Alsters herrgård

About the museum

The history of Alsters herrgård goes back to the Middle Ages, when the River Alsterån and the proximity of Lake Vänern gave rise to a mill and works culture around Alsters kvarn (the mill). From the 17th century the mill was called a säteri (manor) and was owned by several royals and noblemen. The main building received its present appearance in the 19th century, when the merchant Jan Fröding bought and renovated it in neoclassical style.

The poet Gustaf Fröding was born at Alster in 1860. After the Fröding family’s time, the manor had several owners until the mid-20th century, when the last private owner donated the estate to Landstinget i Värmland (the Värmland county council). It was then run for some twenty years as a convalescent home, and the buildings were listed as cultural heritage (kulturminnesmärkta) in 1968.

The manor was opened as a memorial manor to Fröding in June 1976. Since 2003 it has been owned and run by Karlstad municipality. The white-painted main building and the falu-red wings are a classic example of a traditional Swedish manor. On the upper floor of the main building is the Frödingvåningen (the Fröding Apartment), a drawing-room setting inspired by the mid-19th century, with selected parts and stories about the poet, which is visited on a guided tour.

In the wings there are a gallery, shops and the exhibition premises of Länshemslöjdsföreningen i Värmland (the Värmland county handicraft association). In the park there is a play forest, a barbecue spot and hiking trails through Bäverdalen and Alsterdalen.

Highlights

• The Fröding Apartment with the guided tour “The Story of Fröding”
• Dramatised tour “In Fröding’s Heart” on Saturdays in summer
• Manor café with lunch and home baking
• Manor park with a play forest, peacock house and barbecue spot
• Alsterdalen and Bäverdalen with Fröding memories

Permanent exhibition

• Frödingvåningen – A drawing-room setting on the upper floor of the main building, with selected parts and stories about Gustaf Fröding, visited on a guided tour.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Karlstads kommun

Admission & discounts

The manor park and surroundings are free and open all year round. Payment and registration before a tour take place in the East Wing (Östra flygeln); drop-in when space allows, advance booking recommended.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 main building and the wings have ramps, levelled thresholds on both floors of the main building, door openers and a small lift to the exhibition on the second floor (inner dimensions 118 × 109 cm). There is an induction loop in the Stora salongen (great drawing room). Doorways in the Fröding exhibition can be as narrow as 80 cm, and some toilets have narrow doorways. The upper floor of the West Wing is reached by a ramp at the back and has high thresholds. Two adapted parking spaces are inside the gates. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed in the buildings; other dogs only in the park and on the outdoor terrace. Bäverdalen is not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

A play forest with balance beams, swings and play houses (free, always open), a peacock house with a play café for the youngest in summer, a letter hunt for children from age 7 from mid-June to late August, croquet, boules and kubb to borrow, and the theatre walk “Alsters hemlighet 2026” (Alster’s secret).

Getting there & parking

The manor is 8 km east of Karlstad and 200 metres south of the E18; follow the brown-and-white signs “Alsters herrgård”. The Frödingleden (Fröding Trail) and cycle paths lead here from Karlstad.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Manor café and restaurant with traditional Swedish home cooking (lunch 11:00–16:30), pastries from its own confectioner and Italian ice cream; no alcohol licence. Manor shop and a craft and design shop in the wings, and a gallery in the East Wing. The toilet building is open daily 07:00–22:00.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Conferences and meetings can be booked all year round; the café has room for 60 guests.

Plan your visit