Stora Sundby combines castle history with specific outdoor features: historical traces in the park, a rose garden, a wildlife enclosure and trails with different focuses. Visitors choosing Stora Sundby for a stay can decide for themselves how to balance culture and nature, rather than having to follow a set itinerary. For planning, it is helpful to understand the different periods represented in the castle’s history and the distinction between the local exercise trail and the Hjälmarleden.

Castle History Across Several Periods

Stora Sundby is a unique castle landscape dating from the 1840s, with medieval origins. The present-day appearance of Stora Sundby Slott took shape in 1848. The old castle ruins in the park are first mentioned in the 14th century. These dates refer to different things: the medieval origins relate to the castle landscape, 1848 to its present-day appearance, and the 14th century to the first mention of the ruins.

The Sö 88 runestone also stands on a hill in the park. It is another historical landmark alongside the castle and castle ruins. Västermo kyrka in Stora Sundby dates back to the 12th century. This adds a distinct history of church construction, with a different point of reference in time, to the story of the castle. The church’s origins in the 12th century predate the first mention of the castle ruins in the 14th century; these dates relate to different buildings.

Park, Wildlife and Exercise

The park at Stora Sundby Slott has a rose garden. The wildlife enclosure is home to fallow deer and mouflon sheep. The gardens and enclosure complement the park’s historical features with specific connections to gardening and nature. The “Stora Sundby motionsspår” exercise trail starts at the entrance road to Stora Sundby Slott and has an easy-to-walk surface. Alongside the gardens and wildlife, exercise is another distinct option.

Café, Picnics and the Hjälmarleden

Stora Sundby Slott offers views across Lake Hjälmaren. The castle café is housed in a former orangery on the estate and offers views of the lake and castle. The café operates seasonally and opening arrangements may change; check in advance whether it will be open during your visit. At the Slottscafé, you can rent a picnic basket and enjoy it in the park, by the shore of Lake Hjälmaren or in the oak park.

The Hjälmarleden circles Lake Hjälmaren and is about 299 km long; Stora Sundby Slott is a historic stop along the route. The Hjälmarleden is currently under development as a cycling and walking trail, and the route alignments provided are suggestions. Check route conditions before setting out. For planning, it is clearly different from the Stora Sundby motionsspår: the exercise trail is defined by its starting point at the castle entrance road and its easy-to-walk surface, while the Hjälmarleden is defined by the circuit around the lake and its still-proposed route.

Discover more destinations: Eskilstuna, Kvicksund, Näshulta, Ärla, Västra Näshulta

Go to the main travel overview: Eskilstuna.