Follo
Follo is one of three districts in the County of Akershus, Norway. It is located between Oslo and Østfold and includes the southwestern part of the county's area east of Oslo. Nearly 116 000 inhabitants are dispersed in an area of about 819 km². The region consists of the municipalities Frogn, Oppegård, Ski, Vestby, Ås, Nesodden, and Enebakk.
The regional centre of Follo is Ski, which is also the largest town in the region. The municipalities of Nesodden, Oppegård, Ås, Frogn and Vestby have a coastline to the Oslo Fjord. Many of the settlements in Follo are situated along this coastline, like Nesoddtangen, Drøbak and Son, as well as several beaches that are well frequented in the summer. In the interior there are a lot of woods and farms. During the winter there are good opportunities of skiing in Østmarka and Sørmarka, and you can go skiing on artificial snow in Drøbak and at the golf courses near the farm of Østre Greverud.
Follo is a region full of diversity. The landscape is beautiful and varied, offering plenty of recreational oppurtunities for both residents and visitors. An extensive road and public transport system minimises the distances between the coastal, agricultural and village areas.
The distances between places of special interest is also small. A wide range of activities and adventures is on offer throughout the year, and you are sure to discover something of interest to you.
Municipalities
Ski, Enebakk, Nesodden, Oppegård, Ås, Frogn and Vestby
Cities
Other destinations
Ås, Kolbotn, Oscarsborg, Son, Hvitsten & Nesodden
Understand
'Follo' is thought to derive from 'Foldin', the old name for the wider reaches of the Oslo Fjord. Follo and Oslo have always had a close relationship with each other. Husvik near Drøbak was the natural market-place up until the twelfth century, when Oslo took its place. Drøbak later became the winter and transshipment harbour for Oslo. Hølen, Son, Hvitsten and Drøbak are all small coastal towns whose history as important trading ports is still very evident.
The many discoveries of prehistoric hill forts, burial mounds and rock carvings in the areas cultivated during the Stone and Bronze Ages indicate that the Follo region has always been an attractive place to live in. Norway's largest collection of Stone Age dwellings and implements was discovered next to the Bunnefjord. These finds led to the identification of the Nøstvet culture, one of the three prehistoric cultures in Norway.
Get in
The region is one hour from Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL). By car it is a 20 minute drive from Oslo south on E6 or E18 motorways, and you are in Follo. The region at the east side of the Oslo fjord is easy to get, by car, train, bus or boat. The Oslo fjord Link is the tunnel route from Follo to Hurum and Drammen. Time saving is 20 minutes and the tunnel route is 25 km shorter than the route via Oslo. You can also see the sights in Follo by using public transport. For information on the transport network you can visit http://www.trafikanten.no or http://www.nsb.no
Get around
Artistic activity along the Oslofjord Riviera. Son, Drøbak and Hvitsten first became known as artists' colonies in the mid-nineteenth century. Wellknown Norwegian painters and writers were attracted to the Follo coast by the beautiful scenery, the fjord and the light. Edward Munch found inspiration for several of his paintings in this coastal landscape. Sigrid Undset spent many of her summers in Vestby. Wellknown artists still give Follo its distinctive character, but its towns are now more familiar as popular seaside resorts.
See
- Norsk Landbruksmuseum This museum is dedicated to contemporary agricultural history. Children's department, museum shop, café.
- Follo Museum Regional museum of Follo. The open air museum has an attractive and childfriendly location at Seiersten near Drøbak and contains both buildings and artefacts from Follo, as well as a bookshop with reading matter of local interest, a museum shop and café.
- Roald Amundsen’s home "Uranienborg" The polarexplorer lived here from 1908 to 1928. The house stands exactly as Amundsen left it when he departed on his last expedition and so gives us a good insight into his life.
- Oscarsborg Fortress Oscarsborg Fortress lies like a jewel in the Drøbak Sound. In summer, Oscarsborg is perfect for families and for those interested in nature, culture and history. Oscarsborg Fortress Museum presents the history of the place and organises guided tours. The fortifications are a central part, as is the story of the sinking of the German cruiser Blücher on 9th April 1940.
- Tregaardens Julehus The only Christmas shop in the Nordic region to open all year. Wide selection of Christmas decorations and other items. Greetings to friends are stamped with Father Christmas' own postmark at Father Christmas's Post Office.
- Ramme Gaard Farm, Hvitsten, an eco-cultural meeting place Exciting cultural programme, with concerts, festivals and exhibitions. Garden days, market days and Christmas market. Diversen Café, with home cooked food and the chance to buy the farm's organic produce.
Children
Follo provides children with excitement, games and adventure. However, it also offers walks in the forest and countryside, and swimming or fishing along the fjord or in a forest lake.
The museums in Follo also offer entertaining and educational activities relating to Norwegian culture, including separate activities for children.
- With its attractive, childfriendly location, Follo Museum is perfect for a family outing. The children can romp about as they like or feed the museum rabbits. At Ramme Gaard the young ones can try out their balance on rope bridges and climbing poles over the water.
- 1 Tusenfryd is an eldorado for the little ones. KIDS’FRYD is a separate area with attractions like Balloon Ride, Grandad’s Car, Frog Hopper, play apparatus and its own stage. TUSENFRYD WATERPARK is open from 2rd June with a children’s pool, triple slide, bathing river and beautiful sunbathing area – and water at 25 degrees!
- HurlumHeiHuset is the place for those who take their fun seriously. About 2,000 sq metres of fun, where kids and youngsters can climb, jump, slide, roller-skate and lots more. There is a private room for children’s birthday parties, whilst the adults can enjoy a good dinner in the cafe.
- At the aquarium in Drøbak there is a separate pool where children can handle the fish.
- Oscarsborg Fortress offers canons, bathing beaches, candle making and good opportunities for crab fishing. Under the fortress is a maze of passages and secret rooms, dating from the time Oscarsborg was part of the country’s defences. Here is tunnel safari arranged during summer.
Do
See http://www.visitfollo.no for more information
Eat
Sleep
Rent a cabin on the seafront: Sagakollen in Drøbak
Hotels from north to south:
Stay safe
Go next
- Oslo, the capital of Norway
- Østfold, the county to the south, to the border with Sweden
- Romerike, including the main airport of Norway, Gardermoen
