Kategori: Lighthouse

Homlungen Lighthouse | Skjærhalden | Hvaler

Stay in your own lighthouse at Homlungen.

Homlungen lighthouse is idyllically located on an islet outside Skjærhalden on Kirkøy on Hvaler. It is a harmonious small lighthouse and a protected cultural monument from 1867. Homlungen is located on a beautiful small islet, separated by a strait of only a few ten meters from Kirkøy on Hvaler. 

At Homlungen lighthouse, the lighthouse itself is ready for rental. The lighthouse has 12 beds and is rented for a maximum of 3 days per booking. The lighthouse has a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge and stove. The old chicken house has been built with a toilet and shower. The Holmen lighthouse is located on is part of the Ytre Hvaler National Park. There is electricity on the island.

To access the lighthouse from Skjærhalden, follow the coastal path south for about 1 km. The path eventually goes through pine forest and over rocky outcrops, approx. 30 min. walking in hilly terrain. The path is steep in places, and can be slippery in wet weather. On the land side inside the lighthouse there are 2 rowing boats to get over to the islet. The round trip is approx. 50 meters. It is possible to moor your own boat at the lighthouse, limited depth.

Filtvet Fyr

The first lantern at the lighthouse station was lit in 1840. It was placed in the wall of a private house. Gradually, ship traffic increased sharply, and in 1877 the new lighthouse was completed. The lighthouse was placed in a bay window on the second floor, above the lighthouse keeper's residence. When the lighthouse became electric in 1919, the lantern was moved up to a new lantern house, and since then, Filtvet lighthouse has looked like it does today. For more than a hundred years, lighthouse keepers lived here who made sure that the light never went out.

One of the more famous lighthouse keepers was Thomas Neumann. He came here in 1895, after a long career as skipper of several sailing ships. At that time, he was already 68 years old, and this was to be his retirement job. He moved into the lighthouse keeper's house with his wife Caroline. He was so happy that he protested when the lighthouse service wanted to replace him at the age of 82. He argued that it would be difficult to get a new job, as old as he had become. The case was solved by him receiving a small pension from the state, which was quite unusual at the time.

The automation of Norwegian lighthouses started in the 1980s, and since 1985 no people have lived in Filtvet lighthouse. But there is still a functioning lighthouse here, now in the form of a concrete column at the sea's edge.

Filtvet and Tofte coastal villages

We introduce you to two different towns that are reached by the summer boat B21 to Filtvet, by car or by bike.

Filtvet is easily reached by boat during summer time and we start at the pier where we have great views over to Son and towards Filtvet Fyr. Follow Strandveien past the small houses towards Filtvet Lighthouse and the beautiful white beach where you can swim and sunbathe and enjoy a delicious meal at Vilma Sjøbad. On the other side of the lighthouse is a nice green area with benches.

Probably, Filtvet has been a port since the Middle Ages where loading and unloading of goods and exports of timber has been conducted. From the 1740s to the 1770s there were operations in three iron mines near Filtvet. These were owned by Moss ironworks, and were located on or near Husebykollen. Mining ceased and seamen settled in Filtvet. From the 1780s, Filtvet was also a customs office under Drøbak's customs district. But after Tofte Cellulosefabrikk was built in 1897, Tofte emerged as the largest urban area in the area.

Filtvet lighthouse is the region's only lighthouse and has been in operation since 1840 and was automated in 1985 and today is a coastal gallery with changing exhibitions throughout the summer. The garden and beach are open for for swimming and recreation. Various events such as exhibitions, concerts and lectures are also organized. It is possible to rent the lighthouse

If you have lunch at Vilma Sjøbad there is a real danger of not wanting to leave this beautiful white bay with a view to the lighthouse, and you do not need to as Vilma Sjøbad Boutique hotel offers overnight stay for guests.

……. but new experiences awaits……

Tour suggestions in Filtvet:

Follow the dirt road that goes on the upper side of Villa Malla and you will reach a nice wooden bridge and Ekrebukta and follow the coastal path further towards Tofte. 

Tofte is located at the south tip of Hurum and is among the areas in the country with the highest average temperature. This leads to a lush plant and bird life on the islands and in the Sandbukta-Østnestangen nature reserve. It is said that the most beautiful part of the coastal path is the trip from Tofte to Rødangen via the nature reserve with the possibility of tenting along the way. Cozy trip with great views of the coast. There is abundant wildlife of seabirds and seals in the archipelago at Tofte. The area around Tofte has significant occurrences of the rare species of mistletoe and barberry.

Tofte center is elongated several beautiful sandy beaches and grassy areas for fun with good toilet facilities such as Apotekerstranda and Preisserstranda, as welas local eateries where Café Lasse is the local place to meet.

Tofte Cellulosefabrik AS and Hurum Fabriker AS, became the cornerstone companies that the entire Tofte community depended on for over a hundred years until the factory was closed down in 2013. A strong working-class culture grew on site and the population expanded. Today, the area has been transformed into a business park and Tofte has several well-preserved buildings that describe industrial history.

The polar ship Maud made for scientist and polar explorer Roald Amundsen is kept and on display in the harbor south of Tofte pending the construction of a museum. You may on selected dates be able to discover the local exhibition "Maudheim" from his exhibitions and with the replica of the plane "Kristine".

 

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Coastal gems along the Oslofjord west coast

Throughout history, the west side of Oslo has attracted artists, bathers and Christiania's nobility to gather in the small towns during the summer months. No wonder the area today has 6 of Norway's Blue Flag beaches in addition to top hikes with stunning views and plenty of unspoilt nature.

A road trip through Bærum and Asker and Hurumlandet, takes you through various eras via charming summer gems such as Vollen, Sætre and Holmsbu. The area is best experienced by car but is also very popular to explore from the bike seat or by leisure boat. There is also a scheduled boat between Aker Brygge and Drøbak / Son with stops along the coast.

From industry and shipbuilding to small town charm
You can get close to Oslo and the region's cultural highlights by staying at Fornebu with sea views and bathing opportunities right outside your door. At Scandic Fornebu everything is ready for a lovely dinner, a game of shuffleboard in the bar. Explore the Fornebu peninsula with its art installations, exciting architecture, Nansenparken and magnificent coastal nature. Art lovers should also visit the Henie Onstad Art Center or Sjøholmen near Sandvika before the tour continues.

Take a tour of the old ironworks at Bærums Verk for a gallery tour and shopping, today a shopping center with over 40 shops and restaurants. The place is idyllically situated along the river Lomma. The sculpture park shows the country's foremost collection of Norwegian sculptors. Fill up the basket of delicacies for the drive from Smelters Mathus and crafts from the unique shops.

A stop in Vollen offers a whole day of experiences; unique shops with jewelery design and fashion, delicious Mediterranean lunch by the water at Vito´s or the taste of Greece at Elea. A popular activity is renting Jet Ski in the marina for a ride to the coastal pearl Konglungen and Middagsbukta, followed by sauna and sea bath at Varm in Vollen. On the other side of the bay, the Oslofjord Museum has changing exhibitions that tell about life on the fjord and boat building traditions. The Polar ship Maud was built here and is now for storage in Tofte, further south on the Hurum Peninsula.
In pleasant Filtvedt there is real danger of staying here in the beautiful white bay with a view to the lighthouse ……. but new experiences are worth the detachment.

World-class geology
You get the feeling of being in Southern Norway all the way along the long coast with small coves and beaches, maritime walks and white seahouses. Explore the unique geology where you see fossils of snails and squid in the stone urns in Slemmestad. The outfield is full of mushrooms throughout the fall, small undisturbed lakes for a dip are nice hiking destinations and you really get away from the hectic everyday life.

The painter town of Holmsbu
Rødangen and Holmsbu were early favorites among the elite of artists, known for their beautiful light. Here the coast is at some of its most beautiful where the fjord opens, the seals colonies reside on the islets and the many nature reserves manage wildlife and plant life. Rent a nice cabin and stay near this coastal pearl that oozes of life from Easter to the autumn holidays, but is well worth a year-round visit. Spend the evening with fine dining at one of the city's restaurants and cafes, listening to live music in the backyard or on the hotel's terrace before the small talk continues into the late morning.

When the morning light comes on, why not start the day in the robes before exploring the area either by renting a canoe, cycling or discovering the galleries for which the place is so famous. The hotel serves a good breakfast with sea views. Just below the hotel there is the possibility to rent the floating sauna and combine the sea bath, togetherness and sauna.

Royal scenery and farm visits
There is something soothing about the presence of the animals, sweaters knit from the finest alpaca wool and to touch the soft fur. Enjoy a day at Bergvang Gård, get close to the beautiful alpacas and ride into the forest on horseback. The Icelandic horse is fun to ride, it is small and strong. The tours take place in the beautiful area at Semsvann in Asker, in the backyard of the Crown Prince´s residence.

Wellbeeing and togetherness
Visit Holmen Fjordhotell to get care of stiff muscles and quality time. Enjoy the afternoon in the hotel's SPA with pool, steam room and jaccuzi. The evening should end with a delicious sea view meal, wine from the house's beautiful wine cellar and a game of shuffleboard.

** Have a good trip**