Angso National Park

Angso was one of the nine parks declared in 1909, the first in Europe, and it was protected specifically as a cultural landscape rather than a wilderness: a small island of hay meadow, grazed pasture and light woodland shaped by centuries of farming, which is a habitat that vanishes as soon as the farming stops. That was the argument then and it took decades to be accepted - early management let the meadows grow over before the policy was reversed. They are now cut and grazed on the old cycle. June brings orchids and a long list of meadow flowers. The island is small, has no shop or accommodation, and boats run only in season.

What you'll find

• Hay meadows cut on the old cycle - the reason for protection.
• Orchids and meadow flowers - at their best in June.
• A park declared in 1909 - among Europe's first.
• A small island with no facilities - meadow, pasture and light wood.

When to go

June for the flowering; boats run in summer only. Half a day.

Practical notes

There are no facilities at all - no shop, no toilets worth relying on, no accommodation. Boats are seasonal and infrequent. The island is small and quickly walked. Outside June the meadows are much less striking.

Nearby

Furusund is on the mainland side; Norrtalje is north-west.

Key facts