik and Blanche's daughter, also named Blanche, who married Count Carl Bonde. Together with their four sons, they lived at the castle until 1920, when they divorced.

Blanche then continued to use the castle as a summer house, and after her death the entire property was purchased by the City of Gothenburg. Since 1987, the estate has been a foundation, with Kungsbacka municipality as the principal.

The gardens of the castle

Architect Lars Israel Wahlman was not only commissioned to design a castle, but also to design the gardens. And what a success he was!

Tjolöholm Castle has a beautiful location, with views of the sea from the castle and gardens.

There is also a kitchen garden and flower beds. You can explore the gardens on your own if you wish, or take a guided garden tour with one of the castle's expert gardeners.

A tour of the castle

While the castle is magnificent on the outside and the gardens are stunning, the real highlight is visiting the interior of Tjolöholm Castle. The castle's halls and rooms are impressive and offer countless carved details and design surprises. You will also be fascinated by all the technically clever solutions - often extremely high-tech and advanced for their time.

Normally there are guided tours, but due to the pandemic, you have to walk around on your own with a written guide instead. But here and there in the rooms we encountered the castle's staff, who enthusiastically answered all our questions. There was no mistaking their enthusiasm. And who wouldn't be committed and enthusiastic if they could work in such a fantastic environment?

We show a selection of our photos, but even though there are many, don't be fooled into thinking you've already seen everything. Far from it! The castle is huge and every millimetre is decorated in a new inventive way. You can enjoy studying stuccoes, paintings and the facial expressions of various small figures.

Even details such as lamp buttons, handles and knobs are decorated. On the railing of the grand staircase there are four figures, two of which are Mickel Fox and Bock Bruse. The other two are secretive... like so much else in this house!

In the main parlour there is a piano, but not just any piano. One of the enthusiastic employees offered to demonstrate. You don't need to know anything about playing the piano. You just choose a piece you like and then step on the pedals ... and suddenly beautiful notes come out of the instrument!

But it's not just the "self-playing" piano that surprises. How about a hand-woven knife polishing machine? Or perhaps a photogenerated hairdryer that you place behind your chair and then unfold your hair over it?

The castle bathrooms are equipped with a circular shower, which sprays water from above, from the sides and from below. This was as modern as it gets in 1904!

Exhibitions at Tjolöholm Castle

As well as seeing all the beautiful rooms at Tjolöholm Castle, there are also various exhibitions. This year, the exhibition "Queen Victoria - dressed to rule an empire" is about exclusive 19th century royal fashion.

In addition, an exhibition on underwear in the Victorian era is currently on display.

Tjolöholm Carriage Museum

Before or after your visit, you can also take a look at the carriage museum. Here you can see carriages and sleighs, but also, for example, saddles for "noble women" (that is, women who were not allowed to do something as immoral as sitting astride a horse). However, the most interesting thing here is the vacuum cleaner, which weighs one tonne (!). You can see the vacuum cleaner below, and the different nozzles in a separate picture on the left ...

Allmogebyn

When visiting Tjolöholm Castle, don't miss checking out the incredibly charming Allmogebyn. Blanche Dickson was very involved in the construction of the servants' quarters, which became a small 'ideal community' in the national romantic style. One of the cottages (Hemtrefnaden) is decorated as a museum cottage, and the others can be rented for accommodation.

Blanche Dickson had a strong social commitment, making sure that every home was fit for purpose and had its own small kitchen garden. She even awarded prizes for the best kept gardens, and when a child was born in the workers' village, the parents received a set of baby clothes and five crowns in a savings account.

The workers' village also had an infirmary, Folkets hus (now Storstugan) and a fine castle church.

Natural areas around Tjolöholm Castle

Tjolöholm Castle is beautifully situated, surrounded by sea and green nature. There are many different walking paths for those who want to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Visiting Tjolöholm Castle

All in all, we can conclude that Tjolöholm Castle is a fantastic place to visit, whether you like nature, beautiful gardens, architecture, design or history. The castle is open every day during the summer and Friday-Sunday during the rest of the year. Sometimes opening hours may change due to temporary events, so please check the castle's own website before visiting.

A visit to the castle currently costs 150 SEK for adults and 75 SEK for children (2021). In the castle area there is a food service, coffee and activities for children.

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

Accommodation is available in Allmogebyn. For those travelling with a motorhome/caravan, there is a separate area in the large car park outside the castle which is signposted "Ställplats/Quick Stop". You are welcome here with a motorhome or caravan for a fee of SEK 185 per day. There are no services at the site, but there are toilets and showers at the car park, about 150 metres from the site. In addition to this site, camping is prohibited on the entire Tjolöholm peninsula.

Video from Tjolöholm Castle

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

If you like castles, you can also visit Gunnebo Castle and Gardenswhich is about four kilometres north of Tjolöholm. Nearby you can also visit Gothenburg and islands like Öckerö and Hönö. If you go south instead, it is about 4.5 kilometres to beautiful Varberg, with Varberg Fortress and all the lovely beaches. Another option is to take a trip to the art and culture centre. The textile city of Borås.

Have you visited Tjolöholm Castle?

How was your experience? Do you have any other good tips on what to see and do near the castle?

Facts about Tjolöholm Castle

• Landscape: Halland
• County: Halland County
• Municipality: Kungsbacka
• Location: In northern Halland, on a peninsula in the Kungsbacka fjord.
• Developer: James Fredrik and Blanche Dickson
• Architect: Lars Israel Wahlman
• Start of construction: 1898
• Completion: 1904
• Owners: Tjolöholm Foundation
• Read more: You can find more information at the castle's website.

Tours and activities

• Views: Currently, due to the pandemic, you can visit Tjolöholm Castle on your own, but guided tours are usually organised. Garden tours are also organised.
• Activities for children: "The hunt for the lost Tjolöholm", the Tjolöholm play village in Manegen and the beach with the play ship "Montrose". Under normal circumstances, dramatised children's shows are also organised.
• Experiencing nature: In the nature reserves there are opportunities for hiking, geocaching, bird watching, swimming, picking, kayak hire and more.
• Events: Under normal circumstances, the castle hosts various events such as the Christmas market, harvest festival, Easter celebrations, vintage car show, summer theatre and concerts.
• Weddings, parties and meetings: Weddings, parties, meetings, conferences and other events can be organised at the castle. Family dinners and weddings can also be organised in Storstugan.

Services and practical information

• Opening hours: You can visit Tjolöholm Castle all year round, daily during the summer and Friday-Sunday the rest of the year. Opening hours may vary depending on events and other activities. See the castle's website for current information.
• Prices: Admission to the castle is 150 SEK for adults and 75 SEK for children (2021). The playground costs 60 kr for children (2021).
• Toilets: There are toilets in Manegen, outside Magasinet, in Storstugan and at the car park.
• Food service: Restaurant Storstugan offers lunch and coffee. Café Manegen serves light lunches and refreshments. You are welcome to bring a picnic to the castle garden and nature areas.
• Shop: The castle shop sells gifts and delicacies.
• Accommodation: Accommodation in a private house in a historic setting is available in the Allmogebyn.

Accessibility

• Parking: If you have a parking permit for the disabled, you can park in the gravel car park closest to the parking machine, along the road to the beach northwest of the castle and outside Storstugan.
• Indoor environments: The main floor of the castle is accessible by means of a temporary ramp. The upper floors of the castle are only accessible by stairs. To book a guided tour for the visually impaired or with sign language interpretation, please contact the castle.
• Outdoor environments: Around the castle, Allmogebyn, Storstugan and Slottskyrkan there are wide walkways with fine gravel.
• Toilets: Accessible toilets are available in the Castle Shop, in the Great Hall and in the car park. The castle's accessible toilet opens when needed.

Find Tjolöholm Castle

• Car: From E6/E20 choose exit 58, Fjärås/Tjolöholm. Then follow the signs. There are approximately 3000 parking spaces at the castle.
• Municipal: Take the commuter train from Gothenburg to Kungsbacka, then bus 732 towards Frillesås. From the stop Torpa Smedja it is about a 3.5 kilometre walk. During some summer weeks there is also the "Hemesterbussen", which is a Hop On-Hop Off bus in Kungsbacka municipality.