Egeskov Slot

About the museum

The moated castle was built by the nobleman Frands Brockenhuus, who had acquired the estate in 1545 through his marriage to Anne Tinhuus; the building was completed in 1554. It stands in a small lake on a foundation of oak piles, for which, according to tradition, an entire oak forest was felled. Brockenhuus was the royal fief holder in Nyborg and later Marshal of the Realm in the Northern Seven Years' War.

In the 17th century Egeskov changed hands several times, among others to the Ulfeldt, Parsberg and Krag families, who shaped the estate for about a hundred years. In 1784 Henrik Bille bought the property; through marriage the Bille-Brahe line arose, which modernized the castle extensively and had a new gate wing built in 1881. In 1882, Egeskov passed through another marriage to the Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille family, which still owns it today.

For visitors, the garden opened first in 1960, followed in 1967 by the Veteran Museum with historic cars, aircraft and motorcycles. The castle itself has been open to the public since the mid-1980s and is at the same time still lived in by the family – today by Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille and Princess Alexandra. The estate is financed without public subsidies and, besides the castle rooms, includes several museums, around 20 hectares of garden with hedges, rose beds and mazes, and a large play forest.

Highlights

• Renaissance moated castle from 1554 on oak piles
• Veteran Museum with over 100 cars, aircraft and motorcycles
• Falck Museum on the history of the Danish rescue service
• 20-hectare garden with 17 garden rooms, beech hedges and mazes
• Trætopstien: roughly 100-meter-long suspension bridge path in the treetops
• Castle exhibitions on the dresses of the ladies of the castle, dueling weapons and housekeeping

Permanent exhibitions

• Veteranmuseet – Over 100 historic cars, aircraft and motorcycles from the early 20th century to the 1980s, housed in an old barn.
• Falck Museet – Exhibition on the history of the Falck rescue service since its founding in 1906 in København, with equipment and technology from then to today.
• Camping Outdoor Museum – Nostalgic show on the history of camping with equipment and memorabilia.

Founded

1960

Operated by

Egeskov (Familie Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille, privat)

Admission & discounts

Online tickets are cheaper than at the ticket office. The ticket including the castle is valid in the 2026 summer season until October 18, the ticket for the park, play forest and exhibitions until October 25. Tickets for the winter season and for LUMINIS are offered separately in the ticket shop.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The listed castle is not accessible to wheelchairs because of the many stairs inside and outside. In the park mostly firm gravel paths (softer after heavy rain); the museum buildings have level floors with occasional changes in height. Wheelchairs can be borrowed, electric mobility scooters rented for DKK 70 per day (reservation at +45 62 27 16 25). Egeskov takes part in the God Adgang labeling scheme.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area

Large play forest (Legeskoven) with the treetop path Trætopstien, zip line, 11-meter-high climbing net, climbing castle, maze, moon car track and bouncy pillow. Wagons to borrow (DKK 60 per day, DKK 160 deposit, DKK 100 refunded); bottles and baby food can be warmed in the Labyrintkiosken and Museumskiosken.

Getting there & parking

By car via motorway Route 9 (Odense – Svendborg), exit 14 Kværndrup, then follow the signs.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Brasserie Rigborg in the former stables, Labyrintkiosken, Museumskiosken, Ishuset and other snack kiosks; picnicking is allowed. Shops: Slotsbutik, Indgangsbutik and plant sales from the estate nursery. Dogs on a leash welcome in the park, not in the museums and castle.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Celebrations (weddings, confirmations, corporate and family parties) in Brasserie Rigborg in the converted stables; inquiry via form.

Plan your visit