As part of our feature on Climate Smart Holidays in West Sweden, Sarah Baxter took the train from the UK to West Sweden in September to visits five low carbon places to stay. Here is the first place she visited: Erikson Cottage
In a nutshell:
A tranquil glass cabin in south Västergötland. The owners run their own onsite bakery and offer fabulous breakfasts (at your cabin or at the farm bakery) and candlelit dinners at the farm bakery
Rooms: 2 glass cabins, one in the woods the other by a lake
Price: 2-night package from 7,200 Swedish Krona for two people, includes two breakfast and dinner plus use of kayak and SUP.
Meals: Two Breakfasts (either at the Farm Bakery or in by basket delivered to your Glass Cabin) and Two Dinners
Open: 1 May-15 October Carbon count: One night at Erikson Cottage creates around 0.3kg CO2-equivalent per person (the carbon emissions at an average hotel in Sweden is approximately 6.8kg CO2-equivalent per person)
Erikson Eco Cottage, showing the glass houses, sauna, meals (delivered by electric bike), night sky and the interior of the beautiful traditional cottage. Photos: Richard Hammond
Sarah's insight:
Elisabeth Erikson worked the dough for tomorrow’s cinnamon buns as we chatted in her farmhouse bakery; soothing music played, candles flickered. “Before people come to stay here, they ask: what activities can we do?,” she told me, kneading away. “But then they arrive. And do nothing. They read, lie in bed, read some more, drink coffee.” I took a slurp myself – a rich brew served in the perfect mug, handmade by a local ceramicist. “They just enjoy slowing down.”
I’d only been at Erikson Cottage for a few hours and could already feel the place dialling down my speedometer. At this trio of glasshouses in the calming forests of Västergötland, it would seem rude to rush.
My home for the night was Skogen, a glass cabin hidden in a glade of pine, fir, blueberry bushes, mushrooms and, unquestionably, magic. Completely off-grid, with separate toilet and kitchen huts, and no electricity, the site rests gently yet luxuriously on this fourth-generation farm.
There was a shower I could use near the (solar-powered) main buildings, but the following morning I opted to use Lake Lagmanshagasjön instead. From the jetty I slipped into its brilliantly brisk water, startling a heron. Back at my private enclave, breakfast was delivered by electric van: a full basket, including local Lillebacke cheese, blueberry marmalade, sliced apples and plums, and Elisabeth’s sourdough rolls, baked using organic heritage grains. I ate well and considered what to do next: borrow a kayak or SUP? Forage for chanterelles? Take a stroll through the woods? Or just curl up back in bed with my book…?
How to get to Erikson cottage
By train: Less than two hours from Gothenburg – the "Coast to Coast" train (which runs from Gothenburg to Kalmar/Karlskrona) stops at Limmared and Hestra where you can be picked up by electric car (by arrangement with the owners) - it's about 20 minutes from the railway station to Erikson Cottage.
By electric car: it's about 120 km (just over an hour and a half) from Gothenburg. There's a solar energy/green electric charge point on site.
More information: Book a stay at Erikson Cottage: eriksoncottage.com
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