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Esthers Have, Hillerød

Provence‑inspired lavender slopes, woodland paths and a rustic hilltop barn create a tranquil countryside garden escape just outside Hillerød.

4.3

Tucked into the rolling countryside just outside Hillerød, Esthers Have is one of Denmark’s largest Provence‑inspired private gardens, blending lavender fields, Mediterranean plantings and small woodland paths across 37,000 square meters. Wander a 2.5 km trail that climbs gently through themed beds, open views and mixed forest before reaching a rustic barn at the top, where groups can pause over simple refreshments and enjoy the tranquil rural setting used for events, courses and cultural gatherings.

A brief summary to Esthers Have

  • Ravnsbjergvej 7, Hillerød, 3400, DK
  • +4593935122
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1 to 3 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

  • Time your visit for mid to late summer if you want to see the lavender and many perennials in full bloom and enjoy the strongest fragrances and colours.
  • Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes; the 2.5 km garden walk includes natural surfaces, gentle slopes and occasional uneven ground.
  • Check the garden’s own information channels in advance, as opening days are occasional and often linked to specific events or courses.
  • If visiting as a group, consider booking the barn for a talk, workshop or simple meal framed by views over the upper part of the garden.
  • Bring an extra layer even in summer; hilltop breezes around the barn can feel cooler than down among the lower beds and forest edges.
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Getting There

  • Car from central Hillerød

    Driving from central Hillerød to Esthers Have typically takes 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic. The route uses local country roads and is straightforward for standard passenger cars year‑round. There is a spacious on‑site parking area that can accommodate both cars and a full‑size coach, and parking is usually free of charge.

  • Bicycle from Hillerød area

    Cycling from central Hillerød to Esthers Have generally takes 25–40 minutes, following a mix of smaller roads and rural stretches with gentle hills. Surfaces are paved or compacted, but expect some narrow sections without dedicated cycle lanes. This option is best in daylight and dry weather; bring lights and reflective gear if returning late.

  • Regional bus plus short walk

    A practical option is to take a regional bus from Hillerød towards the Alsønderup area, which typically runs at least once per hour during the day. The ride usually takes around 15–20 minutes, followed by a country‑road walk that can add another 15–25 minutes depending on the exact stop. Standard single adult fares are often in the range of 25–40 DKK within the local zone system; check current timetables and prices before travelling.

Esthers Have location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Any Weather
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Discover more about Esthers Have

A slice of Provence in North Zealand

Esthers Have unfolds across a generous slope outside Hillerød, where fields and forest meet in classic North Zealand countryside. Conceived as a Provence‑inspired garden translated into a Danish climate, it mixes sun‑drenched lavender alleys, silvery foliage and warm tones with hardy perennials and shrubs that thrive this far north. The result is a colourful, slightly wild composition rather than a rigid show garden, with informal beds spilling onto gravel paths and lawns. At peak season the lavender sections form low purple waves, buzzing with bees and releasing a distinct, resinous fragrance as you brush past. Between them you will notice Mediterranean‑leaning details—herbs, roses and grasses—set against simple wooden structures and stone elements. The garden is large enough that you quickly lose the sense of being near a town; birdsong and wind in the trees dominate the soundscape.

A long garden walk through changing terrain

From the entrance, a signposted route of roughly 2.5 km leads you gradually upward through the entire 37,000‑square‑metre area. The path weaves between cultivated sections and more naturalistic corners, including patches of surrounding forest that have been gently incorporated into the design. An altitude difference of about 20 metres from the lowest to the highest point gives the walk a subtle sense of progression without making it strenuous for most visitors. Along the way, clearings open suddenly to reveal views over the garden and out towards the agricultural landscape beyond. Benches and simple sitting spots are placed at intervals, inviting you to slow down rather than rush from one highlight to another. The loop can comfortably be walked in 60–90 minutes at a relaxed pace, though plant enthusiasts may linger longer to study combinations and seasonal details.

The barn at the summit

At the top of the garden sits a converted barn, the social heart of the site. This well‑equipped indoor space can host up to around 50 people, making it suitable for group visits, workshops and small private events. Inside, you will typically find tables and chairs arranged for talks, tastings or simple communal meals, with large doors opening towards the garden so the connection to the landscape is never lost. The barn also provides shelter on days when North Zealand weather turns cool, wet or windy. It allows the garden to function not only as a place for solitary walks, but as a flexible venue for courses, cultural activities and themed garden days. When prearranged, food and beverages can be served here, turning a garden visit into a half‑day outing.

Courses, culture and seasonal opening

Esthers Have operates as a visit garden rather than a continuously open public park. It opens on selected days and in connection with special activities, which may include gardening courses, creative workshops, small concerts or themed cultural events. This intermittent rhythm suits the character of the place: it remains first and foremost a personal project, occasionally shared with the wider public. The programming often reflects the garden’s strengths—lavender and herb cultivation, creative planting, seasonal preservation or craft—while making use of both the barn and the outdoor rooms. For visitors, this means that no two openings feel quite the same; the atmosphere shifts with the calendar, the light and the flowering season.

Practical layout and visitor comfort

Despite its rural feel, Esthers Have is designed with logistics in mind. A large parking area at the entrance can accommodate private cars as well as a full‑size tourist coach, easing access for groups. Paths are mostly natural or gravel surfaces; they are comfortable for walking shoes but can be uneven in places, reflecting the gentle hillside terrain. Information about the garden’s structure and plantings is generally shared on site during open days or events rather than through dense signage, allowing the landscape to remain visually calm. The overall mood is unhurried and quietly scenic. You are encouraged to explore at your own pace, pause where the views speak to you most, and treat the garden as both a visual experience and a place to breathe. For travellers in North Zealand, Esthers Have offers a contrasting counterpoint to the grand formality of nearby castles: an intimate, evolving landscape shaped by a single vision, where Provence meets Danish countryside.

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