To see & do locally
Herrtorps Qvarn is located in the countryside, in the heart of the Västra Götaland region! All around us, within easy reach, are plenty of sights and attractions to explore.
We are a certified Info-Point and happy to advise you on what to see and do in the area.
Gudhem Monastery Ruins
The royal estate in Gudhem was probably gifted to the Order of St Benedict by King Charles the VII sometime in the 1160s. There have, however, always been rumours that a monastery was founded here as early as in 1052. Based on the new findings from the archaeological digs in Varnhem, which brought back the time when Christianity emerged by 150 years, this is no longer impossible. Be this as it may; the monastery in Gudhem is still considered one of the earliest in Sweden. Gudhem is also home to the sarcophagus of Queen Catherine (a replica – the original is in Stockholm). Read more about this in the section about the history of the mill.
Varnhem and Kata gård
Varnhem Church is the burial place for a number of Sweden’s earliest Christian kings, including Birger Jarl, who played a pivotal role in the consolidation of Sweden and founded the city of Stockholm. But this was a power centre long before the monks built a monastery in Varnhem. Archaeological excavations of the old church ruins have led to Swedish history being rewritten. The mystery of why there are no burial mounds from the Viking Age in Västergötland has now been solved… the Vikings were Christians and buried according to Christian customs.
The Geo-Park
From the megalithic monuments of the stone age to a flourishing bronze age, an iron age with emerging powers and gold imports, the large farms of the Viking age, monasteries, kings, bloody power struggles, and Swedish crusaders. The area between the mountains of Västergötland have provided the backdrop to many important events in the history of Sweden and is the cradle of the Svea Kingdom. However, none of this would have happened without the geological features of the mountains, which formed millions of years ago, and the resources they have contributed to human society.
Luttra gånggrift, Falköping
Falbygden’s megalithic site and Ekornavallen
The megalithic culture found along the European coast of the Atlantic and on the British Isles is also present here in Skaraborg, which actually has one of the greatest numbers of megaliths per square kilometre anywhere in the world. 75 percent of Sweden’s passage graves and cists are actually found in the Falbygden area. The eldest of these impressive stone monuments are approximately 5,500 years old. A journey around Falbygden is a journey in time.
Kinnekulle – the Flowering Mountain
”This place is more delightful than any other” wrote Carl Linnaeus about Kinnekulle. Thanks to its calcium-rich bedrock, Kinnekulle has a rich flora and fauna, and no less than 18 nature reserves. The area has plenty of walking trails traversing a varying natural landscape, including beech forests with wild garlic and grassland with orchids. There are also three highlands (Västerplana, Medelplana, and Österplana) with a several thousand year-long history to tell. The rock carvings at Flyhov, the rune stones at Källby hallar, King Olof Skötkonung’s Husaby, and the nearby bishopric, to mention but a few. Today, Kinnekulle has more large estates per square kilometre than any other part of Sweden.
Läckö Castle – Naturum
On a peninsula in the Eken Archipelago is this fairy-tale castle, which has been named ‘Sweden’s most beautiful castle’. The preserved baroque halls and the outdoor environment makes this an amazing place to visit in themselves, but the Castle also offers concerts, opera performances, exhibitions, and guided tours. A stone’s throw away is Naturum Vänerskärgården – Victoriahuset, which houses a high-quality exhibition about the unique natural and cultural environment of Lake Vänern.
Walking Trails in Nature Reserves
Walk through a breathtakingly beautiful natural landscape! Skaraborg offers the most variable habitats imaginable. Marshland, swamps and deep, enchanted forests. Undulating kame-landscapes with meadows full of delicate orchids. Moors and grassland. Lakes, archipelagos and waterways.
Valle – the most beautiful road in the world
You really must not miss the beautiful Vallevägen when you are in the area! Along this road, which winds its way through the ‘cherry valley’ are no fewer than 6 nature reserves with walking trails, and lots of nice places to stop at. There are also a number of different visitor attractions! The most beautiful road in the world is also suitable for cycling.
Skara – More than a thousand years old
It is difficult to imagine that this idyllic small town was once a religious and political centre of Sweden – a big city for people in medieval times. If there was shopping to do, Skara Market was the place to visit, where lots of exotic wares and handicraft were on offer.
Nowadays, the offering is more modest, but you can still enjoy the lovely shops and cafes along the medieval streets. Take the opportunity to visit the cathedral in the town centre, and do not forget the tourist office opposite, where you can find information about everything there is to see and do in Skara.