Villa Fridheim

About the museum

Villa Fridheim lies on Bjørøya in Krøderfjorden in Krødsherad. The timber merchant Svend Haug (1832–1891) and his wife Thea leased the island from 1890, and Thea bought it in 1902. The country house was designed by the architect Herman Major Backer and consisted of prefabricated elements from Haug's sawmill in Drammen. The parts were transported by railway to Krøderen and onward by horse, sledge and boat. The family used the place as a holiday home, and for some years as a residence, until around 1912.

The house is a Swiss-style chalet with a function hall inspired by the Dragon style (dragestilen) on the first floor (andre etasje). The steam-heated central boiler, indoor plumbing and English-inspired garden show that the family followed the innovations of their time.

Today Villa Fridheim is run as a museum by Buskerudmuseene and is often called Eventyrmuseet. The façade is reminiscent of a fairy-tale castle, and inside the house the fairy tales follow through several floors: the hall and the staircase are decorated by Egil Torin Næsheim, and in the great hall hang fairy-tale paintings by Fritz Thaulow and his artist friends. On the first and second floors (andre og tredje etasje) stand fairy-tale tableaux, some with audio narration and QR codes.

Highlights

• Swiss-style country house on an island in Krøderfjorden
• Fairy-tale tableaux on the first and second floors, some with audio narration
• Fairy-tale paintings by Fritz Thaulow and his students in the great hall
• Fru Thea's Café (Fru Theas Kafé) with freshly made waffles
• Garden, play room and canoe rental for the whole family

Permanent exhibition

• Eventyrutstillingene – Fairy-tale tableaux, wall paintings and fairy-tale motifs throughout the house, with audio narration and QR codes on the first floor.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Buskerudmuseene

Admission & discounts

The Buskerud museums' annual pass gives access to 65 cultural experiences in five counties.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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 whole ground floor (første etasje) is accessible to wheelchair users; contact the staff and they will bring a ramp. The rest of the building is not adapted, and there is no accessible toilet in the building. The toilets are in the basement. The outdoor area is accessible for everyone in summer.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Playground / play area

A large play room on the main floor where children can dress up, draw and play. Outside there are stilts, kubb, smashball, badminton, a play house with sandpit and a witch's garden (heksehage). Canoes and life vests can be rented, but an adult must accompany the children.

Getting there & parking

From the roundabout in Noresund the way to Villa Fridheim is signposted. Follow county road 192 for about 850 metres, turn left and drive 2.3 km, then turn left again onto the country road and follow it for 1.2 km. Arrival by boat is possible at the villa's own jetty.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Fru Thea's Café serves freshly made waffles, cakes and food during the museum's opening hours. For groups, Afternoon Tea is offered in the old parlours and food is served by arrangement.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 75 guests.

The function hall on the first floor (andre etasje) has room for 75 guests, and the old dining room on the ground floor for 50. The house can be used for weddings, confirmations and other gatherings. Own jetty for boat arrivals, garden and outdoor stage.

Plan your visit