Tungelsta: Garden City Between Horticulture and Landscape

Tungelsta combines the character of a garden city with a landscape in which agriculture, horticulture and more recent local history are closely connected. Small-scale development, older greenhouses and a garden park shape the area’s appearance. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Tungelsta will find a place where cultural and historical discoveries, nature observation and family-friendly destinations can be combined.

Horticulture as a Defining Part of Local History

Commercial horticulture has shaped Tungelsta since 1908. It was most extensive between 1940 and 1960; at that time, there were 94 greenhouse businesses and 16 open-field cultivation operations. This history is vividly presented at Tungelsta trädgårdspark, which features a reconstructed greenhouse and a horticultural museum with a function room. The garden park tells the story of the area’s development and makes the special connection between settlement and horticulture tangible.

The themed playground at Tungelsta trädgårdspark also reflects this past. It is inspired by Tungelsta’s history of commercial horticulture, laundries and drying sheds. Children can also play at the playground in Cykel-Pelles verkstad, which contains a car from the 1930s. The excursion playground is located near Tungelsta commuter railway station, making it easy to include in a variety of day plans without having to limit your visit to a single theme.

Landscape Between Valley, Fields and Stream

Tungelstabygden lies in a gently hilly, broad valley running from southwest to northeast. The lower-lying areas are shaped by glacial and postglacial sediments and today consist mainly of arable and grazing land. When choosing accommodation, this means that Tungelsta particularly appeals to travellers looking for a location with visible rural connections and its own horticultural history.

The Rocklösaån winds through Tungelsta trädgårdspark. The stream was restored to a more natural state so that trout would find suitable conditions for living and spawning there. Together with the garden park, it creates an excursion setting in which historical land use and nature themes stand side by side. Another local feature is Tungelsta Ridklubb, a riding school in the centre of Tungelsta; buses and commuter trains are within walking distance. For families with different interests, this contrast between garden park, local history, landscape and riding school can be helpful when planning a trip.

Railway History and Distinctive Buildings

The Nynäsbanan railway line between Stockholm and Nynäshamn was inaugurated in 1901, with a station in Tungelsta. Tungelsta station house, like all the station houses along the Nynäsbanan, was designed by Ferdinand Boberg. Those interested in transport history and architecture can connect these two points with the area’s development without viewing Tungelsta merely as a place to pass through.

The local architectural history also includes Tungelsta kyrka. It was built in 1973 according to plans by architect Rolf Bergh and has a square floor plan with bevelled corners to the south and north. The church complements the picture of a place whose history was shaped by agriculture and industrialisation: Tungelsta has always been defined by agriculture, while the character of the area changed during industrialisation.

More Destinations for Orientation

For further trip planning, you can also explore Haninge, Österhaninge, Västerhaninge, Dalarö, Ornö, Muskö, Utö and Vendelsö.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Haninge.