At Gårdens bad, a sandy beach just under 100 metres long gives way to a grassy area; Vendelsö kvarn was once powered by water from Lycksjön flowing towards Drevviken. Water thus connects a present-day bathing spot with a historic theme of the area. There is also a wooden church inaugurated in 1967 and various opportunities to get active. If you choose Vendelsö for a stay, you can focus on the lakeside, leisure activities or local history.

Bathing spot and lakeside

Gårdens bad is in the southern part of Lake Drevviken. The small bathing spot has a sandy beach just under 100 metres long, which continues into a grassy area; the spot is especially child-friendly. Bathing conditions vary by season. At Dalenbadet, by contrast, the playground takes centre stage: it is in Vendelsö by Drevviken and has seating with views of the lake. The beach and playground therefore offer two different reasons to visit the water—sand and grass at one, seating by the play area and lake views at the other.

Outdoor activities

At Maxinge skatepark in Vendelsömalmsgropen, you can skateboard or ride a BMX bike or kick scooter. In Svartbäcken is Haninge's only free padel court that does not require advance booking. Play starts on the hour; if you plan to play padel, this is a useful fixed point for your day's schedule. Another option is the illuminated exercise trail in Vendelsö (Lyckeby), which starts at the end of Kvarnsjövägen. The skatepark, padel court and exercise trail offer different kinds of activity, from riding to exercising on a lit trail.

Church and local history

In the heart of Vendelsö, Vendelsö kyrka is an open, welcoming meeting place for everyday life. The wooden church was inaugurated in September 1967. Its architectural features include a pyramid-shaped roof, corner windows and a rose window. It thus brings together a precisely dated event and a clearly described architectural style.

A deed of purchase from 1467 mentions Vendelsö gård, or “parts of Vendelsö”, on the southern shore of Drevviken. This earlier date refers to the farm or parts of Vendelsö; 1967, by contrast, is the year the church was inaugurated. These two details provide distinct historical reference points rather than dating the same story.

Vendelsö kvarn and the water

Household accounts from 1746 to 1895 list Vendelsö kvarn as a taxable croft under the estate “Wändelsö”; land registers also record it in 1731 and 1740. Its use depended on the availability of water: the mill was used in autumn and spring. It was powered by water from Lycksjön along the watercourse towards Drevviken. The seasons and the watercourse make the mill's history a distinct way to explore local history, alongside the church's architecture and the early references to Vendelsö gård.

Plan your visit

In 2026, Svartbäckens skolmuseum is normally open on the second Sunday of each month from 1 pm to 4 pm. Check the date before travelling. Museum parking is located below Svartbäcksskolan.

In the wider region, the Vendelsö-Gudö area borders Tyresta National Park, which offers extensive nature and visitor experiences. This adds a regional perspective to the local themes without equating the park itself with any one place in Vendelsö.

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