Rydboholm Castle in Roslagen is a private castle from the 16th century, and next to the castle is the beautiful English Park, where visitors are welcome. But to be able to find the English park, you have to know that it exists!
Table of contents
Rydboholm Castle in Österåker
Rydboholm Castle dates back to the Middle Ages and has been home to members of the older Stureätten, Vasaätten and Braheätten. The castle is still privately owned and no one is allowed to visit the castle or the castle garden. However, the large and beautiful English park is open to the public.
The castle is located at Kyrkfjärden in Österåker municipality, just north of Stockholm. The easiest way to get there may be to aim for Östra Ryd's church, which is on the same slip road.
A hidden gem at Östra Ryd's church
We probably wouldn't have found our way to Rydboholm Castle and the English Park, if it hadn't been for that lady we met at the... Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm. She said that she in turn received the tip from an acquaintance. And that's probably how it has to happen.
Information about the English Park is poor, and even when approaching the main road, there are no signs. You simply have to know that you have to turn off at the Östra Ryd churchand then follow the signs for "Rydboholms gård".
As you approach the castle, there is a car park where you can leave your car. You then walk past some nice old houses before reaching large heavy Securitas gates, which prevent you from entering the castle park. Instead, you can turn right, past some horse farms. And now there are actually (finally!) signs pointing to the "English Park".
Rydboholm Castle through history
The name "Ryd" is prehistoric and is mentioned on a rune stone in the area. There are also several burial sites from the Iron Age, which indicate Viking villages from the time before the castle.
Stureätten and Vasaätten
In the early 15th century, "Gammelgården i Rydboholm" was built, which at that time was a wooden building. The first known owner was the Gustav Anundsen Stureand the estate later passed on to the Stureätten, and then to the Vasaätten through marriage. It is possible that Gustav Vasa was born at Rydboholm Castle, but this is not certain. It is known, however, that he spent much of his youth here.
brewing facilities
The castle was passed on to the Braheätten and in 1548, the Per Brahe the elder (1520-1590) construct a main stone building, which now forms the core of the present-day castle. The distinctive 'Vasatornet', a stand-alone structure, also dates from this period.
Per Brahe's son, Abraham Brahe, construction continued, including a tower that no longer exists. At the time, the castle was powerful and protected by moats. Outside were ships and sailing vessels, as the sea route was the natural access point at that time.
At the beginning of the 18th century, the castle was destroyed by fire, with the exception of the Vasa Tower. The eastern wing was added and the castle took on its current appearance with three U-shaped wings around an open courtyard.
There are several memorials from the time when the castle belonged to ... Magnus Fredrik Brahe (1756-1826). He was in opposition to the king and was arrested by Gustav III, but he and the king were reconciled on Gustav III's deathbed.
The Brahe family then kept the castle in their possession (with a few exceptions) until 1930, when the family was extinguished with the death of Count Brahe. Magnus Per Brahe (1849-1930). According to his will, Rydboholm was then taken over by the court stable master and freeholder William of Essen, Count Brahe's nephew.
Rydboholm Castle today
Rydboholm Castle is currently owned and occupied by the Countess of Stockholm. Elisabeth Douglas (née von Essen) and Count and financier Gustaf Douglas. Gustaf Douglas is one of Sweden's wealthiest people and had a personal fortune of USD 4.4 billion in May 2015, according to Wikipedia and the newspaper. The Richest. He is a major shareholder in many large companies, such as Securitas, Assa Abloy and Sweco.
The castle will have several beautiful and special rooms, such as "The Vasa Room" with decorated wall panels from the time of Per Brahe the Elder. There are also "The Birgitta Chamber" with decorated arches from the 17th century. However, the castle is completely private and none of this is on display to the public. You should also not expect to get close to the castle.
English Park
Although the public cannot visit the castle, they are welcome to stroll around the large English park. The park is located just west of the castle and extends all the way down to Hällsundet.
The park was created at the end of the 18th century by the then owner Magnus Fredrik Brahe. According to the fashion of the time, the park was given a lush and natural design, and was decorated with various memorial stones and gazebos.
You can stroll around the park for quite some time, and during your walk you may encounter, among other things:
- Memorial stones on Magnus Fredrik Brahe and Catharina Koskull
- Sacrificial bowl at Hällsundet
- "Diogenes barrel" - a green gazebo in the shape of a barrel, with a bench and a view of Hällsundet. The barrel refers to the story of the Greek philosopher Diogenes, who was thought to live simply in a barrel.
- Temple - a red temple at Hällsundet (top image)
- Forest shelter - small wooden house with slanted chimney
- Warehouse building - a red wooden building
We were here in April 2020, but looking at the ground, in some places it almost looked like autumn. Does anyone know why this is the case?
All in all, we can recommend a visit to the beautiful English park at Rydboholm Castle in Roslagen. Don't forget to say hello to the dragon!
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
Looking for more things to see and do in the neighbourhood? If so, we have two tips:
- Bogesund Castle is a beautiful 17th-century castle, and there are great hiking trails in the surrounding area. Distance from Rydboholm Castle: 16 min by car.
- City of Vaxholm is a very charming little town with cosy restaurants and great views of the water. Distance from Rydboholm Castle: 17 min by car.
30 attractions in Old Town - tourist in Stockholm
Sights in the Old Town! The old parts of Stockholm are not only charming and beautiful,...
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...
Things to do in Norrtälje - 11 tips for the capital of Roslagen.
What can tourists do in Norrtälje? Norrtälje is an idyllic archipelago town with beautiful old...
Riddarhuset in Stockholm - interesting to visit
The Riddarhuset in Stockholm is open to visitors for an hour every weekday, and making a...
Väddö sea baths and camping in Roslagen
Väddö havsbad och camping på Väddö is a campsite with a sandy beach, surrounded by beautiful nature....
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...
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....
Öregrund in Roslagen - tips for things to see and do
Öregrund is a real gem in Roslagen with charming alleys, beautiful old wooden houses and a...
Ängskärs sea campsite in Uppland - and three caravan sites
Ängskärs havscamping is beautifully situated on the Hållnäs peninsula in north-eastern Uppland. We camped here for one day and...
Vikingabyn Storholmen - open-air museum in Roslagen.
Vikingabyn Storholmen is an open-air museum beautifully situated by Lake Erken in Roslagen. For a few...
Görväln Castle and Görväln Nature Reserve
Görväln Castle and Görväln Nature Reserve are located in Järfälla municipality, north-west of Stockholm. We made a...
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...
Cultural trail in Värmdö - Pilhamn on Ingarö.
Yesterday a new cultural trail opened in Värmdö municipality, on the island of Ingarö, called Kulturstig Pilhamn....
Gräsö in Roslagen - a scenic gem
Gräsö is a scenic island, located just outside Öregrund in Roslagen. The island is surrounded by...
Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm - and the Great Castle Tour.
Bogesund Castle in Vaxholm is a beautiful 17th-century castle located in the Bogesund countryside in Stockholm...
Österbybruk - mansion and mill environment in Roslagen
Österbybruk is beautifully located in Roslagen and offers a beautiful manor house, historic mill environment and...
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...
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...
Hagaparken in Solna - castles, gazebos and pavilions
Hagaparken in Solna is a beautiful park where you can stroll among castles, gazebos and...
Berth in Sikhjälma harbour - scenic area at Hållnäs
This motorhome weekend started with us going to a parking space in Sikhjälma harbour,...
Solna church - and the beautiful Norra begravningsplatsen cemetery
Solna Church is a nice little round church from the 12th century. Adjacent to the church is Norra begravningsplatsen, which...
Sigtuna - Visiting the oldest town in Sweden
Join us in Sigtuna, Sweden's oldest town! Yesterday we woke up to blue skies and decided to...
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...
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...
Siggesta Gård in Värmdö - now with parking spaces
Siggesta Farm in Värmdö, outside Stockholm, is a rural hotel with conference facilities, outdoor activities, animals,...
Törnskogen nature reserve - lost twice in one day
Törnskogen Nature Reserve consists of Södra Törnskogen in Sollentuna and Norra Törnskogen in Upplands Väsby. Here...
Grisslehamn in Roslagen - 7 tips on things to do
Located on Väddö in Roslagen, Grisslehamn is a charming little town that is bustling with...
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...
Huvudsta farm in Solna - murder story and beautiful surroundings
Huvudsta farm in Solna is located a short walk from the marina where we live. We are...
Filmstaden Råsunda in Solna - 100 years of film history
Filmstaden Råsunda is currently operating as a cinema, although it is currently closed due to...
Museums in Stockholm - guide to the city's best museums
Why not visit some museums in Stockholm? Sweden's capital city is one of the world's most museum-rich...
Paul Taylor Lanthandel - celebrity restaurant in Sundbyberg, Sweden
Paul Taylor Lanthandel in Sundbyberg is a climate-smart, modern and, above all, sustainable restaurant....
Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm - guide for your visit
Last weekend we visited Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm. It was a fantastic autumn weekend, and...
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...
The Swedish Upplands Road - FREEDOMtravel Themed Roads
Svenska Upplandsvägen is a themed road that takes you from Stockholm through beautiful Roslagen, and...
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....
Facts about Rydboholm Castle
- Municipality: Municipality of Österåker
- Location: At Kyrkfjärden in Östra Ryds parish
- Developer: Per Brahe the elder
- Previous owners: The older Stureätten and the Vasaätten and Braheätten.
- Current owner: Elisabeth Douglas née von Essen and Gustaf Douglas
- For visitors: The castle and castle park are not open to visitors, but the neighbouring English park can be visited.
Facts about the English Park
- Location: At Rydboholm castle, down towards Hällsundet.
- Established: In the 18th century by then owner Magnus Fredrik Brahe.
- Buildings in the park: Temple, forest hut, Diogenes' barrel gazebo, sacrificial bowl at Hällsundet and several obelisks and memorial stones.
Finding Rydboholm Castle and the English Park
- Car: Drive the E18 from Stockholm towards Åkersberga. At Arninge motorway junction turn off onto road 274 towards Vaxholm. Then turn off towards Östra Ryds kyrka. The castle is located just after the church, on the right.
Solan says:
We have our mushroom fields at Bogesund, so we found the English park by accident! ?
You are really phenomenal at finding natural areas!
Strange autumn colours....a mystery in a castle setting....
29 April 2020 - 8:27
Helena says:
But what fun that you found there by accident! 🙂 We thought the autumn colours were strange, but now we have received answers from others that beech forest apparently looks like that 😉.
29 April 2020 - 16:57
Anonymous says:
Hi Helena!
I think it is a beech forest, where it looks like autumn. The leaves remain over the winter.
Mum
29 April 2020 - 8:38
Helena says:
Well, ok, that could certainly be the explanation. Thank you very much!
29 April 2020 - 16:58
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
Fun and interesting to follow you on the nature walk in Stockholm.
29 April 2020 - 9:27
Helena says:
I'm glad it's appreciated 🙂
29 April 2020 - 16:58
A little more pink - Cornelia Tonéri says:
Oh, how cool. I love castles!
And when I read the last part and see that Gustaf Douglas is the owner of the castle. The same person who owns Stjärnorps castle ruin that we visited recently. 🙂
https://litemerarosa.com/2020/03/29/ruinen-och-ravinen-i-stjarnorp/
29 April 2020 - 10:46
Helena says:
Well, it's exciting that it's the same owner! I saw the pictures on your blog. Cool ruin! Peter also loves castle ruins ðŸ™'
29 April 2020 - 17:00
bmlarstravellingblog says:
Once again, what wonderful places you find and the spring weather has been fantastic even if it has changed in the last few days.
"Autumn forest", can it be beech and is there a beech forest so far north? I thought it looked about the same when we walked in Ekedalen's beech forest last week.
29 April 2020 - 12:18
Helena says:
Yes, it is actually a bit fun and exciting to discover the neighbourhood! 🙂 Yes, I think the beech forest is the explanation. My mum answered the same thing a little higher up in this thread.
29 April 2020 - 17:01
Lena in Wales says:
Interesting story, thank you.
I have seen the castle from a distance when I was at the church hoping to get in, but it was closed, unfortunately. Certainly nothing about the park though.
Thanks for the nice report!
29 April 2020 - 12:19
Helena says:
Glad you were in the neighbourhood! No, it's not easy to know about the park. Hardly any signs until you are right next to it.
29 April 2020 - 17:02
BP says:
Beautiful! Have actually been there, but never thought of the English park. Your photos are absolutely stunning.
29 April 2020 - 18:32