Discover Lövstabruk: History, Culture and Walks

Lövstabruk combines the history of ironworking with museums, music, gardens and walks. Ironworking was carried out here from the 16th century until 1926. Those looking for a holiday destination with cultural discoveries and opportunities to explore at their own pace will therefore find various options in Lövstabruk for planning their days. A holiday apartment or holiday home can be chosen to suit personal interests: the focus may be on historic buildings, garden art, music, beer culture or time spent outdoors.

A historic Vallonbruk with a distinctive main axis

Lövstabruk, known as Leufsta bruk in earlier times, is one of the better-preserved so-called Vallonbruk. Stora gatan is particularly important for finding your way around: in Lövsta bruk, it forms an 800-metre-long main axis running from north to south. This clear layout provides a tangible introduction to the historic site and makes the scale of the place easier to understand.

Several stops offer insights into the history and everyday life of Lövstabruk. The Nationalmuseum collection comprises around 60 objects, most of which date from the 17th and 18th centuries. Lövstabruk Manor was built around 1725 and connected to the two wings in the early 19th century. As a public museum, the manor house can be visited with a day pass. Smedsbostaden is a living museum showing how a blacksmith’s family lived and made their home. The brick church, consecrated in 1726 and built in the Carolean Baroque style, is also one of the town’s notable historic buildings.

Gardens and walks for planning your own day

Around Lövstabruk are a reconstructed Baroque garden, an English park and an orchard. The Baroque garden was reconstructed in 1970–1971 by Walter Bauer based on drawings by A. F. Barnekow from 1769. This makes it possible to include garden art in your travel plans both as a historical subject and as a peaceful counterpoint to visits to the museums.

The historic ironworks surroundings, the park and the area around Lövstabruk are open year-round for walks at your own pace. For families with different levels of enthusiasm for physical activity, this can be a flexible addition to the cultural attractions without the day having to be governed entirely by a fixed programme. Just before Lövstabruk’s southern gate, there is also a bathing area with a diving tower, jetties, a changing room and a toilet. Alongside history and architecture, this provides an opportunity to spend time by the water.

Music, instruments and beer from Lövstabruk

Music holds a special place in Lövstabruk. The Leufsta- and Cahmanorgelns vänner association organises the annual Cahmandagarna, featuring music played on the Cahman organ. Klaverens Hus displays a large collection of keyboard instruments, including around 350 pianos. These two attractions offer different experiences: the Cahmandagarna combine a recurring cultural event with organ music, while Klaverens Hus focuses on the diversity of historic and other keyboard instruments.

The local character also includes a culinary touch. Leufstabruk Bryggeri offers bookable beer tastings at the brewery, as well as the sale of some beer bottles directly from the brewery. Those who want to combine culture with regional culinary experiences can include this focus in their own plans for the day.

Transport and choosing accommodation

Lövstabruk has good bus connections along National Road 76, with good commuting options to Forsmark and Gävle. This is an important consideration when choosing a holiday destination: you can view Lövstabruk as a culturally focused place to stay or incorporate the connections mentioned into your wider travel plans. Suitable accommodation should above all match your preferred daily rhythm – for example, days spent moving between museums, gardens, walks, the bathing area and music.

If you would like to expand your search beyond Lövstabruk, you can also visit the pages for Skärplinge, Söderfors, Tierp and Karlholmsbruk.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Tierp.