Frilandsmuseet Hjerl Hede
Open-air museum near Vinderup with 25 historic buildings, including Jutland's oldest farmstead, and living history in summer and at Christmas time.
About the museum
The founder was the merchant H. P. Hjerl Hansen (1870–1946), who had made a fortune as director of large butter export companies and later as founder of Plumrose. He wanted to preserve old craft traditions and customs that were threatening to disappear with industrialization. In 1930 he had Vinkelgården, a farmstead that tree-ring dating later placed in the winter of 1545/46, making it the oldest farm in Jutland, moved onto his previously acquired heathland – the beginning of the open-air museum.
In 1931 the grounds of about 1,200 hectares passed to the Hjerl-Fonden, which had them placed under protection in 1934. As early as 1932 the museum held a large folk festival, with which it tried, as one of the first open-air museums, to fill its old houses with life. Later a cooperative dairy, a forest and bog museum, a country bakery, and craftsmen's houses were added, showing the era of mechanization.
In 1979 the museum was separated from the foundation and run as a state-recognized specialized museum of cultural history; today it belongs to the Kulturhistoriske Museer in Holstebro. On about 20 hectares stand 25 buildings. A craft department of its own trains professionals in nearly extinct trades such as cooper and wheelwright. During the summer school holidays and on three Advent weekends, costumed performers show village life of times past.
Highlights
- Vinkelgården from 1545/46, Jutland's oldest farmstead
- Cooperative dairy and country bakery
- Forest and bog museum
- Living history with performers in summer and on Advent weekends
- Historic playground and animals on the grounds
- Horse-drawn wagon rides with a guide
- Founded
- 1930
- Operated by
- De Kulturhistoriske Museer i Holstebro (KulMus)
- Director
- Kasper Rathjen
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 110 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | DKK 100Seniors aged 65 and over and students (for online purchase) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and teenagers under 18 accompanied by an adult free, but they need a ticket. |
| Seniors | DKK 100From age 65; at the ticket desk DKK 110. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · People with disabilities pay regular admission; a companion with a valid companion card (ledsagekort) is free (not for paid activities). |
| Students & apprentices | DKK 100At the ticket desk DKK 110. |
| Groups (20+ people) | DKK 100 per personFrom 20 adults, at the ticket desk only when arriving and paying together. Package deals with guided tour and catering DKK 195–349 per person. |
| Admission at the ticket desk | DKK 120DKK 10 cheaper online. |
| Living history summer and Christmas | DKK 175Online price for adults (ticket desk DKK 185); seniors and students DKK 140 online (ticket desk DKK 150), groups of 20 or more DKK 150. |
| Walk on closed days | DKK 40Per adult, via MobilePay or online; houses closed. |
| Annual pass | DKK 32512 months from activation, not for special and evening events; 50% discount at Nordsøen Oceanarium, AQUA, Kattegatcentret, and Den Gamle By. |
Prices vary by season; online DKK 10 cheaper than at the ticket desk. Free admission with ICOM, MMU, ODM, and DKM VIP card (at the ticket desk only). HK members receive a 20% discount for themselves and one adult companion. Dogs on a leash free. Discounts cannot be combined.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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
Many paved paths can be used by nearly all wheelchairs and strollers. Wheelchairs and rollators can be borrowed free of charge at the visitor center (reservation recommended). All restroom facilities have at least one accessible restroom.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
During school holidays there are family activities and role-playing games, in the autumn holidays for example carving turnip lanterns. Historic playground next to the restaurant, animals to pet (do not enter the enclosures). Baby changing tables in all restroom facilities. The spooky program "Mørket" in the autumn holidays is not recommended for children under 10.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Vinderup Station
No direct connection: train to Vinderup Station, then about 7 km by taxi from there.
By car
Free parking
Free parking lot at the museum.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Restaurant Skyttegaarden in the middle of the museum (lunch, coffee and cake, ice cream; closed Mondays and Fridays). Picnic house for about 100 people; picnicking allowed anywhere on the grounds, barbecuing prohibited. Museum shop in the visitor center. Small lockers (deposit DKK 10) and coat racks. Hand wagons can be borrowed for a fee. Dogs on a leash welcome, but not in the houses.
Events & venue rental
Restaurant Skyttegaarden (independent operator) hosts parties and celebrations with up to about 110 guests.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | For a walk around the 20-hectare grounds, the museum recommends 1–3 hours. Group tours (90 minutes, up to 25 people per guide) from May to June and from August to October, not during living history; booking at least 14 days in advance. On Wednesdays 13:00–14:00 (August–October) guided horse-drawn wagon rides. Learning materials and programs for schools and daycare centers. |
