Äskhults by

About the museum

Äskhult is a village of four farms closely grouped around a village green. The village is first mentioned in 1592 under the name Escholt, and it is unique in that its old-fashioned buildings were never moved out of the village core during the land division reforms of the 19th century. Three of the residential houses were built in the 18th and 19th centuries, while the fourth and oldest was moved here in the 1970s. The farms are called Göttas, Jönsas, Bengts and Derras.

The area became a nature reserve in 1997 and has had the status of a cultural reserve since 2004. Since then extensive restoration work has been under way: fields have been ploughed, trees have been pollarded, cabbage gardens have been recreated and a heath has been laid out. The vision is for visitors to experience the whole of life in a farming village in the early 19th century, with horses instead of tractors and rare breeds such as Linderödssvin (Linderöd pigs) and Åsbohöns (Åsbo hens) during the summer half of the year.

The village is run by Kungsbacka Municipality together with the County Administrative Board of Halland and Västkuststiftelsen (the West Coast Foundation). During the season there are guided walks, activities for children and Bengts Kaffestuga (Bengt's coffee house), and four historic trails lead through the reserve.

Highlights

• Four farms around a village green, first mentioned in 1592
• Guided walks and children's activities during the summer
• Bengts Kaffestuga with traditional fika (coffee and cake break)
• Four historic trails in the cultural reserve
• Rare breeds and old local crop varieties in the fields

Permanent exhibition

• Äskhults by – The preserved farming village with four farms around the village green, cabbage gardens, pollarded trees and rare breeds.

Operated by

Kungsbacka kommun

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the village. Admission is charged at larger events.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Children's activities daily during the summer: children can churn butter, help with the farm's chores and try on old clothes. The self-guided trail Gårdstomten (The Farm Gnome), which tells its story, suits the whole family, and during the autumn holiday spooky walks are arranged.

Getting there & parking

Äskhult is in Fjärås, about two mil (Swedish miles) south of Kungsbacka. Take exit 58 from the E6 at Fjärås and then follow the signs to Äskhult; it is about 14 km from the E6 in total.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Bengts Kaffestuga serves traditional fika and simpler lunches, where possible with produce from the village's cabbage gardens. The coffee house can be rented for meetings, weddings and parties.

Events & venue rental

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

Bengts Kaffestuga can be rented for meetings, family celebrations, weddings and parties: SEK 3,000 for a full day and SEK 1,500 for a half day.

Plan your visit