Vallby friluftsmuseum

About the museum

Vallby friluftsmuseum began to be laid out in 1921 on the initiative of Västmanlands fornminnesförening and the museum man Sven T. Kjellberg. Skansen in Stockholm was the model, and the idea was to create a Västmanland in miniature, with buildings, cultivated land and animals from the county’s various parts. Since then houses have been moved here from all over the province and re-erected on the museum grounds, which today are run by Västerås city.

Today there are around forty buildings with associated settings from the 17th century to the late 20th century. These include a bergsman’s farm from 1674 with painted walls, a Västmanland farmstead, a village school from 1877, a village general store, a worker’s dwelling, a manor house from 1702 and a town quarter around a square. Folkets Park with its open-air theatre was moved here in the 1970s.

Around the houses are fields, meadows, kitchen gardens and ornamental gardens with older plant varieties, and in the paddocks graze heritage livestock breeds such as gestrikefår (Gestrik sheep), jämtget (Jämtland goat) and fjällko (fell cattle). On the site there is also a silversmithy, a printing works, an inn and COW’s word museum (ordmuseum). During the summer several settings are staffed and show living history.

Highlights

• Around forty relocated houses from all over Västmanland
• The bergsman’s farm from 1674 with painted walls
• Manor house from 1702 and village school from 1877
• Heritage livestock and gardens with older plant varieties
• Folkets Park with open-air theatre
• Town quarter with silversmithy, printing works and inn

Permanent exhibitions

• Museimiljöerna – Around forty relocated buildings with furnished settings from the 17th century to the late 20th century, including a bergsman’s farm, a farmstead, a village school, a village shop and a manor house.
• Utställningen Jorden – An exhibition in the museum grounds, open daily April to November.

Founded

1921

Operated by

Västerås stad

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the museum grounds. Guided group tours cost SEK 1,200 per tour during the day and SEK 1,600 on evenings and at weekends.

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 main entrance is on a slope and is not wheelchair accessible; the entrance by the cycle path has the gentlest gradient. The paths are of compacted gravel. Several buildings have ramps and handrails. The public toilets are accessible for people with disabilities, and parking for cars with a disabled parking permit is available outside the museum. Guide dogs and assistance dogs may accompany visitors into the houses.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Barnens Vallby (Children’s Vallby) brings together activities for families with children: Flinkstugan’s play and learning environment (May to September), a hobby-horse track, the children’s kitchen garden, a pacifier tree (nappträd) and activities during school holidays. Changing tables are near the square and by the folk park theatre. Pushchairs may not be taken into the museum settings.

Getting there & parking

The museum is by the E18, about 2 km north of Västerås city centre (exit 131, Vallby roundabout). From the central station it is about a 30-minute walk along the Svartån.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Värdshuset Systrarna at Gaggeska gården serves lunch, sandwiches and fika. Vallby Silversmide is also on the site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit