Things to do in The Lake District
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Silkeborg Museum
Silkeborg Museum is housed in the oldest building in Silkeborg (dating back to 1767). Speaking of old, inside the museum you can check out the amazingly well-preserved body of the Tollund Man, the central (albeit leathery) star in an otherwise predictable collection. Like the Grauballe Man at the Moesgård Museum outside Århus, the life (and death) of the Tollund Man remains a mystery. His intact remains were found around the outskirts of Silkeborg in 1950, and have been carbon dated to around 220 BC. The autopsy suggests he had been hanged, yet he was placed as though lying asleep with only a leather hat over his face and a thin leather noose around his neck. Was he an ex…
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Hjejlen
The Hjejlen, the world’s oldest operating paddle steamer, has been faithfully plying the waters of the Lake District since it was first launched in 1861. These days the boat shuttles tourists from Silkeborg to the foot of Himmelbjerget during the summer season (10am and 2pm daily, July to mid-August). The operators have other boats regularly plying the same route during this period, and from May to September. The route (adult one way/return 75/105kr, 1¼ hours) takes in a wealth of river and lake scenery and is one of the most popular outings in the Lake District.
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Brygger Bauers Grotter
Follow the candlelit passageway for a fine-dining experience inside ‘cave rooms’ that date back more than 100 years. Service is polished and the menu is nicely upmarket, with traditional touches – we’re talking venison with redcurrant sauce and mushroom roulade, or maybe fried plaice. There’s an excellent beer and wine selection, including local boutique brews. Lunch is considerably more casual. You can also enter from Domkirkestræde, behind the cathedral.
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Silkeborg Kunstmusem
If you like modern art or, more specifically, modern art by world-renowned Dane (and Silkeborg native) Asger Jorn, you’ll love Silkeborg Kunstmusem. Jorn’s abstract works provide the backbone to the museum’s paintings and sculptures, though the collection also features works by other modern artists, including Max Ernst, Le Corbusier and Danish artists from the influential CoBrA group. The museum is 1km south of the town centre.
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Aqua
Situated 2km south of the town centre is Aqua, an entertaining aquarium and exhibition centre built into several outdoor lakes. It explores the ecosystems of the surrounding area, with lots of touch tanks and fishy creatures, otters and fishing birds among the imaginative displays. It’s a little pricey, but it’s good on a rainy day. Closing times vary from 4pm to 6pm.
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Viborg Domkirke
The striking, twin-towered Viborg Domkirke is equally impressive inside and out, with exquisite frescoes by Joakim Skovgaard evocatively portraying the story of the Protestant bible. In 1876 the cathedral was almost entirely rebuilt, becoming the largest granite church in Scandinavia, an enduring claim to fame. The crypt is all that survives from its birth date, 1100.
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Margrethe I
Jump on board a one-hour cruise on the Margrethe I in summer and soak up the sun – and Viborg – from out on the lake. There are additional tours from late June; the boat departs from outside Golf Salonen on Randersvej. From mid-May to late September, you can also rent canoes and rowboats here for lake exploration (45/70r for 30/60 minutes).
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Family Tour
As the name suggests, the five-day Family Tour is ideal for kids. It takes you along a route from Tørring north to Silkeborg, staying in camping grounds where your tent is pre-erected for you. Tents and cooking gear are all sorted – you just need to bring a sleeping bag and mattress, and food. The Family Tour is only available from mid-June.
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Restaurant Gastronomisk Institut
The grand name (Gastronomy Institute) creates high expectations, but this place lives up to them – and the prices are excellent for the quality on offer, especially the two-course lunch (105kr) and four-course dinner (305kr). The changing menu features creative dishes made from fine local produce; evening bookings are recommended.
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Café 1.Række
The name means first row, and (appropriately enough) this large modern space is part of the Jysk Musik & Teaterhus. There’s a great waterside terrace, while inside smartly dressed tables and plenty of plant life accompany a crowd-pleasing menu of sandwiches, seafood and pasta.
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Natalies Ristorante
In among the family restaurants, cinema and café-bars of Papirfabrikken is Natalies, wooing a mixed crowd with a large, good-value menu of Italian and Mexican staples (pizza, pasta, burritos and tacos). It’s a fairly generic place, with the better views outside.
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Café Humlechok
With a well-stocked bar, a classic menu of café fare, wallet-friendly prices (most meals under 100kr) and occasional live music, it’s no surprise this café-bar draws a hip local crowd. Fab brunch options (served until 1.30pm) will kick-start your day.
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Ry Kanofart
- Ry, Denmark
- Activities › Other
If you want to explore the surrounding lakes and rivers, Ry Kanofart has canoes for hire, costing 75/300kr per hour/day. Similarly to the operators in Silkeborg, the staff here can help you plan lengthy river trips on the Gudenå.
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Øm Kloster Museum
From Gammel Rye it’s another 4km to reach Øm Kloster Museum. Øm is the ruins of a medieval monastery, where glass-topped tombs reveal the 750-year-old bones of Bishop Elafsen of Århus and many of his abbots.
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Café Morville
One of those chic all-day cafés that seem compulsory in Danish towns. You can park yourself on the leather banquettes for a mid-morning coffee or late-night drink and everything in between, from brunch plates to burgers.
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Skovgaard Museet
Skovgaard Museet is just outside the cathedral and highlights further work of cathedral-artist Joakim Skovgaard, among other artists and changing exhibitions.
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Ry Cykel
- Ry, Denmark
- Activities › Other
Ry Cykel is 1.5km east of the train station, towards Skanderborg. Bikes can be rented for 75kr per day.
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Boes Kaffestue
In peak summer and on weekends the gorgeous Boes Kaffestue is open for meals and drinks from lunchtime.
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Babettes Brød
Babettes Brød, a bakery opposite the train station, is a good place to start.
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