Hollufgård Slotspark

Historic manor grounds in a green pocket of Odense

Hollufgård Slotspark spreads out around an old Danish manor on the southeastern outskirts of Odense, where cultivated parkland gradually gives way to woods and open fields. The estate dates back several centuries, and you sense that layered history in the long tree-lined avenues, the remnants of formal gardens and the rural buildings gathered around the main house. While the manor itself is not the focus for most visitors, it lends a stately backdrop to the surrounding landscape. Paths weave between gently rolling lawns, clusters of mature trees and a small stream that cuts through the grounds. The atmosphere is quietly rural despite being only a few kilometres from the city, making the park a favourite place to step away from traffic and apartment blocks without leaving Odense behind.

Art in the landscape: Hollufgård sculpture park

Today, one of the park’s defining features is its outdoor sculpture park, run in connection with the Hollufgård artist residence. Contemporary works in stone, metal, wood and mixed media are scattered through the old manor park and the adjacent forest of Glisholm, turning a simple walk into an open-air gallery visit. Some pieces are monumental and immediately eye-catching; others hide between trees or along the water, revealing themselves only when you take a slower look. The artworks change over time as new projects are installed and older works are moved or weathered by the seasons. Because the sculptures sit directly in the landscape, you see them differently in spring light, on a misty autumn morning or against winter snow. It is an easy place to introduce children to art, since nothing is behind glass and the mood stays informal and playful.

Woodland trails, meadows and quiet corners

Beyond the manicured areas near the manor, trails lead into denser forest where you walk under tall trees and hear more birds than cars. These paths range from broad gravel routes suitable for buggies and casual walkers to narrower earth tracks that feel more like a countryside ramble. The adjacent protected forest area preserves a slice of Funen nature with undergrowth, fallen trunks and seasonal wildflowers. Open meadows offer wide views and pockets of sunshine, good for laying out a blanket or watching children run between the trees. You can bring a simple picnic and find a spot by the creek, near one of the sculptures or on the edges of the forest where long grass and scattered oaks create a classic Danish park scene.

An active hub for artists and creativity

On one side of the park, the Hollufgård artist residence occupies former estate buildings, providing studios and accommodation for Danish and international artists. While the working spaces themselves are not a typical sightseeing stop, their presence gives the park an underlying sense of experimentation and creativity. Many sculptures begin life in these workshops before finding a place in the surrounding landscape. Knowing that the artworks come from an active community of sculptors, painters and other creatives lends extra interest when you wander the grounds. The manor environment, with its old farm sheds and courtyards, has been subtly repurposed to support this artistic life while still retaining its rural character.

Everyday recreation for locals and visitors

Hollufgård Slotspark functions as a versatile green space for the wider Odense area. Locals come to walk dogs, jog laps through the woods or cycle in from the city along relatively flat suburban routes. Families gravitate to the lawns and small play areas, using the park for low-key outings that mix nature, fresh air and the occasional sculpture hunt. Because entrance is free and the grounds are open all year, you can drop by for anything from a brief stroll to a half-day wander linking several loops of trail. In summer, the park feels bright and leafy; in winter, the bare trees draw more attention to the shapes of the art. At any time of year, the combination of historic estate, evolving sculpture park and accessible nature makes Hollufgård a gentle but rewarding stop on a visit to Odense.