Reventlow-Museet Pederstrup

About the museum

Pederstrup has been known since the Middle Ages and passed to the Reventlow family in 1725. Christian Ditlev Frederik Reventlow had the present main building erected in 1813–1822 in the Empire style; he designed it in its basic outlines himself, assisted by the architect C. F. Hansen. Reventlow was among the leading minds of the Danish agrarian reforms around 1800 and was also interested in forestry and schooling. For him, his wife Frederikke, and their children, Pederstrup was the "Lolland paradise" far from Copenhagen. Around 1860 his grandson converted the house into a castle with towers in the style of the time; in 1871 a large riding hall was added.

After the estates were sold in the 1930s, the main house and park were preserved. The Reventlow-Museet was founded in 1938 and opened in 1940; during the restoration the house regained its classicist form from Reventlow's time. Since 2010 the museum has belonged to Museum Lolland-Falster, and the owner is Lolland Kommune.

The museum is furnished as a historic residence: furniture, portraits by well-known painters, and personal belongings fill the rooms in which the family lived. The exhibition "Fri og ufri" examines the reforms of the 18th century including their dark sides – from the noble circle of friends to poor cottagers to enslaved people. In the basement is the manor kitchen with a large stove from around 1860, where historical cooking takes place regularly. The museum also includes the romantic landscape park with lakes, tea house, and ice house, as well as the riding hall with the exhibition "Herregård og Landskab".

Highlights

• Furnished living quarters of the Reventlow family from around 1800
• Portrait collection with works by Jens Juel and other well-known painters
• Manor kitchen with restored stove, where a cook prepares food in the historical manner
• Exhibition "Fri og ufri" on reforms and their dark sides
• Reventlowparken in the English landscape style, freely accessible year-round
• Riding hall of 1871 with an exhibition on Lolland's manor houses

Permanent exhibitions

• Fri og ufri – The reforms of the late 18th century from the perspective of the Reventlow count and countess, poor cottagers, and enslaved people – with their bright and dark sides.
• Herregård og Landskab – Exhibition in the riding hall on the role of six Lolland manor houses in agriculture and landscape, past and present.
• Himmelmesteren fra Sandby – Life and mechanical celestial machine of the emigrated inventor Hans August Larsen, who lived with mental illness.

Founded

1938

Operated by

Museum Lolland-Falster

Admission & discounts

Online tickets plus a DKK 5 booking fee, valid for one week; not for special events. The park is freely accessible.

Accessibility

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

The listed main building can only be reached via the main staircase (with handholds and railing); unfortunately the first floor is accessible to wheelchair users only via stairs. By arrangement at +45 25 59 34 61, wheelchair users can reach the basement through the old kitchen door; the basement floor is uneven. The exhibition in the riding hall can be reached via a ramp. Two accessible parking spaces; visitors with walking difficulties can be dropped off directly in front of the main building by arrangement. Accessible restrooms at the parking lot and in the basement. Scents are used in the interpretation; the lighting relies mainly on daylight. Further information at GodAdgang.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

For family outings and children's birthday parties, the museum puts together tours in the house and the park individually. The park has room for picnics and croquet as well as an orienteering course. Children under 15 only when accompanied by adults.

Getting there & parking

The museum lies on several cycling routes in western Lolland.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available

Café Frederikke is open during the season (next opening from June 1, 2027); when the museum is open, ice cream and coffee are available, and croquet sets can be borrowed. Picnics in the park are allowed. Dogs are allowed on a leash in the park but not in the museum.

Events & venue rental

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

Weddings in the Kongesalen year-round via Nordic Adventure Weddings; house and park can be rented for photo and film shoots (DKK 8,000 plus VAT per day). The riding hall can be rented for events and private celebrations; company outings with a program on request.

Plan your visit