Barkelsby lies in the rolling landscape of Schwansen. Fields of flowering rapeseed and grain shape the village’s appearance, particularly in spring; the area’s highest elevations rise above them. The landscape is also marked by historic manor estates and the protected area around Hemmelmarker See. This gives you a choice of different focuses for your stay: landscape, nature by the lake, or architectural history.
Landscape and Nature at Hemmelmarker See
The 159-hectare Hemmelmarker See FFH area lies mostly within the municipality of Barkelsby and in the Schwansen landscape. It is a former arm of the sea that has been preserved as a coastal lake. Its landscape features include sandy and gravelly beaches, as well as stretches of steep coastline. The Baltic Sea section of the area lies outside Barkelsby.
People swim, ride horses, and walk along the beach areas. Seasonal conditions and access restrictions can change; check the current conditions before visiting. Birdlife also varies by season: little ringed plovers and sand martins breed in the area at certain times, while migratory and wintering birds use it as a resting and feeding ground. The little ringed plover also has regional Red List status. Beach activities and birdlife reflect different aspects of Hemmelmarker See: activity along the shore takes place within a habitat that is also protected.
Manor Estates and Architectural History
An associated local history museum is located at Gut Hohenstein. The historic estate includes a manor house, a former thatched-roof dairy, and former farm buildings. These buildings preserve the character of rural life in the past and form part of the estate’s heritage. The estate is privately managed; access arrangements for individual buildings may vary. If you are planning a visit, check the arrangements for the specific place you intend to visit.
The former manor house at Gut Hemmelmark was built in 1903/04 in the English country house style; two thatched-roof estate barns date from the 18th century. The different dates make it possible to compare the manor house from the early 20th century with the much older barns. Hohenstein adds another perspective, with a local history museum, a former dairy, and farm buildings that preserve the character of rural life in the past. The two estates thus highlight different aspects of architectural history.
Within the wider travel destination of Rendsburg-Eckernförde
Rendsburg-Eckernförde district has 55 kilometers of Baltic Sea coastline and a 1,000-kilometer signposted cycling network. The district is also home to four nature parks; the 180-kilometer Nature Park Trail passes through all four. The 98-meter-high Aschberg is another part of the regional landscape: in fine weather, it offers panoramic views reaching as far as the Kiel Canal, Eckernförde Bay, and the state capital of Kiel. These details broaden the view to the wider travel destination, while the manor estates and Hemmelmarker See area described here give Barkelsby its own distinct character.
Discover more destinations: Dörphof, Groß Vollstedt, Rickert, Owschlag, Bordesholm, Bokel, Osterby, Haby.
Back to the wider travel overview: Rendsburg-Eckernförde.
