Sanderumgaard & The Romantic Garden

A Fyn Manor Steeped in Centuries of History

Sanderumgaard lies in the rolling countryside southeast of Odense, a classic Fyn manor surrounded by fields, woodland and water. The estate’s roots stretch back to the 1400s, when this landscape still bordered Odense Fjord, and much of the land is reclaimed seabed that later became fertile farmland. Over time the property evolved into a substantial estate of fields and forest, with the main house and farm buildings forming a compact historic core. The manor has long been a working agricultural and forestry property, and you still sense that productive rhythm in the barns, fields and shelterbelts that frame the garden. Yet behind the practical surface lies a layered cultural story of landscape design, changing tastes and the ambitions of successive owners.

The Birth of Denmark’s Romantic Landscape Garden

In the early 1800s, owner Johan Bülow reshaped the land around the house into a Romantic landscape garden in the English style, one of the very first of its kind in Denmark. Instead of formal parterres, he created meandering paths, small islands, quiet coves and sweeping views across water and meadow. The idea was to invite contemplation and emotion rather than display strict symmetry. Bülow dotted the grounds with small pavilions, viewpoints and intimate resting places. The garden became a living narrative, encouraging visitors to wander, pause and reflect as the scenery shifted from open water to shady thicket or flowering banks. This deliberate choreography of movement and mood still underpins the experience today.

Restoration from Paintings, Diaries and Memory

By the 20th century, much of the original design had softened or disappeared under more utilitarian planting. The current owning family, led by Susanne and Erik Vind, undertook a major restoration, reopening the garden to the public in 2010 after years of research and careful work. Old paintings, maps and garden journals were used as guides, allowing historic sightlines, path curves and planting themes to be recreated. The result is not a museum piece frozen in time but a garden that feels both authentic and alive. Historic structures have been repaired, bridges renewed and water features revitalised, while new plantings respect the Romantic spirit. Seasonal markets and events are held in and around the garden, adding contemporary life to the historic framework.

A Peony-Rich Tapestry of Water, Trees and Flowers

One of Sanderumgaard’s signatures is its extensive collection of peonies, with thousands of plants woven into beds and borders throughout the 15‑hectare garden. Early summer brings clouds of blossom in whites, pinks and deep reds, set against lawns, shrubs and mature trees. The peonies have become a point of pride for the estate, linking present-day horticulture to the first peony plantings recorded here in the early 1800s. Beyond the flowers, the garden is structured around canals, ponds and small lakes, often edged with reed beds, willows and romantic wooden structures. Yellow waterlilies dot the surfaces in warmer months, and reflections of trees and pavilions give the scene a quietly theatrical quality, especially in the soft evening light.

Paths, Hideaways and Moments of Quiet

For visitors, the main pleasure lies in wandering. Winding paths lead through woodland, across bridges and along narrow banks with water on both sides. Here and there, you encounter small shelters, benches, a swing by a pavilion or a viewpoint framed by branches. These are designed as places to linger with a book, share a conversation or simply listen to the sounds of wind and birds. Despite its historical importance, Sanderumgaard feels immediately approachable: a place to sit on the grass, watch dragonflies over the water or trace the route of an old canal. The blend of history, horticulture and gentle Fyn landscape makes it an appealing half-day escape from town life.

Events, Manor Life and Today’s Estate

The manor buildings themselves host private events such as weddings, meetings and celebrations, and their restored interiors echo the estate’s long story while functioning to modern standards. On selected dates, seasonal markets bring stalls, produce and crafts into the garden setting, underlining the estate’s role as a living rural hub. Yet even on ordinary open days, the atmosphere remains calm and unhurried. You move between glimpses of working farmland and carefully framed garden scenes, always with a sense that this is both a historic place and a contemporary home. That dual identity—productive estate and Romantic refuge—is what gives Sanderumgaard its particular character.