Kongsgaarden in Vester Broby

Kongsgården in Vester Broby — a historic nature gem by Tystrup Lake

Nestled among the gentle hills west of Sorø, Kongsgården in Vester Broby is a nature area with deep roots in Danish cultural history. The site served as a royal farm from 1818 to 1868, and although the buildings have long since disappeared, the landscape still bears the marks of an era when the crown shaped the land here. Today, nature itself reigns supreme — with sweeping meadows, ancient broadleaf trees and one of Central Sjælland’s most peaceful river valleys.

The landscape between Tystrup Lake and the Suså River

Kongsgården sits at the transition between Tystrup Lake and the flat floodplain landscape that the Suså River has carved over millennia. From here you can follow the river valley southward, where the water winds quietly through willow thickets and reed beds. The terrain is gently undulating with a mix of open grassland and scattered tree clusters that give the landscape an almost parklike character. In spring the meadows bloom with wild orchids and cuckoo flowers, while the autumn colour display along the lakeshore ranks among the finest in Sorø Municipality.

Waterways and canoeing

For many visitors it is the access to the water that draws them here. Tystrup Lake and Bavelse Lake together form Sjælland’s largest lake system, and from the Vester Broby area you can launch a canoe or kayak and paddle into a landscape that feels almost untouched. The lakes are flanked by old-growth forest and steep slopes, and on quiet mornings the treetops mirror themselves in the surface like a painting. Tystrup-Bavelse is part of Naturpark Åmosen, and the lake system is home to pike, perch and a rich birdlife including white-tailed eagle, osprey and kingfisher.

Cultural history in the landscape

Vester Broby has been inhabited since ancient times, and in the surrounding fields and woods you can find traces from the Bronze Age and the Viking era. The royal farm itself was part of the crown estate that stretched along the Suså valley, and its location was no coincidence — the fertile floodplain and easy access to water made this one of the most valuable agricultural areas in the region. The church in Vester Broby, just a few hundred metres from the nature area, houses medieval frescoes and is well worth a visit in its own right.

Hiking and cycling in the river valley

Several of Sorø Municipality’s marked hiking trails pass through the area. From here you can walk along the Suså toward Kongskilde or follow paths over the hills toward Lynge and Broby Vesterskov. The terrain is varied enough to keep things interesting but never so demanding that it excludes anyone. Cyclists will find good opportunities on the local gravel roads connecting the villages in the river valley.

Experiences nearby

Kongsgården in Vester Broby is centrally located relative to many of Sorø Municipality’s best nature experiences. The Tystrup-Bavelse lakes offer fishing, canoeing and world-class birdwatching. To the north lies the town of Sorø with the Academy Garden and the old monastery church. Kongskilde Outdoor Centre provides nature guidance and activities for the whole family. The nearby Suserup Forest is one of Denmark’s last untouched woodlands with trees several hundred years old. Visit destinationsjaelland.dk for even more experiences in the area.