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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...
The Norwegian Folk Museum in Oslo (Norsk folkemuseum)
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is located at Bygdøy in Oslo and has an open-air museum with 160 historic buildings. One of the main attractions is Gol Stave Church which dates from around 1200. Indoor exhibits include Norwegian folk costumes,...
Munchmuseet – The new Munch Museum opened in 2022
The new Munch Museum opens in 2020 in Bjørvika, Oslo. Across 13 floors, visitors will be able to see more of Munch than ever before. In fact this will be one of the world's largest museums dedicated to a single artist. The building is designed by the Spanish...
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...
Blaafarveværket (The Cobalt works) and the Haugfoss waterfalls
The cobalt ore from the mines 8 km further up the hills was brought down to the Haugfoss waterfalls where it was processed using the power from the big 6 meter water wheel. Today the Blaafarveværket site is a beautiful natural museum about the making of cobalt used...
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...
Fishing in salt water / Fishing in freshwater
Both pictures are taken at Vollen harbour in Selvikbukta - one in early March and the other in late May. You only need a rod - fishing in the fjord is free and you might catch a nice cod or sea trout for dinner... The Directorate of Fisheries in Norway gives the...
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...
Kayaking on the Oslo fjord
At Bærum Maritime Senter, 15 minutes drive from Vollen, you can rent kayaks between March and November. Opening hours are Monday - Friday from 10:00 - 18:00 and Saturdays & Sunday 10:00 - 16:00. Kayaks can be rented for two hours or 24 hours at a time. Kayaks...
Drive to the End of the World (Verdens Ende)
The name is perhaps a little dramatic, but that what the southernmost point of the island of Tjøme is called. Two of our guests from the Netherlands drove down one windy afternoon in March and thoroughly recommended making the trip. Verdens Ende is reached by...
Oslo Town Hall (Oslo rådhus)
The City Hall, Oslo Rådhus, is situated in Pipervika, right by the harbour where the ferry boat from Vollen docks. Oslo Rådhus has characteristic architecture, (known to the citizens as the blocks of goat cheese), artworks and the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, held on...
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...
Middle Ages Cathedral at Hamar / Domkirkeruinene på Hamar
The Middle Ages Cathedral ruins date from 1152. In 1998 a magnificent protective encasement of glass was erected and this was consecrated as a church. The building is now used for religious ceremonies, concerts and theatre productions. There is room for an...
Stavkirker – Stave churches
There are a number of stave churches, from as early as the 12th century within easy reach of Vollen. Perhaps Heddal and Uvdal are the finest, but all are well-worth a visit. Some, however, are not open for visitors, unless a viewing of the interior has been arranged beforehand.