Bogesunds slott i Vaxholm - och stora Slottsrundan

Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm is a beautiful 17th century castle located on the Bogesund Island in the Stockholm archipelago. We went here one day last week to walk the "Stora Slottsrundan". It was a fantastic day in beautiful natural surroundings.

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Bogesund Castle

Bogesund Castle was built in the 1640s on the initiative of Per Brahe the Younger and has since been rebuilt several times. Today you can visit the castle to hike in the beautiful surroundings or have a coffee at the café Parkvillan right next door.

In the summer, guided tours and other activities are usually arranged in the castle, although this year many things are likely to be cancelled due to the new coronavirus. You can also rent the castle for weddings or other celebrations.

Bogesunds slott i Vaxholm, Bogesundslandet

Bogesund Castle is located in Bogesundslandet in the municipality of Vaxholm, just north-east of Stockholm. Getting here by car from the centre of Stockholm takes around 35 minutes. It is also possible to get here by bus or by boat - if you have your own boat, you can dock at the castle's pier!

The history of Bogesund Castle

On the site of Bogesund Castle there has been a farm since the 14th century, originally called Bogösund. Per Brahe the Younger inherited the Bogesund land in 1630 and decided to build a castle. In later years, the castle was also owned by the Hamilton, von Rosen and von Lantingshausen von Höpken families.

17th and 18th century

The building at the centre of today's castle was built in the 17th century. At the time, the building was a four-storey 'cube' without a tower. There were two gazebos in the garden. Interior details from the 17th century still exist today. Carpentry, tiled stoves and wallpaper from the late 18th and early 19th centuries can be seen.

19th century

Between 1864 and 1867, the new owner, Nils Albrekt von Lantingshausen von Höpken, had the castle rebuilt to its current appearance, with four towers in the medieval romantic style. Two floors were also added, including a chapel, dining room and winter garden. The castle was surrounded by an English park with winding paths and exotic trees.

20th and 21st century

In 1954 the state redeemed the property due to neglect, using the special law 'Lex Bogesund'. The castle was declared a listed building and renovated. The building was first administered by the National Building Board, and from 1993 by the National Property Board. After further renovations, the castle was reopened on 11 August 2012 by Princess Christina and Consul General Thord Magnusson.

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Café Parkvillan at Bogesund Castle

The park villa was built in the 1890s, in the time of Nils Albrekt Stefan von Lantingshausen von Höpken. On the outside, the house is built in Swiss style with an irregular plan. Today there is a café in the house and we saw many people having coffee at the tables outside.

Café vid Bogesunds slott, Bogesundslandet

Bogesundslandet nature reserve

Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm is surrounded by the Bogesundslandet nature reserve. The reserve was established in 2015 to preserve and develop the natural area. The nature is varied with forests, cultural landscapes and beaches towards Stora Värtan, Askrikefjärden, Tallaröfjärden and southern Vaxholmsfjärden. There are also ancient remains from the Bronze Age and Iron Age, as well as a golf course (Waxholms golf course) and a campsite (Askrike camping).

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Hiking trails at Bogesund Castle

There are several hiking trails starting from Bogesund Castle. We walked the Stora Slottsrundan, which is 8.5 kilometres long and marked with orange markings. You can also choose the Lilla Slottsrundan, which is 3.3 kilometres long (red markings) or walk the Blue Trail towards Vaxholm. There are even more trails in the Bogesundslandet nature reserve, but not all of them start from the castle.

Stora Slottsrundan, Lilla Slottsrundan och Blå leden mot Vaxholm, Bogesundslandet

The Grand Tour of the Castle

You can easily find signs for Stora Slottsrundan outside the castle, and you can walk the tour in any direction. We started by walking south towards Bogesundslandet beach, and soon came down so we could walk along the water. This first part of the walk was really nice, with the archipelago environment and lots of swans.

When the trail turns up from the water, you can make a small extra detour of about 300 metres to get to the Knäviken rest area. Here is a nice barbecue area where we ate our packed lunch in the sun.

Peter vid Stora slottsrundan, Bogesunds slott, Bogesundslandet

In general, the trail was very well marked with clear and frequent markings. We were a little unsure in two places, and in one place we went wrong:

At Waxholm golf course we did not see at first how the trail continued. If you cross the road at an angle and look closely, you will find the trail again.
At Ellboda friluftsgård we went completely wrong. We found no markings and followed the cycle path into the forest. Instead, we should have walked a bit on the gravel road to find the orange markings again. After a small detour, we found our way back ...

Golfbana vid Bogesunds slott, Bogesundslandets naturreservat

The hiking trail back to Bogesund Castle, along the Ekefjärd river, was fantastic fine. Here the forest is truly magical, with large wild roots and dense green moss.

We can highly recommend Stora Slottsrundan! This is perhaps the finest hiking tour we have done in the Stockholm area so far.

Helena vid Stora Slottsrundan, Bogesundslandet

Facts about Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm

Address: Bogesunds Slott, Per Brahes väg, Vaxholm, Sweden
Municipality: Vaxholm (Bogesundslandet)
Developer: Per Brahe the younger
Completion: 1640s
Remodelling: 1864-1867, by Nils Albrekt Stefan von Lantingshausen von Höpkens, with architect Thor Medelplan.
Read more: You can find more information at the castle's website.

Opening hours and prices

For current opening hours and prices see the castle's website. Please note that activities may be cancelled in spring 2020 due to the coronavirus.

General screenings: Public tours cost £60/adult and £30 for children up to 16 years old (2020).
Guiding groups: Cost of public viewing per person plus entry fee of SEK 800 (2020).

Services and practical information

Accessibility: The castle is not accessible.
Accommodation: Bogesund hostel is located right next to the castle. A little further away is Askrike camping.
Café: Café Parkvillan serves soup, sandwiches and pastries.
Association of friends: A friends' association was formed in 2007 to bring together everyone with an interest in Bogesund Castle and to support and promote activities that preserve the castle's unique environment.

Tours and activities

Views: Public tours are usually given on weekends in the summer. 60-minute guided tour of the interior and the history of the castle's owners.
Church services and concerts: In summer, church services and concerts are usually held. The chapel, which seats 50 people, can also be hired for baptisms, weddings and funerals.
Photography: The castle can be hired for filming and photo shoots.
Weddings and parties: The castle can be hired for weddings and other celebrations. There are cellar vaults, a winter garden with room for 65-70 seated guests, a 19th century dining room and a 17th century banqueting hall.
Member activities: Various activities are organised for members of the Friends, such as walks, tours and lectures.

Bogesundslandet nature reserve

Address: Entrance via Pålsundsvägen, Bogesundslandet, Vaxholm.
Formation: 2015
Trustee: The Bogesundslandet nature reserve is managed by the National Property Board (SFV).
Nature: Old growth forest with oak, lime and pine trees as well as fields and pastures. Dammstakärret is a Natura 2000 site and home to many animal and plant species.
Hiking trails: Dammkärrsrundan (11 km), Stortallsrundan (10 km), Stora Slottsrundan (8,5 km), Frösviksrundan (7 km), Askrikerundan (6 km), Nässeldalsrundan (5 km), Lilla Laduviksrundan (4 km), Lilla Slottsrundan (3 km), Råholmastigen (2 km)
Service: Several rest areas with fireplaces, firewood and shelters.
Activities: Hiking, cycling, horse riding, cross-country skiing, long-distance skating, berry and mushroom picking, golf, fishing and swimming.

Finding Bogesund Castle

Car: From Stockholm take the E18 towards Norrtälje. Turn right at Arninge towards Vaxholm (road 247). After about 7 kilometres, turn right at Ladvik and follow signs for Bogesund. Travelling time: about 35 minutes.
Bus: Take bus 670 from Tekniska högskolan (subway). Get off at Vaxholm or Kulla junction and change to bus 681 to Bogesunds gård. Journey time: about 45 minutes + 10 minutes.
Boat: Travel by Waxholmsbåt (Waxholmsbolaget) from Grand Hotel or Nybroviken to Vaxholm. You can also take your own boat and dock at the castle's own jetty. The jetty is located on southern Bogesundslandet, at the eastern Askrikefjärden north of Granholmen's lighthouse.

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12 Comments

Add yours →

Razzy says:

I have the honour of living near Bogesund and we often go out there and walk around and take photos. Beautiful nature and proximity to the sea is wonderful. Hugs Eva

25 April 2020 - 10:12

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Nice to have this in the neighbourhood! And in general it is nice around here! 🙂
  
  25 April 2020 - 19:55
  
Lena in Wales says:

Another castle I didn't know about. Thanks for the tip.
Interesting history and unusual architecture.
Perhaps we will have a castle tour with you later in the year when everything is hopefully open? Would be interesting.
Have a nice weekend!

25 April 2020 - 13:28

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, different architecture, like this castle! And yes, it would be interesting to have a look inside on occasion! 🙂
  
  25 April 2020 - 19:55
  
Ditte says:

Fun with a trip here. We have been here in the area a lot over the years. (Have friends who live nearby in Karlsudd.) Have also been on various tours of the castle and the surroundings and it has been very rewarding.
Thank you for the trip here with you and with nice pictures with you back home.

25 April 2020 - 14:33

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Nice that you have been here and that you also went on viewings! We would also have liked to do that, but it will have to be some other time simply.
  
  25 April 2020 - 19:56
  
Biggeros says:

Unfortunately, I have not been to this castle. What nice surroundings if you want to hike. I had probably chosen both to stroll inside the castle and hike thereafter. Imagine how many castles there are in Sweden that no one knows about.
Happy Saturday <3

25 April 2020 - 15:30

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, there's a lot you don't know, isn't there? Same for us! We would also like to see the inside of the castle, but right now it is not open.
  
  25 April 2020 - 19:57
  
Maria's Memoirs says:

Lovely place - and great combo of architecture, nature and waterfront 🙂 .

25 April 2020 - 20:16

BP says:

Well, Bogesund Castle is almost on our home turf, so of course we have been there and walked around a number of times. Nice to get some info about the castle, we are terrible at finding out about it ourselves.

25 April 2020 - 20:46

Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:

There are many interesting places around Stockholm. Fun for those of us who don't live there to learn about all the places.

26 April 2020 - 9:34

Jörn Dahlkild says:

We will definitely walk this round. Two weeks ago we walked Stortallsrundan in beautiful weather. Started from the car park at the grave field. Very nice trip with me Coetzee varied nature.

26 April 2020 - 16:18

Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm - and the Great Castle Tour.

Bogesund Castle

The history of Bogesund Castle

17th and 18th century

19th century

20th and 21st century

Café Parkvillan at Bogesund Castle

Bogesundslandet nature reserve

Hiking trails at Bogesund Castle

The Grand Tour of the Castle

Facts about Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm

Opening hours and prices

Services and practical information

Tours and activities

Bogesundslandet nature reserve

Finding Bogesund Castle

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12 Comments

Razzy says:

Helena says:

Lena in Wales says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Biggeros says:

Helena says:

Maria's Memoirs says:

BP says:

Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:

Jörn Dahlkild says:

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