Huvudsta gård in Solna is a short walk from the marina where we live. We are travel bloggers and often go far away to find exciting sights, but sometimes you just need to look around the corner.
Table of contents
Huvudsta farm in Solna
Huvudsta gård (or Hufvudsta gård) is a manor house in the municipality of Solna in Stockholm County. The mansion is located in the neighbourhood of Huvudsta, on the northern side of Lake Ulvsunda.
The farm has belonged to several famous families and has also been the scene of a murder plot. The farm is now owned by the Wibom family and today it is run conference activities.
Huvudsta farm - with an exciting history
In the 17th century (1651) the Imperial Admiral Count Gustaf Otto Stenbock built a main building. At this time, the building was a magnificent yellow-painted wooden castle.
In the 18th century (1750) the estate belonged to Mr Anders Plomgren, director of the East India Company. He had the old house demolished and built a new building in rococo style (now Huvudsta Old Castle). Through marriage, the estate became the property of the Horn family. In fact, it was here, at Count Claes Fredrik Horn's house, that Count Adolph Ludvig Ribbing and Captain Johan Jacob Ankarström planned the assassination of King Gustav III.
In the 19th century (1817) Huvudsta farm was bought by Johan Wibom, who worked as a gelbuter, a craftsman who casts brass objects. He settled in one of the wings and moved the old main building (now called 'Huvudsta Old Castle') north-west of the farm. Instead, he built a new main building in the Russian-Swedish Empire style. The idea was for the Russian ambassador to live here, but he died before he could move in.
Huvudsta farm is still today in the ownership of the Wibom family, and is inhabited by the 6th, 7th and 8th generations.
In addition to the main building and wings, there are many other buildings belonging to Huvudsta farm. Between 1818 and 1825, the state building, stables, barn wings, carriage and outbuilding wings, ice cellar and distillery were built. Very charming and beautiful buildings!
Huvudsta old castle - the "killer castle"
Huvudsta Old Castle is a wooden building from the 18th century, which today is located about 300 metres northeast of Huvudsta Farm. The house was built in 1750 by Anders Plomgren as Huvudsta Farm's main building, but was moved to its current location in 1834. The building is sometimes called the "Murderer's Castle" because it was in this house that the assassination of Gustav III was planned.
After the house was moved, the farm's servants lived here. In 1958, the City of Solna took over the house, which had fallen into disrepair, and planned to demolish it. After a debate about its preservation, the Solna-Råsunda church community took over. The building was restored and until the summer of 2018 the Slottet preschool was run here.
Hufvudsta riding school at Huvudsta farm
Right next to Huvudsta farm is Hufvudsta riding school. Here you always see horses, as well as children, young people and adults riding.
Pep Park
Not far from Huvudsta Gård you will also find a "Pep Park". We'd never heard of the term before we saw it, but that's not surprising given that it's apparently Sweden's first. A Pep Park is designed to inspire children, young people and adults to play, move and exercise every day.
Were we inspired? Yep, you can see evidence of that here! There was both balancing and jumping.
However, we were not inspired enough to get involved in the 'Running Game'. Not this time anyway. You can compete against each other... or see if you can run faster or slower than various animal species.
Augustendal 4H farm
Right next to Pep Parken is the Augustendal 4H farm. There are various domesticated animals and activities where children can learn how to take care of the animals.
Café båthuset and Huvudstabadet
There is also a café and a swimming pool in the area. The café is right by the water and the swimming pool, which has a large outdoor pool, is just above it. "When Peter's youngest son Billie was younger, we used to go swimming there in the summer. Now we saw that they were rebuilding and modernising the pool.
Walk along the waterfront from Huvudsta farm
You can also walk along Lake Ulvsunda, which is really nice. If you go north, you can walk all the way to Sundbyberg. If you go south, you will pass two restaurants, one of them Mediterranean Sea and part Restaurant K4 located in the Pampas marina. If you continue on, you will reach Karberg Castle, and then enter Stockholm.
Have you been to the area around Huvudsta Farm? Are there areas where you live that are worth exploring further?
"The whole journey" at Paul Taylor Lanthandel in Sundbyberg, Sweden.
We recently tested the 'Whole Journey' menu at the celebrity restaurant Paul Taylor Lanthandel in Sundbyberg. This is...
Gräsö in Roslagen - a scenic gem
Gräsö is a scenic island, located just outside Öregrund in Roslagen. The island is surrounded by...
Marabouparken in Sundbyberg - art gallery and park hangout
Marabouparken in Sundbyberg is a park with an art centre and a large collection of sculptures. Despite...
Linnaeus' Hammarby in Uppsala - Aunt Anna botanises
Guest writer: Anna Nilsson Spets A stone's throw from Uppsala's bustling city centre is the rural Linnaeus Hammarby....
Rullsands camping and sea baths
Rullsands camping is a nice campsite outside Gävle. The location of the campsite is very nice and...
Forsmark's mill in Roslagen - a poppy mill with a long history
Forsmark's mill in Roslagen is one of the many beautiful poppy mills in the area. Once...
Excursions in Stockholm in times of coronavirus - 15 tips
Tips on 15 excursions in Stockholm in times of corona! Because yes, what do you do when you...
Steninge castle in Uppland - Aunt Anna and the sugar bushes
Guest writer: Anna Nilsson Spets A visit to Sweden for me is full of activities, we headed for...
Noor's castle - a Carolingian wooden castle in Uppland
Noor's Castle is a wooden Carolingian castle in Knivsta, Uppland. It may be a very...
Lingnåre cultural reserve - historical trails in Uppland
Lingnåre Cultural Reserve is located on the Hållnäs peninsula in the municipality of Tierp. There are currently a total of 43 cultural reserves...
Görväln Castle and Görväln Nature Reserve
Görväln Castle and Görväln Nature Reserve are located in Järfälla municipality, north-west of Stockholm. We made a...
Gustavsberg in Värmdö - in the footsteps of the porcelain factory
Gustavsberg is a nice little town in the municipality of Värmdö in Stockholm, which is mainly...
Väddö sea baths and camping in Roslagen
Väddö havsbad och camping på Väddö is a campsite with a sandy beach, surrounded by beautiful nature....
Visiting the Royal Palace of Stockholm - photos and tips
What is it like to visit the Royal Palace in Stockholm? If there is any attraction in the...
Pythagoras Industrial Museum in Norrtälje - step into history
The Pythagoras Industrial Museum in Norrtälje tells, in a very vivid way, about a piece of Swedish industrial history....
Österbybruk - mansion and mill environment in Roslagen
Österbybruk is beautifully located in Roslagen and offers a beautiful manor house, historic mill environment and...
Rosersberg Castle - a royal castle in Sigtuna, Sweden
Rosersberg Palace is a royal palace in Sigtuna, north of Stockholm. This castle is a...
Ulriksdal Palace and Park - Royal Palace in Solna, Sweden
Ulriksdal Palace is one of the eleven royal palaces in Sweden, and offers a...
Grisslehamn in Roslagen - 7 tips on things to do
Located on Väddö in Roslagen, Grisslehamn is a charming little town that is bustling with...
Free camping at Lake Erken and Norr Malma nature reserve
During the last night of the midsummer weekend, there was free camping at Lake Erken in Roslagen, at Svanberga bathing area....
What to do in Stockholm - 30 sights and experiences
What to see and do in Stockholm? Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and has lots of...
Cultural trail in Värmdö - Pilhamn on Ingarö.
Yesterday a new cultural trail opened in Värmdö municipality, on the island of Ingarö, called Kulturstig Pilhamn....
Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm - guide for your visit
Last weekend we visited Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm. It was a fantastic autumn weekend, and...
Kungsträdgården in Stockholm - and the Makalös Palace
Kungsträdgården in Stockholm is a beautiful park where people stroll, have coffee, listen to concerts and...
Skokloster camping - great waterfront on the Skohalvön peninsula
Skokloster camping (or Sånka camping as it seems to be called on the signs here) is located on Skohalvön...
Filmstaden Råsunda in Solna - 100 years of film history
Filmstaden Råsunda is currently operating as a cinema, although it is currently closed due to...
The Swedish Upplands Road - FREEDOMtravel Themed Roads
Svenska Upplandsvägen is a themed road that takes you from Stockholm through beautiful Roslagen, and...
Salsta Castle in Uppland - castle café, guided tours and ghosts
Salsta Castle is a beautiful baroque castle from the 17th century. We were fascinated by the beautiful building when...
Albert Engström's museum in Grisslehamn, Roslagen.
The Albert Engström Museum is located in Grisslehamn in Roslagen and tells the story of the artist Albert Engström. Here...
Pampas marina in Solna - all you need to know
Pampas marina in Solna is a marina, where you will also find houseboats and a restaurant....
Wenngarn Castle in Sigtuna - castle park, café and history
Wenngarn Castle in Sigtuna is a beautiful castle, which was once built by Magnus the...
30 different things to do in Stockholm
Looking for different things to do in Stockholm? Then you've come to the right place! Here...
Best restaurant at Arlanda? - we have tested La Girafe
Which is the best restaurant at Arlanda? There are of course several answers to this question...
Riddarhuset in Stockholm - interesting to visit
The Riddarhuset in Stockholm is open to visitors for an hour every weekday, and making a...
Grönsöö castle in Uppland - and a cosy free camping site
Grönsöö Castle is a fine 17th century castle on the island of Grönsö in Lake Mälaren, Uppland. In the summers, the...
Bredsands camping in Enköping
Finally, we have a completely free weekend and the opportunity to go out with the motorhome ....
Mum C says:
We often forget what is close and almost on our own doorstep.
Carin
25 March 2020 - 9:16
Helena says:
Of course it is! Feel like we need to get better at this! 🙂
25 March 2020 - 19:30
Ditte says:
How nice to come back here. Have been very much here in the area over the years and rode here for many years. Lived near Huvudsta farm between 1959 and 1970. Later my parents lived at Jungfrudansen, almost next door to Huvudsta farm.
Near us is the entire Nackareservatet, Årstaviken with the old colony areas, Sicklaön in Nacka with great walking areas along the water past the old Finnboda shipyard, Kvarnholmen, Svindersviken, Ryssberget and the baroque mansion Svindersvik. And much more.Have now carefully explored the area. Also easy to take the ferry to Djurgården and on your can you can bring bicycles.
25 March 2020 - 9:31
Helena says:
Yes, I know you've been here a lot! Funny! Very nice you have around you! Nackareservatet we will definitely check out on occasion!
25 March 2020 - 19:32
Lena in Wales says:
These days, you are lucky to be able to move around reasonably freely. Just hope that everyone is wise enough to keep their distance.
I'm in quarantine and that's probably going to be the case for a while.
So interesting when you take us in and around Stockholm. There is so much I had no idea about. Also fun that you write about it in historical perspective and the present.
Keep your distance and take care!
25 March 2020 - 10:36
Helena says:
Yes, we are really happy that we can move around freely! We do our best to keep our distance. I work from home and we don't use public transport, but take the car, bike or walk. There is a big focus on nature. I'm glad you like our reports! Take care of yourself!
25 March 2020 - 19:33
Ruth in Virginia says:
Agree with Lena in Wales. It is fun to read
the history of the old buildings.
And your photos are always SUPER !
26 March 2020 - 5:55
Maria / MagnoliaMagis says:
What fun with some exciting history! I would have to do the Pep Park here on the farm...;) Yes, why not?!!! We had daughter and son-in-law here today. He brought golf clubs and stood and putted in the garden. Really cosy. Then they had to help me with the garden land; D So I already have a pep park; D
25 March 2020 - 19:26
BP says:
It was probably last year that we walked from Sundbyberg all the way past Karlberg Castle to Rörstrandsgaten and the Backpipers Inn pub. So, yes, I have walked past everything you show. Great fun to get some background material too;-)
Your mum, Helena, lives in Täby, so Rönninge village might be something to look at, but wait until the summer. Then there is Såstaholm Castle, which is now also a hotel and conference centre. Näsbypark Castle is also worth a visit.
25 March 2020 - 20:36
Lena - good for the soul says:
Imagine how many fun and interesting things there are in the neighbourhood. Grönsöö Castle, here in Enköping municipality, is nice to visit too. It is owned and guided by the von Ehrenheim family. I studied a little with one of the son's wives (do you say so?!). 🙂 Interesting to hear her talk about how the family was really passionate about cultural history and its preservation. Every autumn they have an apple market which is nice to visit.
I've heard of Huvudsta Farm, but didn't realise it was so big.
Hug Lena
25 March 2020 - 20:52
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:
Interesting reading and what nice old buildings! The first few times I visited Stockholm, I stayed with relatives in Jungfrudansen, which is not far away, but despite that, I don't think I've been here and walked once. Must probably write it down on my "to-do list".
25 March 2020 - 22:27