Broløkke Herregård & Restaurant 1758

An 18th‑century manor reborn on rural Langeland

Broløkke Herregård sits among fields and big skies on South Langeland, its whitewashed wings and red roofs rising gently from flat farmland. First mentioned as an estate in the 16th century, the manor took its present form in 1758, when Christiane Zumbildt had the first main wing built as a pleasure and hunting lodge rather than a working home. For more than a century it served as a seasonal retreat, a place for aristocratic summers and shoots rather than everyday life. The manor’s story is richly tangled with that of the Ahlefeldt family from nearby Tranekær. Over the centuries the estate passed between clergy, count and countess, its ownership reflecting alliances, friendships and the changing fortunes of noble houses. In 2021 a new family took over and launched an ambitious renovation, carefully restoring original features while adapting stables, barns and side buildings for modern hospitality.

Architecture with tales in every wing

The main building today is shaped by two distinct wings that meet at right angles. The older 18th‑century section carries the classical proportions of its era, with symmetrical facades, tall windows and restrained ornamentation that feels understated rather than grandiose. Inside, high ceilings, creaking floors and period details speak of a manor that has been lived in, not frozen in time. The second wing, added in 1873, has its own story. Local lore tells that it was built to appease a countess upset by her husband’s attention to a charismatic pastor’s widow. Whether fully true or not, the anecdote hints at the human dramas that once unfolded in these rooms and corridors. Around the core buildings you will find former farm wings and a large converted cowshed, which now hosts events beneath soaring timber beams and atmospheric lighting.

Dining in Restaurant 1758 and the manor bistro

At the heart of the estate is Restaurant 1758, named for the year the oldest main wing was raised. Here, Nordic cuisine leans heavily on seasonal island produce: locally landed fish, vegetables from nearby farms, game when in season, and Danish cheeses. Menus typically focus on a few well‑crafted courses, often paired with wines chosen to complement the subtle flavours rather than overpower them. For a more relaxed setting, the bistro offers classic comfort dishes with a manor‑house twist, from refined smørrebrød to warm mains suited to a day in the fresh Langeland air. Many guests linger over coffee or a digestif in one of the lounges, where upholstered chairs, fireplaces and old portraits frame views of lawns and fields beyond.

House brewery, distillery and local flavours

One of Broløkke’s distinctive features is its on‑site brewery and distillery. Here, small‑batch beers and spirits are produced on the estate, drawing on Danish brewing traditions and contemporary craft techniques. Tasting flights might include a malty lager for easy drinking, a more hop‑forward ale, or a barrel‑influenced spirit sipped slowly after dinner. The close connection between land and glass is part of the experience: grain from surrounding countryside, water from the island and a focus on careful, small‑scale production. Guests can often sample these products in the restaurant, bistro or bar, turning a meal into a broader exploration of local flavour.

Stays, slow moments and countryside calm

Beyond dining, Broløkke operates as a boutique manor‑hotel with guestrooms and holiday apartments spread across the historic buildings. Interiors typically blend contemporary Scandinavian simplicity with respectful nods to the building’s age: light tones, comfortable beds, modern bathrooms and occasional antique pieces. Some rooms look across open farmland, others towards inner courtyards and garden spaces. Outside, gravel paths, lawns and small viewpoints invite unhurried walks. The surrounding landscape is quintessentially Langeland: gently rolling, open, and dark enough at night for striking stargazing on clear evenings. Many visitors use the manor as a base to explore nearby beaches, coastal walks and small villages, returning to the estate for quiet evenings in the lounges or a final drink from the in‑house brewery.

Events, celebrations and a welcoming atmosphere

Several of the former farm buildings have been carefully converted into atmospheric halls for weddings, conferences and festive dinners. The great cowshed, in particular, retains its agricultural scale while replacing stalls and feed troughs with long tables, chandeliers and modern sound and lighting. It adds a sense of drama to larger gatherings, contrasting with the more intimate salons inside the main house. Despite its manor‑house pedigree, Broløkke positions itself as an open estate. You do not need to be staying overnight to book a meal, enjoy a drink from the brewery or simply appreciate the architecture and grounds. That mix of heritage, craft food and drink, and easy‑going island calm gives the place its character: part historic estate, part contemporary country retreat on Denmark’s gentle South Sea islands.