The Location
A place to discover and explore
Behind the mill lies the Strömsholm Canal, the outdoor dining area, and the old buildings. Westerqwarn in Kolbäck, 20 minutes from Västerås and about 1.5 hours from Stockholm.
Behind the mill lies the Strömsholm Canal, the outdoor dining area, and the old buildings. Westerqwarn in Kolbäck, 20 minutes from Västerås and about 1.5 hours from Stockholm.
Turn in, and you’ll suddenly find yourself in what feels like your own little world. The pace slows down just as you park. Here, history, nature, good food, and experiences come together, and it’s perfectly fine to linger long after your coffee is gone.
First you see the mill, then the area opens up toward the canal
From the road, you can see a turnoff and a bit of a roof peeking out among the trees. Then the gravel road begins, with hedgerows running along the side, and the buildings appear one by one. First, the mill. The canal comes shortly after.
That’s roughly where most people slow down. The area is open and low-lying, and when you stand in the middle of it, the mill, the restaurant, the outdoor seating area, and the water come together to form a whole that you couldn’t see from the road. It’s a bit like discovering a place you didn’t know existed.
At the mill, time is measured in seasons, not in minutes
The Strömsholm Canal runs by just outside, and right next to the mill stands the power plant from 1915, with its magnificent brick facade and large arched windows. That’s the building you see in front of you—not the traffic. The lock operation takes place on the other side of the power plant and is a little excursion in itself for anyone who wants to see it. In the spring, you can hear the birds singing before you’ve even gotten out of the car. In the fall, the sound of the water is more distinct.
Guests drive all the way here just to sit quietly by the canal
Most people have driven a ways to get here. From Västerås, it takes about 20 minutes; from Eskilstuna, 30 minutes; and from Stockholm, about 1.5 hours. The reason is strikingly often the same: it’s peaceful here in a way you can’t just order online.
You can tell by how long people stay. One cup of coffee turns into two. Dessert is ordered because no one wants to get up, and by the time the check arrives, an hour has passed that no one had planned on spending here.
What Guests Say
Summer Evenings
On late summer evenings, people linger at the outdoor dining area long after their plates have been cleared away
The sun sets over the canal, and no one gets up. The tables are filled with people who finished their orders long ago but are still sitting there—a glass of wine, a dessert, the brick facade across the way darkening along with the sky. The pace slows down a bit every half hour. On concert nights, the music can be heard throughout the entire area.
When there isn't a concert, you can hear the water and people talking. That's when the place feels most alive, and that's also when it's hardest to leave.
Christmas
In December, the mill area takes on a new look and becomes almost a different destination
String lights on the buildings, fir trees on the grounds, frost on the fences. You can smell mulled wine and a wood fire before you even reach the door, and inside, it’s warm in the way that only old houses with a cozy fire can be.
Summer visitors and Christmas visitors rarely describe the same place. It’s almost like two different destinations at the same address, and both will be back next year.
From here, you can learn more about the history, the surrounding area, and everything happening on site
This is the starting point. From here, you’ll move on to what you came here for—and hopefully to something you didn’t even know you came here for.
The History of the Mill
Six Hundred Years at the Rapids: From the First Mill to the Last Batch of Flour in 1974.
The History of the Mill
Six Hundred Years at the Rapids: From the First Mill to the Last Batch of Flour in 1974.
Motorhome Area
Wake up by the canal with the wood-burning stove within walking distance. Open year-round.
Food & Drink
Sourdough from the wood-fired oven and this week's lunch. Wed–Sun, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Celebrate & Get Together
A party, kickoff event, and memorial service at the mill building.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get here?
20 minutes from Västerås along the E18; take the exit at Kolbäck, 30 minutes from Eskilstuna, about 1.5 hours from Stockholm. The train goes to Kolbäck Station on the Mälarbanan line, then it’s a five-minute taxi ride. Parking is free, and there’s usually plenty of space.
Is it open year-round?
Yes. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; the parking lot is open year-round. Special hours apply during the Christmas buffet season in November and December.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, dogs are welcome. Leashes are required on the premises, and the path along the canal is flat and long if you’d like to take a walk before dinner. If you have any questions before your visit, feel free to call 0220-406 88.
What can you do during a visit?
Lunch from the wood-fired oven, a walk along the canal, and a 12-hole adventure golf course can easily be fit into an afternoon. If you’d like more options to choose from, you’ll find the full list on the activities page.
When is the best time of year to visit here?
Two times of year really stand out. Late summer evenings when the sun sets over the canal and people linger at the outdoor cafes, and December when the whole area is lit up and the air is filled with the scent of mulled wine.
Come on in. Qwarnen will take care of the rest.
Book a table, and one will be reserved for you when you arrive; and if you want to stay overnight, the campground will take care of the rest.