Egeskov Castle

Egeskov, on the island of Funen, is one of the best-preserved Renaissance moated castles in Europe, a fairy-tale fortress rising straight from its lake, built in 1554 on a foundation of oak piles. Around it spread grand gardens, a hedge maze and, more unexpectedly, museums of vintage cars, aircraft and motorcycles, making it a full family day.

History

Egeskov is first mentioned in 1405, and the present castle was built by Frands Brockenhuus in 1554. In the unsettled years of the Count's Feud and the Reformation many Danish noblemen built their homes as fortresses, and Egeskov stands on oak piles in a small lake up to 5 metres deep, originally reachable only by a drawbridge; legend says a whole forest of oaks went into the foundations, hence the name, "oak forest". The Bille-Brahe family acquired the estate from the Brockenhuus descendants in 1784, and in 1882 it passed by inheritance to the counts Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille, who still own it (Wikipedia, Egeskov Castle).

What you'll find

• The water castle - the moated Renaissance castle reflected in its lake.
• The gardens and maze - the formal gardens and the great beech hedge maze.
• The vehicle museums - the collections of vintage cars, aircraft and motorcycles.
• The treetop walk and play - the family attractions in the grounds.

When to go

The summer season, when the castle, gardens and attractions are fully open; it is largely a warm-season destination. The gardens are loveliest in bloom.

Good to know

It has grown into a family attraction with entrance prices to match, blending castle with theme-park-style extras. It is largely seasonal, so check winter opening. It is on Funen, a drive from the main cities.

Nearby

Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, is nearby; the Funen countryside spreads around.

Key facts