Naturdestination Skovsgaard

A historic manor reborn as a nature retreat

Naturdestination Skovsgaard occupies an old estate on southern Langeland, framed by fields, woodland and the low, open sky of the Danish archipelago. The whitewashed manor buildings, barns and courtyards tell the story of a traditional country estate, yet the focus today is firmly on nature, sustainability and outdoor life. Instead of a closed-off manor house, you step into a living landscape project where agriculture, conservation and recreation are intentionally woven together. Walking through the grounds you sense this shift in purpose everywhere: vegetable plots and market gardens, old trees left standing for biodiversity and quiet corners where grasses and wildflowers are allowed to grow high. Exhibitions housed in former farm buildings explain how the estate has changed over time and how current projects aim to restore habitats while still producing food.

Wild horses, grazing cattle and open landscapes

One of Skovsgaard’s signature experiences is meeting the free-roaming herds that help care for the landscape. Robust cattle and horses graze large enclosures of meadow, wetland and coastal grass, shaping a mosaic of short turf, thickets and open patches that favour birds, insects and wild plants. From viewpoints along the trails you can watch them moving slowly across the terrain, manes and tails lifted by the coastal breeze. Interpretive boards and simple lookouts explain how this type of grazing mimics natural processes and why it is important for biodiversity. With patience you may spot wading birds in the wetter areas, hares in the fields and raptors circling overhead. The atmosphere is spacious and quietly dramatic, especially on days when the clouds roll across the sky and the sound of the wind is the loudest thing you hear.

Hands-on nature learning for all ages

Skovsgaard puts strong emphasis on learning by doing. A nature workshop space invites families to investigate skulls, feathers, insects and plants, or to join guided activities that might include pond-dipping, simple field studies or creative projects using natural materials. Exhibitions introduce topics like coastal ecosystems, organic farming and climate-friendly everyday choices in an accessible way. Children can treat the wider area as a giant playground, balancing on logs, exploring small forest paths and testing their senses in the open air. Adults find plenty of quiet corners for observation and photography, from old orchard trees to reed-fringed ponds. Seasonal programmes often bundle activities into full nature holidays, combining daily workshops with plenty of free time outdoors.

Staying the night among fields and forest

Beyond day visits, Skovsgaard functions as a nature-based accommodation hub. You can book simple but comfortable tipi tents or wooden shelters furnished with mattresses, bedding and cosy lighting, often arranged around shared fire pits and picnic tables. Some stays include access to a common kitchen space in one of the farm buildings, complete with standard ovens, fridges and basic equipment, turning mealtimes into relaxed, communal affairs. There are also more classic holiday homes on or near the estate, including options overlooking grazing areas where cattle and horses wander past at a distance. Many packages bundle breakfast from the on-site café and ingredients for self-cooked dinners, highlighting seasonal, organic produce. The feeling is closer to an organised nature camp than a conventional hotel stay, with emphasis on simplicity, time together and long hours outside.

Café flavours and slow island atmosphere

At the heart of the estate a small café and brasserie-style kitchen serves dishes built around organic, locally sourced ingredients. Menus change with the seasons, but you can expect hearty soups, fresh salads, home-baked cakes and simple mains that reflect both the farm’s own production and the wider island larder. Eating here connects the dots between the fields you walk through and the food on your plate. The overall rhythm of a visit is slow and spacious. Days stretch between walks on the trails, time lingering by the play areas or gardens, unhurried meals and quiet evenings watching the light fade over the surrounding countryside. Combined with Langeland’s nearby beaches and coastal views, Skovsgaard becomes a base where beach holiday, farm stay and nature retreat blend into one laid-back experience.