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The Green Museum

Denmark's national museum uniting hunting, forests, agriculture, and food heritage in one immersive setting.

4.5

Denmark's national museum dedicated to hunting, forestry, agriculture, and food culture, located at the historic Gammel Estrup estate in Auning. This living museum combines indoor exhibitions with outdoor gardens, including a showcase of 250 Danish apple varieties. The museum explores the cultural heritage of land use and resource management across Denmark's rural traditions, offering visitors an immersive experience of the country's agricultural and hunting history.

A brief summary to The Green Museum

  • Randersvej 4, Auning, 8963, DK
  • +4586483444
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours
  • Budget
  • Environment icon Mixed
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 10 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-5 pm
  • Friday 10 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Children under 18 receive free admission, making this an excellent family destination. Annual passes offer good value if planning multiple visits.
  • Visit the show garden during growing season (spring through autumn) to fully appreciate the 250 Danish apple varieties on display.
  • The admission ticket provides access to both The Green Museum and the neighboring Gammel Estrup Denmark's Manor Museum, offering extended cultural exploration.
  • Den Gamle Stald restaurant on-site does not require museum admission, providing a convenient dining option without purchasing a ticket.
  • Allow 2–3 hours minimum to experience both the indoor exhibitions and outdoor spaces meaningfully.
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Getting There

  • Car

    From Aarhus city center, drive approximately 50 kilometers northeast toward Auning via Route 16 and Route 435, taking approximately 50–60 minutes. Parking is available on-site at the museum. From Randers, the drive is approximately 25 kilometers and takes 25–30 minutes via Route 435 eastbound.

  • Public Transport

    Regional buses operate between Aarhus and Auning, with journey times of 60–90 minutes depending on service and stops. From Auning town center, a taxi or local shuttle service is recommended for the final 1.5 kilometers to Gammel Estrup, as no direct bus service serves the museum entrance. Verify current schedules with local transport authorities before traveling.

  • Cycling

    Auning is accessible by regional cycling routes from surrounding towns. The 1.5-kilometer approach from Auning village to the museum is manageable by bicycle on local roads. Cycling is practical during dry weather months and offers a scenic approach through the Djursland countryside.

  • Guided Tour

    Several tour operators in the Aarhus region offer day trips to The Green Museum and Gammel Estrup as part of broader East Jutland cultural itineraries. These typically include transport from Aarhus and guided interpretation, with journey times of 45–90 minutes depending on departure point and route.

The Green Museum location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

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Discover more about The Green Museum

A Living Testament to Danish Rural Heritage

The Green Museum stands as Denmark's premier institution dedicated to the interconnected histories of hunting, forestry, agriculture, and food culture. Established through a 2017 merger between the Danish Museum of Hunting and Forestry and the Danish Agricultural Museum, this unified approach allows visitors to experience these four themes together for the first time under one roof. Located at Gammel Estrup, a historic estate 1.5 kilometers outside Auning in East Jutland, the museum occupies a setting that itself reflects centuries of Danish land stewardship and rural life.

Exploring Four Pillars of Danish Land Use

The museum's thematic focus addresses the use of land and resources across approximately 80 percent of Denmark's total land area, making it a vital repository of cultural knowledge. Visitors encounter extensive collections reflecting hunting traditions, forest management practices, agricultural innovation, and food heritage. The exhibitions are designed around the principle of putting people first—examining how ordinary Danes have worked the land, managed forests, hunted sustainably, and developed food traditions over generations. This human-centered approach transforms what could be purely historical documentation into narratives of daily life, ingenuity, and adaptation.

Gardens and Outdoor Experiences

Beyond the indoor galleries, the museum features an impressive show garden that showcases 250 varieties of Danish apples. This living collection demonstrates the agricultural diversity cultivated across Denmark and serves as both an educational resource and a sensory experience. The outdoor spaces allow visitors to walk among heritage plant varieties and understand the practical aspects of Danish farming and horticulture in a way that complements the museum's interior collections.

Setting and Accessibility

The museum's location on the Djursland peninsula, positioned between the towns of Randers and Grenå, makes it accessible to visitors exploring East Jutland. The estate grounds provide a natural, immersive environment that enhances the thematic content. While some areas present accessibility challenges for wheelchair users, the museum continues to work toward improving access to its collections and outdoor spaces. A restaurant, Den Gamle Stald, operates on-site and does not require museum admission, offering refreshment options for visitors.

Research and Cultural Significance

The Green Museum functions not only as a public institution but also as a research center investigating the cultural history of hunting, forestry, agriculture, and food across Denmark. This scholarly dimension ensures that exhibitions remain informed by contemporary research and that the museum contributes to broader understanding of rural cultural heritage. The institution's role extends beyond display to active documentation and interpretation of how Danes have shaped and been shaped by their natural environment.

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