Moominworld

Moominworld is the island theme park built around Tove Jansson's Moomins, the gentle hippo-like creatures beloved across Finland and far beyond. Rather than rides, it offers the blue Moominhouse, the characters wandering the woods and shore, and the whole world of the stories brought to life for young children.

Background

The park, designed by Dennis Livson, opened on June 26, 1993 on Kailo, a small island beside Naantali old town. Its centrepiece is the blueberry-coloured Moomin House, built in 1993 after Tove Jansson's own drawings, and visitors may explore all five of its storeys. Other stops include the Hemulen's house, the fire station, Moominpappa's boat, Moominmamma's kitchen and the camp of Snufkin, while paths lead to the Witch's Labyrinth, the Hattifatteners' Cave and the Groke's House. There are performances in the covered outdoor theatre Emma, and the park opens daily from mid-June to mid-August.

Source: Wikipedia, "Moomin World"

What you'll find

• Moominhouse - the tall round blue house you can explore inside.
• The characters - Moomintroll, Snork Maiden, Little My and the rest, met on the island.
• Hemulen's and the story settings - the huts and places from the books.
• The island itself - woods and shore made into the Moomin world.

When to go

Summer for the full season and warm weather; a short winter season runs around February half-term. It is aimed squarely at younger children and their families.

Things to know

It is a gentle, imagination-led park with almost no rides, so older children and thrill-seekers may find it slight - its magic is for the young and for fans of the stories. It is seasonal, closed much of the year. Naantali around it is a pretty seaside town worth adding.

Nearby

The old wooden town of Naantali is beside it; Turku and its castle are a short drive.

Key facts