Children’s playgrounds and training apparatus for all ages

Every school and kindergarten in Norway has an outdoor playground. During school hours these are for the use of the children attending that place. However after 17:00 on weekdays, at weekends and during national or school holidays, most of these may be used by all children. There are several in and around Vollen. By walking down to the village and across towards Arnestad school, you will find five fun outdoor playgrounds and also outdoor training apparatus for older children and adults.
New in 2019, is a kilometer long track around the school grounds for roller skiing. Children can also practise cycling skills there. The track is, of course, also used for cross country ski practice in the snowy months of the year.

The pictures below are from May 2018 and as well as showing some of the playgrounds at Arnestad school, they also show one of the tee-offs and a hole at the new Frisbeegolf. The whole course is found throughout the forest and down to the seaside at Vollen. This frisbeegolf course attracts keen adult experts who are amazing to watch in action, and also complete beginners and all those whose skill lies in-between! I have some frisbees for SheepsInn guests who would like to try so just ask me if you’d like to borrow them.

Below are a couple of photos from April, as the snow was finally melting in Vollen. Maybe not as pretty as in spring and summer, but still a great place for children to enjoy.

Magic Ice, Oslo

Magic Ice is found in four towns in Norway (and also in Anchorage, Alaska, Copenhagen, Denmark and Reykjavik, Iceland) The photos here were taken in Svolvær, in Lofoten in the North of Norway but the concept is much the same at each location. On entry you are given a warm robe and gloves as the temperature is several degrees below zero Celsius. Then a drink at the Ice Bar and afterwards you have fun wandering round the ice-blue rooms filled with ice statues.
The Oslo Magic Ice is right in the centre of Oslo.

Opening times:
Monday – Thursday and Sunday from 11:00 to 23:00
Friday and Saturday till midnight.

Admission price is NOK 195,- which includes a welcome drink served in an ice glass and a winter poncho to wear in the exhibition hall. Children pay 50% and there are discounted prices for families and students

Ice-cream in Vollen

Especially in the summer season, there are lots of places where you can enjoy some delicious Norwegian ice-cream in Vollen village. Here are some we recommend:

In the picture below, Sofie is enjoying a BIG soft ice from Vollen Marina sports shop. This is the store where you can buy sailing equipment, clothes, hats and lots more good quality articles for summer sports.

Of course there is an assortment of delicious ice cream desserts at Vito’s Restaurant just behind her in the picture. Vito’s is open from April to late autumn and is the place to buy take-away pizza and other Italian meals, or have a meal or drink inside or out while watching boating life.

The closest place to buy ice-cream when you are down at the beach in Vollen, is in the Fjord Museum. On your way up or down from the beach, you might like to enjoy a delicious ice-cream in the Greek restaurant, Elea, just across the street from the supermarket. However it is cheapest to buy ice-cream in REMA 1000 supermarked – look for special offers of boxes of six.

Café Oscar in the village centre, sells ice-creams as well as lots of wonderful cakes and bakes. The soft-ice machine has an exciting strawberry soft-ice as well as the usual vanilla! Below Liam is enjoying some soft-ice in March… looks as if he’s enjoying it!

Tusenfryd Amusement Park

Tusenfryd Amusement Park is open from spring to autumn. In 2019, the park opens on the 27th April. During May, the park is open only at weekends and on public holidays but you must always check opening times and also if the park is closed for special arrangements.

Hiking in Asker (with maps and well marked routes)

Asker Turlag (Asker Municipality’s hiking group) has made a website where a number of hiking trips of varying types are described in detail, with duration, length, elevation profile and map. You can use the automatic translation service on the site and giggle at some of the colourful translation suggestions.

The Royal Palace in Oslo and Oscarshall at Bygdøy

The Royal Palace in Oslo is open to the public during the summer. All visitors must follow a guided tour. The season lasts from mid June – mid August. Tickets are usually available from early in March. During the season, guided tours in Norwegian are given every day at the following times:
Monday – Thursday: 11:00-17:00; Friday: 12:00-17:00 Saturday – Sunday: 10.00 – 17.00
But consult the website for exact information

The tours last about one hour and begin every 20 minutes.

During the season, guided tours in English are given: All days at 12:00, 14:00, 14:20 and 16:00

Oscarshall

We also recommend a visit to Oscarshall, the Royal “Summer Palace” This is a small, beautifully maintained palace on the peninsula of Bygdøy in Oslo. During opening hours you are welcome to wander in the grounds, from the palace right down to the sea and you will find lunch or a snack at the Queen Josephine café. However joining a guided tour is a very special experience for the palace transports visitors back to the mid 1800’s.

Oscarshall is open from 1st June to 30th August, from Wednesday to Sunday. From 31st August to 9th September the palace is only open at weekends Friday – Sunday.
Opening hours are from 11:00 – 17:00.