Friendly Teddy (Teddy Venlig) by Thomas Dambo
A towering scrap-wood teddy bear offering a helping hand across a stream, Friendly Teddy turns a quiet Taastrup lakeside into a playful fairytale escape.
Hidden in a patch of green on the edge of Taastrup, Friendly Teddy (Teddy Venlig) is one of Danish recycle-artist Thomas Dambo’s famed Six Forgotten Giants. Built in 2016 from scrap wood and felled local trees, the towering teddy stands by a narrow stream beside a small lake, holding out his huge arm as a playful “bridge” to help people across. It is a whimsical, free, outdoor artwork that turns a quiet fringe of Copenhagen’s suburbs into a fairytale treasure hunt stop for families, walkers and photography lovers.
A brief summary to Friendly Teddy by Thomas Dambo nr. 14.
- Hakkemosevej 6, Taastrup, 2630, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Wear sturdy shoes: the ground around the stream and lake can be uneven and muddy after rain, especially near Teddy’s outstretched arm.
- Visit in the early morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer people in your photos of the sculpture and reflections in the water.
- Bring snacks or a simple picnic, as there are no food outlets right by the sculpture; pack out all rubbish to help keep the area clean.
- Supervise children when they climb on the wooden structure and near the stream, as there are no lifeguards or railings.
- Combine your visit with other Six Forgotten Giants around western Copenhagen for a full‑day treasure hunt by bike or car.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Trash Bins
- Seating Areas
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Regional train and walk
From central Copenhagen, take an S-train on line B toward Høje Taastrup and ride for about 20–25 minutes to Taastrup Station. From the station, walking to the Hakkemose area takes around 20–30 minutes along pavements and gravel paths that are mostly flat but can be uneven near the lake. Standard single tickets within the Copenhagen zones are typically in the range of 24–36 DKK depending on your starting point. Trains run frequently throughout the day, but late-evening services are less frequent.
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Car from Copenhagen
Driving from central Copenhagen to the Hakkemosevej area usually takes 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. The route follows major roads through the western suburbs, and surface streets near the destination can be busy at weekday rush hours. Parking is generally free in nearby business and residential areas, but spaces can be limited on workdays. Fuel costs vary with vehicle size and current prices, but a return trip from the city centre is typically only a small additional expense compared with public transport for several people.
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Bicycle from western Copenhagen
For confident cyclists, reaching Friendly Teddy from western Copenhagen neighbourhoods such as Valby or Rødovre takes about 35–60 minutes, using a mix of dedicated cycle paths and local roads. The terrain is mostly flat, though wind and rain can make the ride more demanding. There is no charge to bring your own bike, but if you use a city bike scheme, expect to pay roughly 20–40 DKK for a one-hour rental period. Surfaces near the lake are unpaved, so a standard city bike is fine but narrow racing tyres may be less comfortable.
Friendly Teddy by Thomas Dambo nr. 14. location weather suitability
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Any Weather
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Friendly Teddy by Thomas Dambo nr. 14.
A gentle giant in Copenhagen’s western fringe
Friendly Teddy, or Teddy Venlig, waits in a pocket of nature near Taastrup, west of central Copenhagen, where suburbia blurs into meadows, water and low woods. At first you notice a shape between the trees, and then a huge teddy bear seems to emerge from the grass, towering above the stream with a relaxed, open posture. The setting feels deliberately modest: this is no fenced‑off sculpture park, but a quiet green space where art is folded into the everyday landscape. Built in 2016, Teddy is part of the Six Forgotten Giants project, a scattered family of enormous figures hidden around the western municipalities of Copenhagen. The project was commissioned to highlight overlooked natural areas on the city’s edge, inviting people to explore small lakes, wetlands and ridges they might otherwise pass by. Here in Høje Taastrup, Teddy turns an unassuming corner of countryside into a destination in its own right.Trash turned into towering teddy bear
Like all of Thomas Dambo’s giants, Teddy Venlig is created almost entirely from recycled materials. His body is formed from scrap wood and surplus pallets, while parts of his shaggy fur are made from offcuts of locally felled trees. Up close you can see the patchwork of planks, screws and subtle repairs, a reminder that this is both artwork and statement about reuse. The sculpture rises several metres high, with broad paws, a rounded belly and a friendly, slightly clumsy expression. Dambo’s team prefabricated the head, hands and feet in the Copenhagen workshop before assembling the giant on site with the help of local volunteers. Over time, sun and rain have weathered the wood into soft greys and browns, helping Teddy blend with the trunks and reeds around him so that he feels rooted in the landscape rather than imposed upon it.A helping hand across the water
Teddy’s most distinctive feature is his outstretched arm, angled low over the narrow stream that feeds the nearby lake. The gesture is both visual joke and practical feature: he appears to offer you a hand to cross to the opposite bank. Children love to clamber carefully along his arm and legs, while adults pause to photograph the reflected silhouette in the water or frame Teddy against big Danish skies. The stream, reeds and trees create a constantly shifting atmosphere. On bright days, the surface glitters and the giant’s wooden planes cast sharp shadows; in softer weather, mist hangs at water level and Teddy emerges slowly from the haze. Birds chatter in the shrubs, and the sound of distant traffic fades beneath wind in the grass and the trickle of water under his arm.Part of a treasure hunt of wooden giants
Teddy Venlig is one stop on a wider treasure hunt that sends explorers across the western suburbs of Copenhagen. The Six Forgotten Giants are scattered in Rødovre, Hvidovre, Vallensbæk, Ishøj, Albertslund and Høje Taastrup, linked by simple maps and poem clues. The idea is to encourage slow exploration: cycling between sites, following paths through marshes, meadows and small forests, and experiencing public art outside any formal museum setting. The giants share a common language – huge scale, rough‑hewn faces, and recycled wood – but each has a distinct personality. Teddy is perhaps the most openly welcoming, his name and posture suggesting comfort and kindness. For families, combining several giants into a day out turns the region’s patchwork of green belts, lakes and industrial edges into an open‑air storybook.Everyday nature with a playful twist
Spending time at Friendly Teddy is as much about simply being outdoors as it is about seeing a sculpture. Locals come for short walks around the lake, bring picnics on mild days, or use the spot as a pause on longer bike rides across Vestegnen. There is space to sit in the grass and watch the light change on the wood, or to let children invent games around the giant’s feet while you take photos from different angles. There is no entrance fee, ticket booth or formal visitor centre here; the sculpture is freely accessible at all hours, exposed to weather, seasons and the slow patina of time. That informality is part of its charm. Teddy Venlig turns the simple act of finding him into a small adventure, gently reminding you that art, nature and play can share the same quiet corner of the city’s edge.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Roskildekrukkerne
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Det Kongelige Palæ i Roskilde
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Sct Hans Have
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Cisterns in Søndermarken
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Frederiksberg Palace
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CWGC Krigsgrave, CWGC Graves
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Frederiksberg Gardens
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Frederiksbergmuseerne
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Møstings Hus
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The Hill House Museum
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Elefantporten
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Unmissable attractions to see
Vikingelandsbyen
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Vestskoven
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Little Tilde by Thomas Dambo - Troll #16
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Tysmosen Naturist Camping FKK
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Leafy naturist campground near Copenhagen with free-clothing ethos, seasonal pool, grassy pitches and a calm, community feel amid fields and trees.
Ishøj Dyrepark
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Free, family-friendly animal park and green oasis in Ishøj, where Highland cattle, goats and history share meadows, playgrounds and easy walking paths.
Månemor af Thomas Dambo
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Herstedhøje
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Glade Anders
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Himmelev skov
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ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art
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Hedeland Naturtrail
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Sleeping Louis by Thomas Dambo - Troll #12
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Mosede Fort
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Essential places to dine
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10.6 km
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LA RUSTICA - ROSKILDE
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Bright, casual Italian dining above the shops at Ro’s Torv, serving pizzas, pastas, brunch plates and espresso in a relaxed, modern café‑style setting.
Zhiki Sushi
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Casual, family‑run sushi inside Ro’s Torv, serving colorful rolls, all‑you‑can‑eat menus and easy takeaway for shoppers, families and locals in Roskilde.
Nira Sushi
11.0 km
Relaxed neighbourhood sushi spot in Roskilde serving fresh rolls, generous platters and Japanese-inspired favourites in a modern, low-key setting.
Det Mexicanske Bøfhus
11.3 km
Hearty Mexican‑inspired steaks and sizzling Tex‑Mex platters in a cozy, central Roskilde steakhouse on lively Algade.
Royal Indian - Roskilde
11.3 km
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Bone's Roskilde
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Røde Port Bistro
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Noahs Roskilde
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SOHO Roskilde food·lounge·music
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Østens Perle
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Burgerklubben
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Casual, central and comfort-driven, Burgerklubben Roskilde serves generous burgers and sides in a laid-back setting right on busy Algade.
Piazza Navona II
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Authentic Italian pizzas and pasta in casual Roskilde, reasonably priced and perfectly positioned for city exploration.
King Running Sushi & Wok
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Rotating sushi and wok dishes in a spacious, interactive dining experience in central Roskilde.
Burgerkilden
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Copenhagen Designer Outlet
2.1 km
Denmark’s largest outlet mall, pairing Scandinavian design with year-round discounts and easy comfort beside the City2 shopping centre in Taastrup.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen
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Bonde Boutique
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A long-standing Danish womenswear boutique inside Roskilde’s Ro’s Torv mall, blending classic Scandinavian style, modern brands and easy indoor shopping comfort.
RO's Torv
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Modern, glass-fronted shopping hub in Roskilde with Danish design, high-street brands, cafés and cinema gathered in one weather-proof urban marketplace.
Borch Copenhagen
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Devotuz
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Zizzi - Roskilde
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Zander
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Femilet
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Rud & Vester
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Vinylfreak
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Hos Simone
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
RUCbar - café & bar
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Mulligans Irish Pub
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Copé Lounge
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Georges Bodega
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Klosterkælderen
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Roskilde's premier craft beer cellar with 200+ beers and authentic Danish pub charm.
Gustav Wieds - Byens Ølbar
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Gullanden
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Vinbaren Muicon
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PAUSE
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Teatercaféen
12.3 km
Unpretentious local beer hall in Roskilde where everyday life, cheap drinks and warm conversation matter more than design or trends.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Dansebar Roskilde
11.5 km
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Garbos Roskilde
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Danseriet
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Klubhuset
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Haven - Events
16.7 km
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Afrobeat Palace Nightclub
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The Union
18.3 km
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Vela Lesbian Lgbtq+ NightClub
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KB3
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Dollhouse Striptease Nightclub
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CristalClubCopenhagen
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Dive into Copenhagen's nightlife at Cristal Club, where upscale ambiance meets electrifying music and unforgettable experiences.
Baggen
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Unique
- Casual
- Tranquil
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Rustic Designs
- Bohemian Styles
For the architecture buff
- Art & Design
- Parks & Gardens
- Viewpoints
- Landmarks
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Eco-Friendly
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Leave-No-Trace Critical
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Nature Escape
- Roadtrip Stop
- Day Trip
- Cultural Heritage
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
