Vidinge gård is a dog-friendly accommodation in Småland, a camping site, a fishing centre and a starting point for nature experiences and packraft, located in the middle of the Småland forests. We drove here with the motorhome, in collaboration with Glasriket, and got to experience both pub life and a wonderful bike ride along the Alsterån river.
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Vidinge farm
At Vidinge farm you can stay over just because you are passing by, or perhaps because you want to take the opportunity to fish, cycle or try "packraft" in the flowing Alsterån river. The farm is run by Johan & Eva-Lena Philip, who gave us a very warm welcome. So did the three cats, and the lovely dog Kenny.
Vidinge farm is located in Älghult, Uppvidinge municipality, in the Glasriket region of Småland, within a relatively short distance of places like Växjö, Emmaboda, squid, Mönsterås and Vetlanda.
Vidinge farm - guest house and caravan site
If you come by car, you can stay in the main building, where you can choose between rooms of different standards and services. If you come by campervan, there are six pitches with electricity and a number of additional pitches without electricity. Motorhomers also have access to toilets and showers, and you can get a voucher to empty the black water at a nearby campsite. Whether you want to book a room or a pitch, it's best to book in advance to make sure there's space when you arrive.
Dog-friendly accommodation in Småland
Vidinge Farm has gained a reputation for being a dog-friendly accommodation in Småland, and there is of course a reason for this. Dogs are welcome in all rooms in the guesthouse and there are woodlands and pastures in the area that can be used for training. The owners themselves have the fantastic dog Kenny, which we immediately fell in love with.
Cosy pub on the farm
Another thing we liked about Vidinge Farm is the cosy pub, located in a white house on the farm. Even if you come by motorhome and think you have everything you need with you, it's nice to pop over for a beer or a bite to eat.
It felt a bit like entering an Irish pub. But with Småland beer then of course. Fantastically cosy!
For dinner, we had one of the farm's signature dishes, Shepherd's pie, made with minced meat from sheep raised on the farm. And then some chanterelle sauce and salad with avocado on it. Very tasty! We couldn't get a better ending to an intense day in the Kingdom of Glass!
Nice bike ride along the Alsterån river
The next day it was time for a bike ride in the area. We usually have our own bikes in the motorhome, but this time we used the farm's rental bikes, which come from Rentbike.se. In the vicinity of Vidinge Farm there are a number of different cycle paths, and you can get help with tips and suggestions for different routes.
On the way away from the farm, we adjusted the height of the saddles so that it would be comfortable to ride.
The most fun was that we got to "borrow" the farm's dog Kenny on the bike ride. The dog is very well-behaved and obeyed the house's request to follow us (or take care of us maybe!?) until we would meet up with the master at their shelter next to the Alsterån.
It was a wonderful bike ride in beautiful nature. We were here in November - definitely not Sweden's best season - and yet it was a really nice trip. And what a cosy company we got!
We stopped from time to time along the river to take photos, and to spend time by the lovely moving water. We understand that fishing is also popular here!
Eventually we arrived at the spot by the river where Vidinge Farm has a shelter, and here the owner Johan was also waiting for us. The shelter can be rented, and for residents of the farm both shelter and firewood are included.
Here we made a fire and boiled a pot of good coffee from the Småland region. Tadah coffee roastery. We also warmed blueberry muffins by the fire. Fantastic that it can be this cosy to be out in nature even in late autumn!
Visit to the Iron Barn
The owner Johan then took us, by car, to "Järnladan". This place, also called Höneström, is a cultural area from the end of the 18th century when Orrefors Bruk started producing iron here.
The small red cottage was the mill office and the iron barn was where the finished iron was stored. Later, in the 20th century, the cottage was used as a hunting lodge by the Swedish business elite and even by Swedish royalty!
Today the area is leased by Vidinge Gård, and Järnladan is used for various meetings, parties and events, by both private individuals and companies. The place can also be booked by a group of around three motorhomes, if you want access to a secluded place, in beautiful nature and with a cosy common room where you can make a fire in the open fireplace and eat together. However, you cannot stay overnight in the barn.
In the surrounding area you can of course hike, fish or maybe take a trip with a packraft. Of course you can also bring your dog - this is a dog-friendly accommodation in Småland!
More activities: Fishing, hunting and rafting
One of the most popular activities in the area is fishing, and you can buy a fishing licence at the farm. Stream fishing in the Alsterån river is particularly popular, but you can also fish in various lakes nearby. Hunting is another popular activity here in the forests of Småland. We weren't interested in hunting or fishing, but we were keen to try 'packraft' - tours in a kind of inflatable kayak.
After several hours outdoors we started to feel a bit cold and chose not to go out on the water right now, but this is an adventure we would really like to try another time! We have borrowed two photos from Vidinge farm to show how packrafting in Alsterån can look like.
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
There is of course much more to see and do in the neighbourhood! If you like adventure and adrenaline, we can recommend Europe's longest zipline, which is not far from here. If you want, you can book a package with both Vidinge Farm and the zipline in one!
There are also plenty of safari parks and elk parks in this part of Småland, for those who love animals and nature. Of course, Glasriket also offers the opportunity to see art glass and glass blowing, or maybe even try blowing glass yourself. Another place to stay, for those who like nature experiences, is Ödevata farm hotel.
Have you visited Vidinge Farm? Do you usually look for dog-friendly accommodation? Do you like nature experiences such as cycling and fishing? Please tell us!
Facts about Vidinge gård och ställplats - dog-friendly accommodation in Småland.
- Address: Svartshult Vidingegården, Älghult
- Municipality: Uppvidinge municipality
- County: Kronoberg County
- Landscape: Småland
- Read more: You can find more information at the farm's website
Services and practical information
- Accommodation: In the main building you can choose between hotel standard rooms, hostel rooms and apartments with their own kitchen. Since this is a dog-friendly accommodation in Småland, you can bring your dog in all rooms.
- Parking spaces: There are six sites with electricity for motorhomes or caravans at Vidinge Farm. There are a few more sites without electricity. Toilets and showers are available. Black water can be emptied at a nearby campsite.
- Food service: The pub serves food and drinks to guests. Residents can also book breakfast and packed lunches. Barbecues and events are also organised.
- Booking: Accommodation in the main building and in the car park should be booked in advance, either through the booking system or by telephone.
Activities at Vidinge Farm
- Fishing: Various types of fishing, including stream fishing in the Alsterån river. You can also rent equipment and take short courses.
- Packraft: Adventure with packraft, an inflatable kayak.
- Cycling and hiking tours: You can cycle and hike along various trails. There are 20 nature reserves in Uppvidinge municipality. Bicycles are available for hire. You can also borrow a mushroom basket or berry bucket if you want to make forest finds.
- Activities at Järnladan: Järnladan in Höneström is used for fishing meetings, groups, parties and events. The Iron Barn can also be rented.
- Conference and events: Conferences can be booked for half or full days. Packages can also be booked with accommodation and activities.
- More activities: Through Vidinge Farm you can book activities that include quad biking and ziplining.
You might also like:
Europe's longest zipline - Sweden Zipline in Småland.
Ödevata farm hotel and caravan park - sustainable in Småland
Visiting a moose park - moose safari in Glasriket moose park
Sauna rafting in Småland - a magical experience at Ödevata farm hotel
Glasshouses and glassworks in Glasriket - guide with map
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Mr Johan says:
Thanks for a great visit and nice blog post!
Next time you come by, we'll definitely try to take a packraft tour together.
If we paddle the quieter stretches, Kenny will of course join us.
23 November 2021 - 10:48
Helena says:
Thank you very much! Fantastically nice and cosy visit! We'd love to come back for a packraft tour, preferably in a little warmer weather 🙂.
23 November 2021 - 17:59
bmlarstravellingblog says:
What a lovely day you had in this dark November in this cosy place!
And we can't deny that the photo with the packraft and bright blue sky looks very appealing....
23 November 2021 - 16:49
Helena says:
Really! Really cosy and lovely! We were happy that it can actually be so lovely to be outside in November, but sure, the packraft looks even more appealing with some sun and greenery 🙂 .
23 November 2021 - 18:00
BP says:
Imagine how much you can do despite the short days and November cold. Vidinge Farm is run by enthusiasts. It shows. Being extremely dog-averse, I wouldn't want to make the acquaintance of a Rottweiler(?), but I definitely wouldn't turn down the pub and Shepherd's pie. How un-Swedish to have a "country pub" in the middle of nowhere. Fun!
23 November 2021 - 17:32
Helena says:
Right? There are not many light hours this year, but it's nice when you actually get out! I understand your feeling when you are afraid of dogs, but Kenny is an incredibly nice and reliable dog, not a rottweiler, but a herding dog, a kelpie I think the breed is called. And completely agree, a little unseemly, but very cosy, with that pub! 🙂
23 November 2021 - 18:03
Lena - good for the soul says:
What a lovely place that seems to be! Close to nature and at the same time a little action it's how I like it! Thanks for the tips!
Hug Lena
13 April 2022 - 6:52