Levende Landsby in Vesterbølle – experience life in days gone by

Step back in time and discover what rural life was like more than 100 years ago. In the historic village of Vesterbølle, the whole family can explore old buildings, horse-drawn carriages, farming equipment and fascinating stories from the past.

Visit Levende Landsby in Vesterbølle and get a glimpse of traditional country life. Explore the historical collections, admire the many old horse-drawn carriages and discover a beautifully restored royal landau carriage dating back to 1897.

You can also visit the historic Hougaarden museum farm, furnished to reflect what life might have looked like around 1925. Here, you can discover the everyday life of a farming family and explore a replica of Vesterbølle's old village blacksmith's workshop.

An enjoyable and educational experience for children, parents and grandparents alike.

Opening hours and experiences

Visit Levende Landsby – May to September

From 1 May to 1 September, Levende Landsby is open to visitors every Wednesday from 10 am to 2 pm. Explore the association's historical collections and old buildings.

Levende Landsby – first weekend in August

Every year, on the first full weekend in August, Vesterbølle truly comes to life during the large historical event Levende Landsby.

The entire village is transformed into a living historical setting, where modern vehicles make way for horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians. Look forward to experiences including:

Traditional harvesting and historical performances
School lessons as they were taught in the old days
Horse-drawn carriage rides
Traditional crafts and fascinating demonstrations
Plenty of living history for the whole family

Christmas market – second Saturday in November

As Christmas approaches, Levende Landsby invites visitors to a festive Christmas market in Vesterbølle on the second Saturday in November.

Guided tours for groups

Groups of at least 10 people can book a guided tour of the association's historical collections. Food and drinks can also be arranged in connection with the visit.

The history of Levende Landsby

The story began in 1971, when local teacher Karl Nielsen from Vesterbølle took the initiative to establish the association Levende Landsbykultur i Vesthimmerland. In 1973, the association purchased a barn and a machinery building to store historical agricultural machinery and equipment.

From 1971 to 2004, the association organised the event Gammeldags høst på Hessel (Traditional Harvest at Hessel). In 2005, the harvest celebrations were moved to Vesterbølle, where the annual Levende Landsby event has taken place ever since.

Vesterbølle is a very special village. It is one of the few villages in Denmark where the farms were not relocated to the surrounding fields during the agricultural reforms. As a result, the historic farm buildings remain clustered together in the heart of the village. In 2003, Vesterbølle was designated a village of cultural and historical significance worthy of preservation.

In 2022, the association took over the historic Hougaarden museum farm, which can trace its history all the way back to 1406, when it was owned by Queen Margaret I. Thanks to funding from foundations and the dedication of numerous volunteers, the farm has been restored and furnished to offer visitors an authentic glimpse into rural life around 1925.

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