Nearby
The canal is 11 mil long. The best part starts right outside our gate.
More than 40 activities and attractions within an hour’s reach along the Strömsholm Canal, plus nineteen golf courses. You can launch your kayak at the mill, and the castle is within cycling distance.
More than 40 activities and attractions within an hour’s reach along the Strömsholm Canal, plus nineteen golf courses. You can launch your kayak at the mill, and the castle is within cycling distance.
From the mill, the canal connects the lock, the castle, and the swimming areas
The great thing about this area is that it’s not spread out. The Strömsholm Canal runs like a thread through it all, and along it, locks, swimming spots, fishing spots, and the castle line up in a row. You can bike, paddle, walk, or drive a short distance, and you can fit in several activities in a single day without ever feeling rushed.
That’s also why most people end up staying longer than they planned. A lunch turns into an afternoon, and one night turns into three.
Six categories of attractions within an hour's drive of the mill
About 8 minutes by bike
Strömsholm Hostel
Affordable and comfortable accommodations in the heart of Strömsholm, near the riding school, the castle, and Westerqwarn. There are 50 rooms and over 70 beds, many with private showers and toilets.
About 10 minutes by car
Stora Ekeby Meat
A fourth-generation farm offering organic grass-fed meat, meat boxes, and its own sausage-making facility. Here, the focus is on animal welfare, craftsmanship, and truly high-quality ingredients.
About 20 minutes by car
KUJ Railroad Museum
Railroad Museum in Köping's old harbor area, featuring steam locomotives, historic passenger cars, and the story of the unique railroad line between Köping, Uttersberg, and Riddarhyttan.
About 20 minutes by bike
The Rectory Garden
A garden center in a scenic location along the Kolbäcksån River, featuring its own nursery and an impressive selection of summer flowers, perennials, and geraniums. Open from mid-March through the end of June.
About 30 minutes by car
Miniature Kingdom
Discover Sweden in miniature, featuring well-known cities, landscapes, and landmarks from Abisko and southward. Here, trains, buses, and cars travel through a 200-square-meter model world with over 5,000 tiny residents.
About a 5-minute walk
Strömsholm Golf Club
A scenic 9-hole course with 18 tees, a driving range, and a practice area, right next to Westerqwarn. Perfect to combine with a meal or an overnight stay with us.
About 9 minutes by car
Åsby Home & Garden
An inspiring destination for anyone who loves plants, interior design, and gardening. Here you’ll find a wide selection of plants, furniture, and lifestyle products, as well as a café nestled among the greenery.
About 6 minutes by car
The Bed in the Meadow
Cozy apartments in a rural setting in Strömsholm—a great option for couples and small families looking for a peaceful place to live close to the area.
About 12 minutes by car
Bärsta Farm
A charming bed-and-breakfast on a horse farm just outside Kolbäck, offering vacation rentals, horseback riding weekends, and "Bed & Box" accommodations for guests traveling with their own horses.
About 10 minutes by bike
Thottska Villa
A historic place to stay in a beautifully renovated 1770s villa in the heart of Strömsholm, right next to Strömsholm Castle. There are 13 rooms, each with its own shower and toilet, and breakfast is included.
About a 5-minute walk
Westerqwarn's Lock Keeper's Cottage
A charming old lock keeper's house right next to the Västerkvarn lock and just a few meters from the water. A unique place to stay in the heart of the canal and mill district, with Westerqwarn just around the corner.
In the area
Westerqwarn's Parking Lot
75 campsites right on the Strömsholm Canal, with a service building and convenient self-check-in. The restaurant, mill, and activities are located right next door on the grounds. Open year-round.
About 10 minutes by bike
Slottsboden
A quaint little shop near Strömsholm Castle offering home decor, clothing, gifts, and treats. A nice place to stop during a walk or bike ride through Strömsholm.
About 10 minutes by bike
Strömsholm's Market Store
The classic “Markan” in the heart of Strömsholm, featuring a café, its own bakery, and light meals. We’ve previously organized Matmilen together with them and Hemköp in Kolbäck.
About 10 minutes by car
Åskebro Farm
A rural destination featuring a store filled with clothing, home décor, and accessories, combined with a café where almost everything is homemade and homemade baked goods. Dog-friendly both indoors and outdoors.
About 20 minutes by bike
Värpeby Berries
A rural farm store just outside Kolbäck, known for its pick-your-own strawberries. It also offers local products such as honey, jam, fruit juice, eggs, and flour.
About 5 minutes by car
The Fisherman of Borgåsund
A local fish supplier in Borgåsund that provides us with the hot-smoked salmon we serve at Westerqwarn, both during the summer and as part of our Christmas buffet.
About 12 minutes by car
Håkan's Home Bakery
A local bakery in Hallstahammar offering bread, pastries, and desserts. This is where we source, among other things, the sandwiches and sandwich cakes we serve at conferences and memorial services.
About 10 minutes by car
Åsby Meat & Game
A local business specializing in high-quality meat and game. A wonderful partnership that, among other things, supplies us with the ground meat for our Christmas meatballs and the sausage for our Christmas dinner.
About 20 minutes by car
Köping Cider Mill
A family-run, local, and organic artisanal cidery with its own apple orchard. A wonderful local partnership that, among other things, supplies us with cider for Westerqwarn.
About 13 minutes by bike
Strömsholm Days
A time-honored equestrian festival featuring international competitions in show jumping, dressage, and eventing in the unique setting around Strömsholm and Strömsholm Castle.
About 10 minutes by bike
The Stables Area at Strömsholm
One of our most popular outing suggestions. Take a stroll through the historic stable grounds at Strömsholm and experience the unique equestrian setting, the beautiful buildings, and the area’s long history.
Within an hour
Golf Courses
19 courses within 1 hour, with Strömsholms GK being the closest.
About 20 minutes by car
Köpings Museum
Follow Köping's history from ancient times to its development as an industrial city, with local stories, historical artifacts, and exhibits on figures such as Carl Wilhelm Scheele.
About 5 minutes by car
Strömsholm Castle
A royal Baroque palace dating back to the time of Gustav Vasa, with guided tours during the summer season. Strömsholm also has a historical connection to Westerqwarn that dates back to the 16th century.
About 20 minutes by car
The Automobile and Technology Museum
A nostalgic stop for car and technology enthusiasts, featuring vehicles from the 1910s onward, as well as a themed exhibition that changes every year.
Several stops in the area
The Strömsholm Horse Museum
Follow Strömsholm's unique equestrian history through nine trails that take you to various locations in the area. Listen to the audio guide via the app; the museum is open year-round.
About 10 minutes by car
Trångfors Blacksmith Shop
A historic blacksmith shop with roots dating back to 1628, an important part of Hallstahammar’s early industrial history. The current blacksmith shop dates from 1799 and is beautifully situated along the Kolbäcksån River.
About 12 minutes by car
Skantzen Canal Museum
A historic outdoor recreation area along the Strömsholm Canal, once the heart and center of the canal. Here you’ll find a canal museum, a tool museum, old canal buildings, and a working model lock.
In the area
Bergslagen Ecomuseum
Sweden’s largest museum, with 70 authentic cultural-historical sites throughout the Bergslagen region. Västerkvarn is one of them, and the Bergslagen Ecomuseum is also an important source of our own history.
About a 20-minute walk
The Wetland at Kolbäcksgropen
The Myr’n Wetland. A relatively new wetland area near Kolbäcksgropen, created to promote biodiversity and birdlife. Be sure to bring your binoculars! The wetland is located on the right-hand side, about 100 meters before the parking lot that the path leads to.
About a 20-minute walk
Lagårdssjön Viewpoint
A boardwalk-lined overlook with a beautiful view of Lake Lagårdssjön and the lakeside meadows. A great spot for birdwatching, especially in the spring and fall.
Several areas around Strömsholm
Strömsholm Nature Reserve
Hike among century-old oak trees, beach meadows, and lush deciduous forests in one of the county’s most biodiverse natural areas.
Within biking distance
Sweden by Bike
A signposted bike trail along the Strömsholm Canal, totaling 113 km through Västmanland, passing locks, industrial sites, and historic locations.
Nature Map
Find hiking trails and walking paths around Strömsholm and Kolbäck. Feel free to start by searching for Djurgårdsskogen, Jordmarken, or Kyrkbyåsen.
About 5 minutes by car
Sotebo Swimming Area
An outdoor swimming area on Lake Mälaren with a sandy beach, docks, and a diving tower, beautifully situated in the Strömsholm Nature Reserve with a view of Strömsholm Castle.
About 8 minutes by car
Borgåsund Beach
A peaceful spot by the water where you can sunbathe on the dock, take a dip, or go fishing. Södra Hamnvägen 2, Strömsholm
About a 5-minute walk
The Bridge in Mölntorp
The closest spot for a quick dip, within walking or biking distance of Westerqwarn. A simple dock by the water—not a designated swimming area.
About 10 minutes by car
Sörkvarnsforsen Sport Fishing
Fly fishing in a scenic stretch of the Kolbäcksån River, featuring rapids, ponds, and varied terrain. A fishing license is required and must be booked in advance.
About a 10-minute walk
Kolbäcksgropen
The closest fishing spot to Westerqwarn is a put-and-take lake with game fish. A fishing license is required and can be easily purchased through iFiske.
In the area
Strömsholm Canal
A historic waterway through Bergslagen, 110 km long with 26 locks. Follow the canal to enjoy boating, nature, the lock areas, and the story of the iron that once shaped the entire region.
In the area
Lakeside Adventure
Rent a canoe or SUP right at Westerqwarn. The equipment is located right next to the canal, so just hop in and head out onto the water. We recommend booking in advance during peak season.
A SUMMER DAY AT WESTERQWARN
A whole day with the mill as the starting point
Wake up by the Strömsholm Canal and start your day with a walk to the Västerkvarn lock. When it's time for lunch or a coffee break, the restaurant at Westerqwarn is right nearby.
Feel free to continue your day by bike toward Strömsholm Castle and Slottsboden, or explore one of the area’s other attractions. In the evening, you can return to the mill for dinner and end the day with a walk along the canal.
Morning
Coffee by the canal
Morning
Walk to the Västerkvarn Lock
Lunch
Lunch at Westerqwarn
Afternoon
Strömsholm Castle & Slottsboden
Evening
Dinner at the Mill
This isn't a set itinerary—just some ideas for what a day in the area might look like.
Golf
19 golf courses
From Westerqwarn, you'll find 19 golf courses within a 1-hour drive. The closest one is just about 500 meters from your campsite.
SEASON
The courses are normally open from May through September, and Strömsholms GK closes when the ground becomes too wet in the fall. The parking lot, however, is open year-round regardless. One exception: Kvicksund Golf is open year-round and 24 hours a day. When darkness falls, they switch to a lighted 6-hole loop, so you can play there even in November.
The course for golfers looking for variety
Strömsholm Golf Club is right next door. It’s a 9-hole course with 18 tees between Kolbäck and Mölntorp, featuring a driving range and practice area, and some of the holes run along Kolbäcksgropen. From there, one of the Mälardalen region’s most densely concentrated golf areas opens up: fifteen courses within forty minutes, nineteen if you take a full hour.
With Westerqwarn as your base, you’ll explore a new trail every day and return to the same spot by the canal after your hike. No need to look for a new place to camp, no new area to get to know, and the wood-burning stove will be warm when you get back.
Neighbor, in under five minutes
Strömsholm Golf Club, about 500 meters away. 9 holes with 18 tees, a driving range, practice bunkers, and a café in the clubhouse.
Within half an hour
Fullerö, Köpings GK, and Skerike are about twenty minutes away. Västerås GK and Sura GK are just a little further, both with restaurants. Torshälla GK is in the direction of Eskilstuna. Kvicksund Golf is located halfway between Västerås and Eskilstuna, offering pay-and-play without advance booking and a green fee valid for the entire day. Hälla Golf offers a course, pirate golf, and a driving range equipped with the latest technology.
Within forty minutes
Eskilstuna GK, Tortuna GK, and Arboga GK. Frösåkers GK, overlooking Lake Mälaren, is perfect for those who want a links-style course and a long lunch. Orresta Golf and Ängsö Golf are to the east; the latter is right next to Ängsö Castle.
Do you want to go further?
Sala Golf Club, with its 27-hole course to the north, Fagersta Golf Club, Enköping Golf Club, and the Gripsholm course in Strängnäs are all about an hour away.
Westerqwarn is the starting point, not the entire outing
The more you get to experience in the area, the more worthwhile your visit will be. That’s why this page exists, and why it continues to grow. If you find something that should be included, please let us know. The list is updated regularly.
Destination Strömsholm Everything about Strömsholm
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest thing to Westerqwarn?
There are four attractions within easy reach without having to drive far: Strömsholm Golf Club, one kilometer away; Lakeside Adventures kayak rentals on-site; the Västerkvarn lock along the canal; and Bryggan in Mölntorp for a swim.
Where can I go swimming?
The closest place to take a dip is at Bryggan in Mölntorp, within walking or biking distance. If you’re looking for a larger swimming area, Borgåsund and Sotbo are just a short drive or bus ride away. Sotbo has a sandy beach, piers, and a diving tower, and is located within the Strömsholm Nature Reserve with a view of the castle.
How many golf courses are there nearby?
Fifteen courses are within a 40-minute drive, and nineteen are within an hour. The closest is Strömsholms GK, a 9-hole course with 18 tees. The courses are normally open from May through September, with the exception of Kvicksund Golf, which is open year-round and features a floodlit course after dark. The campground is open year-round.
Where can I buy a fishing license?
To Kolbäcksgropen via iFiske, and Sörkvarnsforsen’s Sportfiske has its own permits. Both bodies of water are located near the campsite.
Can you paddle on the Strömsholm Canal?
Yes. Lakeside Adventure rents out canoes and SUPs right next to Westerqwarn, so you can launch right at the mill. Be sure to book in advance during peak season; opening hours vary by season.
What do people do here when it rains?
Two indoor museums within a short drive: the Car and Technology Museum in Köping, featuring vehicles from the 1910s onward, and Miniature Kingdom in Kungsör, a model railroad that depicts Sweden in miniature. The Car and Technology Museum opens for the season on May 1; Miniature Kingdom is open Friday through Sunday. Check the hours before you go.
How far is it to Västerås?
A 20-minute drive via the E18, taking the Kolbäck exit. Eskilstuna is 30 minutes in the other direction, and Köping is just over 25 minutes to the west.
It takes more than a day to see all of this
Book a table for the evening or a night by the canal, and you'll have time to do more than you expected.