Høgdal Cultural-Historical Visitor Farm, Them

A farm where time stands almost still

Høgdal sits in the countryside near Them, framed by soft fields and the forested landscapes of Søhøjlandet. At first glance it looks like a modest cluster of whitewashed, thatched farm buildings, but step through the gate and you enter a farmstead whose roots reach back to 1796. The layout of courtyard, barns and stables still follows traditional rural patterns, forming a sheltered world that feels intimate and self-contained. The atmosphere is strikingly calm. Gravel crunches underfoot, swallows trace low arcs above the roofs, and the faint smell of woodsmoke and animals lingers in the air. This is not a polished country estate but a working farm frozen in an earlier era, where worn thresholds, uneven cobbles and patched beams quietly tell their own stories.

From family homestead to living visitor centre

Høgdal was founded by Jens Jensen Lemming at the end of the 18th century, and the property remained in the same family for five generations. Over time it grew into a self-sufficient holding, adapting slowly to new tools and methods but never losing its traditional structure. The last farmers, brothers Jens and Peder Jensen, lived here until the 1970s and are central to the story the visitor centre now shares. Rather than being modernised beyond recognition, the farm was preserved, allowing its interiors, workshops and outbuildings to reflect everyday routines from a not‑so‑distant past. Today Høgdal is run as a cultural-historical farm where volunteers and staff keep those stories alive through activities, maintenance of the buildings and care for the animals that still roam the yard.

Everyday life in an old Danish farmhouse

Inside the low farmhouse you find small rooms with painted wooden doors, simple furniture and practical objects set out as if the household has just stepped outside. Cast-iron stoves, coffee mills, spinning wheels and enamel jugs speak of a rhythm of life shaped by seasons and manual work. The scale is human and homely rather than grand, making it easy to imagine the sound of boots in the hallway or quiet evening conversations by lamplight. Workshops and group visits dive deeper into traditional crafts. Activities might include carding and spinning wool, making small figures from beeswax or felt, grinding grain in hand‑cranked mills, or playing old-fashioned farmyard games. These are not staged spectacles so much as practical demonstrations that reveal how much effort once went into the simplest daily tasks.

Courtyard animals and open-air discoveries

Even when the buildings are closed, the grounds around Høgdal invite gentle exploration. Goats may peer over fences, cats sun themselves on stone steps, and chickens wander across the yard, adding a playful, living layer to the historic setting. The surrounding meadows and tree lines create sheltered corners where birdsong replaces traffic noise. Paths lead around the edges of the property, offering changing views of the farm against the wider Søhøjlandet landscape. Many visitors bring a packed lunch to enjoy at one of the outdoor tables or simply sit on a bench in the courtyard, watching light move across timber and brick while the farm animals provide low-key entertainment.

Seasonal events in the Lake District countryside

Throughout the year Høgdal hosts small cultural-historical events that make use of both farm and surrounding nature. Mushroom walks, animal-tracking excursions, fiddle music gatherings and thematic days connected with old rural traditions all feature on a changing programme. These activities highlight the close relationship between the farm and the forests, fields and weather that sustained it. Groups and schools can arrange tailored visits that combine storytelling, craft sessions and time with the animals. Whether you join a scheduled event or simply wander through on a quiet day, Høgdal offers a rare chance to slow down, notice details and experience rural Danish heritage in its original setting rather than behind glass.