Taxinge castle - cookie castle in a beautiful location by Lake Mälaren

Taxinge castle, or Taxinge-Näsby castle, is beautifully situated by Lake Mälaren. We came here by motorhome in the afternoon and the weather was fantastic. There was a nice walk in the beautiful castle park, but unfortunately no cakes as the castle café was not open at the moment.

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Taxinge Castle

Taxinge Castle is a beautiful castle on the shores of Lake Mälaren, sometimes known as the "Cake Castle" because it has a café that runs all in for baked goods. There is also a beautiful castle park and the possibility of organising a party or conference.

Sverige, Taxinge slott — A drone image of Taxinge Castle that Peter took a few years ago.

Taxinge Castle is located on Lake Mälaren, in the municipality of Nykvarn about 20 miles west of central Stockholm.

A castle with a long history

Like most castles, Taxinge-Näsby has a long history. Näsby Farm was mentioned as early as the 13th century, although the current castle was not built until the 18th and 19th centuries, and had many different owners over the centuries. One of the owners who may be worth mentioning is Ebba Augusta Hägerflycht, who took over the castle in 1881. During her life she was married to three different men, one of whom was Swedish Prime Minister Arvid Posse.

During Arvid's time, the estate was expanded with many neighbouring farms and an orangery. During Ebba Augusta's third marriage, to the English diplomat Audley Gosling, she herself established housing for employees, a school and an old people's home.

In the 1900s the estate was taken over by a distant relative, Knut Arvid Posse, but he was unable to manage the finances and had to hand over the castle to his lender Svenska Handelsbanken. The castle later became a famous stud farm and has since been owned by first Södertälje municipality and then Nykvarn municipality. Today it is rented out for café and event activities.

Taxinge slott stall — The old stables at Taxinge Castle

Has the post arrived yet? In the 19th century, it was common for larger farms to have white pigeons in pigeon lofts as decoration on the farm. In the past, when the road network was poor or when people lived far from the capital, carrier pigeons were used to get information home quickly.

Today, the castle is known for its wide range of cakes and pastries. Unfortunately, we arrived here when the castle café was closed, but check out their website for opening hours! If you want to see more of the surrounding area, there is also a museum railway and a steamboat pier.

Castle garden with surprises

When we came to Taxinge Castle, everything was closed, which of course is due to the fact that we came on a late weekday in corona times. But even when everything is closed, this is a nice environment to walk around in! There is a walkway along the water that is very nice, and lined with various interesting surprises.

The park, like English gardens, offers many surprises. For example, there is the 'Beaver House', an 18th century gazebo. This house is special because it is clad in spruce bark and decorated with birch twigs. There is also a 'grotto', which is a popular decoration in an English park. In addition, there is a Chinese pagoda from the 1850s, demonstrating the fascination with Asia at that time.

Closer to the castle, there is also a park with a sundial, a small circular plantation of columnar aspen and a neat little Italian park.

Taxinge church

When you are in Taxinge, you can also check out Taxinge Church, which was inaugurated in 1863, after an earlier chapel built here around 1650. Very nice! 30 minutes from the castle is Kalkbro nature reserve with the abandoned limestone quarry. Unusual and exciting excursion destination.

First night of the year in the campervan

After the visit to the castle, we spent the night in the castle car park, where at least there was no sign prohibiting overnight stays. In addition, there was plenty of space. Great to be on the road again! Follow us for more castle experiences in Mälardalen!

More to see in the neighbourhood

In the vicinity of Taxinge Castle you can visit, among other things, the beautiful... Mariefred and exciting Gripsholm Castle. Even more tips for attractions in Södermanland can be found below.

Have you visited Taxinge Castle?

Have you been to Taxinge Castle? Have you had the opportunity to try any of the pastries that we missed?

Facts about Taxinge Castle

Country: Sweden
County: Södermanland County
Municipality: Nykvarn municipality
Creator: Carl Christoffer Gjörwell
Style: empire
Established: 1780s
Owners: Nykvarn municipality
The name: The name Taxinge (in the 13th century "Thaxunge") may come from the early Swedish word "thax" meaning badger. The name Näsby probably originates from the Viking Age.

Services and activities at Taxinge Castle

Café: The Castle Café has a wide range of cakes and pastries, as well as some sandwiches and hot food.
Slot menu: Larger groups of at least 15 people can pre-book dinners and business lunches.
Slottsbod: In one of the wings there is a small stall where you can buy gifts. There is also an ice cream parlour.
Events: The former stables can be used for conferences, parties, Christmas parties and more. You can also organise your wedding at Taxinge Castle.

History at Taxinge Castle

1281: The name Näsby is mentioned in writing for the first time, when Magnus Ladulås brother donated Näsby to the cathedral in Strängnäs.
The Middle Ages: The farm Näsby was leased out. There were many different owners during this period, such as Bo Jonsson Grip, who later built Gripsholm Castle. Other well-known owners were the Queen of the Union, Margareta, and Sten Sture the Elder, the national governor. Later, Gustav Vasa ensured that the estate became part of the Vasa family.
1685: The Dowager Queen Hedvig Eleonora donated the estate to Johan von Westphal. The surrounding farms were acquired in order to start a manor.

18th century

1710: After von Westphal's death, Näsby passed to his widow, Baroness Brita Magdalena Fleetwood.
1755: Näsby was bought by Gustaf Kierman and subsequently held by his son-in-law, General Johan Didrik Duwall.
1795: The businessman Joachim Daniel Wahrendorff, who also owned Åkers styckebruk, took over the castle.

19th century

1803: Joachim Daniel Wahrendorf died and his son Anders took over the castle and other properties. Anders built the main building that stands today.
1848: Anders died and the castle was taken over by his son and court marshal Martin von Wahrendorff.
1861: Martin von Wahrendorff died and the castle passed to his foster son and superintendent Martin Ludvig Berg.
1881: Ebba Augusta Hägerflycht inherited Taxinge Castle. She later remarried Arvid Posse, Prime Minister of Sweden, who helped to expand the estate. At this time there was also an orangery.
1885: Arvid Posse had Taxinge-Näxsby station built.

20th century

1904: Ebba Augusta remarried for the third time, to the English diplomat Audley Gosling. She founded housing for employees, a school and an old people's home. A memorial plaque in Taxinge Church honours her achievements. After Ebba Augusta, her distant relative Knut Arvid Posse took over.
1923: Knut Arvid Posse could not manage the finances and had to hand over the castle to his lender Svenska Handelsbanken. The bank sold the neighbouring land and farms.
1928: Director Ernst Sjögren took over the estate, which was now much smaller. He ran a farm and stud farm and made Näsby well known in horse breeding circles.
1969: Ernst Sjögren died and the castle was taken over by the municipality of Södertälje.
1982: The farm and associated buildings were taken over by Uppsala Akademiförvaltning.
1999: Nykvarn municipality took over the part previously owned by Södertälje municipality (main building, wings, park and some government housing). The main building is leased out for conference and café activities.

All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

READ MORE: Castles in Sweden - 30 very beautiful Swedish castles
READ MORE: Things to do in Södermanland - sights and experiences

Helena

01 April 2021 6:11 am

Sweden

history, attraction, castle-ruin-europe, castle-ruin-sweden, Södermanland

Helena

Administrator

24 Comments

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Ann says:

I've only been there once, when my son was really really small and he's almost 18 today, so it's time for a new visit 🙂.

01 April 2021 - 6:39

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Time flies! Time for another visit then perhaps 😜.
  
  01 April 2021 - 12:53
  
  Reply
Kenneth+Risberg says:

Thanks for that tip, could be a nice destination this summer.
Thank you also for this month's Newsletter. I will now take a look in your Web shop if there is something suitable for my summer project.

Wishing you a Happy Easter!!!

01 April 2021 - 7:28

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Summer project? How exciting! What will it be? (The range for this may not be very large in the web shop, but we are constantly trying to expand).
  
  01 April 2021 - 16:55
  
  Reply
bmlarstravellingblog says:

What a wonderful idea to go on a castle tour! Lars has been to Taxinge for a cake buffet many years ago, while during my years in Västerås I mostly visited the castles on the north side of Lake Mälaren, Tidö, Engsö, Strömsholm and others.

01 April 2021 - 7:43

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We have now heard several people who have eaten that cake buffet, and you get a little jealous, maybe try it on occasion 😉 The castles on the north side we also get to look at on occasion, although we may not have time during this trip.
  
  01 April 2021 - 16:57
  
  Reply
- Monet says:
  
  We have been there for a fantastic castle wedding in the 1990s. Thought the church was less beautiful but the castle environment inside and in the garden incredibly nice. The entire facility was subscribed - it certainly contributed to the experience. And the bride and groom are still married!
  
  01 April 2021 - 18:35
  
  Reply
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

We were at Taxinge castle and ate cakes last summer and thought it was so nice there! And the cake buffet was absolutely fantastic. It will be exciting to see which castle you visit next. 🙂

01 April 2021 - 10:32

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Great that you tried the cake buffet, it sounds tempting!!! And fun that you want to follow our little castle adventure! 🙂
  
  01 April 2021 - 16:58
  
  Reply
Nils-Åke+Hansson says:

Nykvarn has been our oldest daughter competed in Gång and was a lot of competitions in that club. Then we visited her cousin there too.

01 April 2021 - 11:06

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  There you go! We haven't been to Nykvarn much ourselves, but this was a nice visit!
  
  01 April 2021 - 16:59
  
  Reply
  - Monics says:
    
    Yes, we have been there many times and travelled around also by steam locomotive and steamboat that has round trip Taxinge Mariefred. Made a lot of excursions in the past and with dear daughter. A little fun when we then had a couple of girls on weekends for a few years and everywhere the parents said when they passed something nice that the children said: "There we have been with Monica", They hardly believed them sometimes but we were happy that they understood so well and remembered. And the first time we invited my mum here, she thought that my cake tables are more delicious and then we all felt and actually thought so. Could be cakes that are supposed to be crispy and tender but have softened, it was a bit like that, not everything is tiptop. But it is beautiful... However, you look a little lonely there:-) but you had nice weather. It will be fun to see more and if we have been to all the castles you visit, I think so, haha. One we never eat at again was ridiculously expensive with lousy food, a bit so that we were stunned, but the same for everyone, do not say which one:-). Keep it nice and good, fun to see all your beautiful photos.
    
    01 April 2021 - 22:29
    
    Reply
4000mil says:

We used to go here from time to time when I lived in Stockholm. Good excursion destination. I think the thing about the café is that they have an "eat as much as you want and can handle" buffet?

01 April 2021 - 12:47

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Agree that it is a nice destination! And yes, several have told about that buffet now, sounds awesome! 🙂
  
  01 April 2021 - 17:00
  
  Reply
Elisabeth says:

I've been a few times and eaten good pastries, but also been around the park. I'm sure there will be many more times

01 April 2021 - 13:26

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you were here! We can also think of returning, perhaps not least to try the pastries 😉.
  
  01 April 2021 - 17:00
  
  Reply
Elisabeth says:

The finger was faster than the mind, so a new post and we wish you a very HAPPY EASTER!

01 April 2021 - 13:26

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you very much, wishing you a great Easter!!!
  
  01 April 2021 - 17:01
  
  Reply
- Monica says:
  
  Monica it should be, is a little tight keyboard on the mobile phone, I understand that now affects more and will never again think that they write strangely:-)
  
  01 April 2021 - 22:36
  
  Reply
JoY says:

It's nice that you are out and about. I have been to the cookie castle a couple of times. The first time many, many years ago. Then I remember that you paid a sum and could eat as much as you wanted. It's not like that anymore, you pay for what you want, from gigantic cake counters... Since it was closed, you can look at the cakes from my blog. https://joytillsammans.blogspot.com/search?q=taxinge+slott
Happy Easter to you from us

01 April 2021 - 18:54

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Ditte says:

It's very nice all year round. I haven't been here during the pandemic, but when I work with travel, I make a few visits every year. It remains to be seen how it will be in the summer and autumn.
I'm also happy to spend some time here during the summer. And there is an exciting history around the whole area.
The cake buffet and sitting in the garden on a nice summer day are recommended.

01 April 2021 - 19:06

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BP says:

What a great "refresher course" on Taxinge Castle. It must be several decades since we were there, and I don't remember if there was a cake buffet there. Also, the castle was not in half as good a condition as you show. Guess the owners invested a good amount in renovation and they have succeeded.

01 April 2021 - 20:35

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Liniz+Travel says:

Oh so nice! Went there for a Christmas market many years ago.

Happy Easter

Hugs

02 April 2021 - 11:33

Reply
Lena - good for the soul says:

A trip on the museum railway from Mariefred to Taxinge is recommended. So nice! And if you like cakes, as I said, this is the place to go.

Extra fun to read that Gustaf Kierman also owned Näsby. He is my brother-in-law's ancestor.

Hug Lena

05 April 2021 - 8:19

Reply

Taxinge castle - cookie castle in a beautiful location by Lake Mälaren

Taxinge Castle

A castle with a long history

Castle garden with surprises

Taxinge church

First night of the year in the campervan

More to see in the neighbourhood

Have you visited Taxinge Castle?

Facts about Taxinge Castle

Services and activities at Taxinge Castle

History at Taxinge Castle

18th century

19th century

20th century

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24 Comments

Ann says:

Helena says:

Kenneth+Risberg says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

Monet says:

Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

Helena says:

Nils-Åke+Hansson says:

Helena says:

Monics says:

4000mil says:

Helena says:

Elisabeth says:

Helena says:

Elisabeth says:

Helena says:

Monica says:

JoY says:

Ditte says:

BP says:

Liniz+Travel says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

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