The historical workers' settlement in the midst of lakes.

Örebro
The historical workers' settlement in the midst of lakes.
The historical workers' settlement in the midst of lakes. The historical workers' settlement in the midst of lakes.
24 Updated 17 days ago
Hello and welcome to our farm, a truly historic piece of land! (Deutsche Version folgt weiter unten!) Åboholm was already a workers' settlement in the early 18th century, where iron was mined and processed. Later, a water-powered sawmill was added. Today, some sheds, ruins and a few residential buildings remain from these early activities. But water is still the heart of the property. Åboholm borders to the east and west on a lake and has its own small reservoir in the middle. We have bought this wonderful piece of land only in 2024 and want to realize our long-cherished vision here: Over the course of the next few years, forest-, fruit- and vegetable gardens will be planted here and the houses will be filled with visitors seeking contact with nature (and themselves). We want to create a community of temporary and long-term residents who share our goals and want to live in harmony with nature. It goes without saying that we want all of this to be organic, ecological and sustainable. We can't spend the whole year in Åboholm yet, but we want to use the time to get closer to our vision step by step. We, that's Bruno and me, Noemi. We come from Switzerland and are not farmers but authors of children's books and novels. So far, we have run our own small publishing house, which was geared towards neurodivergent people (highly sensitive, autism, ADHD etc.). We realized how difficult it is for many people to cope in today's society. That's why we want to create a place that is both a recreational space and a vision factory. Reconnecting with nature through conscious planting, gathering, harvesting and cooking seems to us to be a key factor in this. As we are still in the early stages, the work involved includes gardening, but also clearing scrub from the grassland, exposing the shore areas, creating forest gardens, planting fruit trees, dividing up plots with historic wooden fences, renovating houses, etc. If the weather remains poor, we would also be grateful for help with maintenance work on the numerous buildings. We also do woodwork, as we need new doors, a bathing jetty, a sauna ... On a typical day, you will have breakfast with us at 7.30 a.m., then we will discuss what work needs to be done and how you can best contribute your skills. The morning is spent working together. At 1 p.m., we meet for lunch, which we take turns cooking. Weekends are not particularly important to us, so we continue working. In the afternoons you can simply relax and unwind or enjoy the surrounding area by swimming, hiking and biking or picking wild berries and mushrooms in the woods and playing with the water at the weirs. A canoe trail across seven lakes leads right past our property, and the national park Tiveden with its many marked hiking and walking trails is just a few kilometers away. You can also fish and catch crayfish if you like. We will enjoy all meals together and eat vegetarian food. That means no meat, but eggs and dairy products (and fish, if we manage to catch any). We can also cook vegan meals on request. We ourselves largely avoid gluten, dairy products and sugar. If you like bread or sweets, you are welcome to cook and bake in your free time – we will be happy to provide you with the ingredients. You will be accommodated in one of our guest apartments. There you will have your own cosy bedroom, and you will also have access to a kitchen and bathroom together with the other Wwoofers. While cooking and eating we enjoy talking about God, the world and any social issues, as we are interested in almost everything. In the evening we often play some games together and sometimes even sing or dance. You are in the right place with us if: - you enjoy being inspired by our enthusiasm for work and creative endeavour - you are committed to supporting our project - you are able to work independently and prudently - you enjoy pitching in where needed - it is a matter of course for you to leave your accommodation in immaculate condition You are NOT right in Åboholm if: - you are only interested in working a few hours in exchange for board and lodging - you expect routine jobs What we will offer you: - High-quality vegetarian, organic and lovingly prepared food - nice, spacious accommodation in single or double rooms - Walking trails, retreats and favourite places in nature - Kayaks, SUPs and bicycles - Inspiration and exchange - We sometimes lend our car to safe drivers to explore the wider area We prefer wwoofers who stay at least 2 weeks and have experience in the skilled trades. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hallo und herzlich willkommen auf Åboholm, einem wahrhaft historischen Stück Land! Åboholm war schon im frühen 18. Jahrhundert eine Arbeitersiedlung, wo Eisenerz gewonnen und verarbeitet wurde. Später kam ein wasserkraftbetriebenes Sägewerk dazu. Heute sind von diesen frühen Tätigkeiten noch einzelne Schuppen, Ruinen und einige Wohngebäude erhalten. Aber immer noch ist das Wasser das Herz des Anwesens. Åboholm grenzt im Osten und Westen an je einen See und in der Mitte liegt unser eigener kleiner Stausee. Wir haben dieses wunderbare Fleckchen Erde erst 2024 gekauft und wollen hier unsere langgehegte Vision verwirklichen: Im Verlauf der nächsten Jahre sollen hier Wald-, Obst- und Gemüsegärten entstehen und die Häuser mit Besucher*innen gefüllt werden, die den Kontakt zur Natur (und sich selber) suchen. Wir wollen eine Gemeinschaft aus temporären und langfristigeren Bewohner*innen schaffen, die unsere Ziele teilen und in Einklang mit der Natur leben wollen. Dass dies alles biologisch, ökologisch und nachhaltig geschehen soll, ist für uns selbstverständlich. Noch können wir nicht das ganze Jahr auf Åboholm verbringen, aber wir wollen die Zeit nutzen, um Schritt für Schritt unserer Vision näher zu kommen. Wir, das sind Bruno und Noemi aus der Schweiz. Wir sind weder Landwirte noch Handwerkerinnen, sondern Kinderbuch- und Romanautor*innen. Bisher führen wir einen eigenen kleinen Verlag, der auf neurodivergente Themen ausgerichtet ist (Hochsensitivität, Autismus, ADHS, etc.). Dabei haben wir erkannt, wie schwer es für viele Menschen ist, in der heutigen Gesellschaft zurechtzukommen. Darum wollen wir einen Ort schaffen, der zugleich Erholungsraum und Visionsschmiede sein soll. Den Bezug zur Natur mittels bewusstem Anpflanzen, Sammeln, Ernten, Kochen und Bauen wiederzufinden, scheint uns dabei ein Schlüsselfaktor. Da wir noch am Anfang stehen, sind die Arbeiten, die anfallen, außer Garten- und Renovierungsarbeit zum Beispiel auch: Entbuschung des Graslands, Freilegung der Uferzonen, Anlegen der Waldgärten, Pflanzen von Obstbäumen, Parzellierung mit historischen Holzzäunen, usw. Bei anhaltend schlechtem Wetter sind wir auch dankbar für die Mithilfe bei Instandhaltungsarbeiten an den zahlreichen Gebäuden oder der Reinigung der Gästewohnungen. Außerdem arbeiten wir viel mit Holz, denn wir brauchen neue Türen, einen Badesteg, eine Sauna und noch eine (innen und außen), ein Gewächshaus … Du wirst an einem typischen Tag um 7.30 Uhr mit uns frühstücken, dabei besprechen wir, welche Arbeiten anstehen und wie du deine Fähigkeiten am besten einbringen magst. Der Vormittag ist gemeinsame Arbeitszeit. Um 13 Uhr treffen wir uns zum gemeinsamen Mittagessen, das wir abwechselnd kochen. Wochenenden haben keine größere Bedeutung für uns, da arbeiten wir einfach weiter. Deine Nachmittage hingegen sind frei um einfach zu relaxen oder du genießt die Natur der Umgebung, gehst schwimmen, wandern, Fahrrad fahren, pflückst wilde Beeren und Pilze in den Wäldern oder spielst mit dem Wasser. Ein Kanuweg über sieben Seen führt direkt an unserem Grundstück vorbei, der Nationalpark Tiveden mit seinen vielen markierten Wander- und Spazierwegen ist nur ein paar Kilometer entfernt. Außerdem kannst du, wenn du magst, angeln und Flusskrebse fangen. Wir genießen alle Mahlzeiten gemeinsam und essen vegetarisch. Das heißt: kein Fleisch, aber Eier und Milchprodukte (und Fisch, wenn es uns gelingt, einen zu fangen). Auf Wunsch kochen wir auch vegan. Wir selbst verzichten weitgehend auf Gluten, Milchprodukte und Zucker. Wenn du gerne Brot oder Süßes magst, dann bist du herzlich eingeladen, in deiner Freizeit zu kochen und zu backen – die Zutaten dafür stellen wir dir gerne zur Verfügung. Du wirst in unserer Wwoofer*innen-WG untergebracht sein. Dort hast du ein eigenes gemütliches Schlafzimmer, und es steht dir zusammen mit den anderen auch eine Küche und ein Bad zur Verfügung. Beim Kochen und Essen sprechen wir gerne über Gott und die Welt und alle gesellschaftlichen Fragen, da wir uns für fast alles interessieren. An den Abenden spielen wir oft, manchmal singen oder tanzen wir auch zusammen oder machen Yoga und meditieren. Wenn du dabei bist, freuen wir uns, wenn nicht, ist das genauso okay. Du bist bei uns goldrichtig wenn - du dich gerne von unserer Lust am Arbeiten und kreativen Erschaffen anstecken lässt - du unser Projekt engagiert mitträgst - du in der Lage bist, selbstständig und umsichtig zu arbeiten - du gerne da anpackst, wo es nötig ist - es für dich selbstverständlich ist, dass du deine Unterkunft in einwandfreiem Zustand hinterlässt Du bist bei uns NICHT richtig wenn - es dir nur darum geht, für Kost und Logis ein paar Stunden abzuarbeiten - du Routinearbeit bevorzugst Was wir dir bieten: - hochwertiges vegetarisches, biologisches und liebevoll zubereitetes Essen - schöne, geräumige Unterkunft im Einer- oder Doppelzimmer - Spazierwege, Rückzugsorte und Lieblingsplätze in der Natur - Kajaks, SUPs und Fahrräder - Inspiration und Austausch - an sichere Fahrer*innen verleihen wir manchmal auch unser Auto, um die weitere Umgebung zu entdecken Wir bevorzugen Wwoofer*innen, die mindestens zwei Wochen bleiben und handwerkliche Fähigkeiten mitbringen!
Read more
Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Wild foraging
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Traditional crafts
Green Building
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
Holistic management
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
Former WWOOFer
5.5 Hectares | 13.6 Acres
Accommodation
4+ WWOOFers
Bedroom
Cabin / Mobile-home
Children not accepted
Pets accepted
Meals
Vegetarian
Vegan
Length of stay
1-2 weeks
3-4 weeks
Over a month
Noemi
Noemi
Member since 2024
Languages spoken: Danish, English, French, German
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100% Response time: typically within 2 days
Örebro
Hallsberg, Bus to Askersund
Feedback
Anneke
Anneke
Germany • August 2026
We had an amazing time at Åboholm and felt welcome from the very first day. Noemi and Bruno are kind and warm-hearted people who made us feel at home throughout our entire stay. During our stay, we helped with mowing the lawn, restoring greenhouse windows, removing mud from the lake, weeding, cleaning the holiday apartments, and maintaining forest paths. We learned a lot of new skills and really enjoyed getting hands-on experience with so many different tasks. We also really appreciated the many interesting conversations we shared. The wwoofer house had a wonderful atmosphere, and living together with the other volunteers was one of the highlights of our stay. The work schedule was well organized, and we usually finished around midday, leaving plenty of free time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. We went kayaking, swam in the lake, took long walks through the forest, and simply enjoyed the peaceful nature. One of our favorite memories was camping on one of the islands in the lake, and we loved picking what felt like endless amounts of wild blueberries. We are very grateful for this experience and would highly recommend this place. Thank you, Noemi and Bruno, for an unforgettable stay!
Read more
Martin
Martin
Finland • July 2026
Hallo Noêmi and Bruno, thank you that I could stay with you in Åboholm for two weeks. Your place between two lakes is very fine I liked the food and especially the dicussions I had with you and the other wwoofers. Thank you, Martin
Jaromir
Jaromir
Czechia • July 2026
Åboholm is a beautiful place that you’ll fall in love with at first sight. It’s surrounded by lakes, forests, blueberries, and wild strawberries. Bruno and Noemi welcomed us with smile and a dinner together by the fire, where we also got to know the other WWOOFers and guests. We stayed with the family in a separate, spacious house where we cooked for ourselves. We helped out in the mornings. The work was varied, including indoor tasks—repairing the house’s electrical wiring, making structural changes to the wooden building, installing plumbing for the toilet and bathroom, sorting and cleaning up materials, building a fence, and maintaining the paths around the lake… Noemi and Bruno are very kind and friendly people—cheerful, empathetic, and very hardworking. They have a strong sense of order and organization. In the afternoon, we enjoyed canoe trips on the lake, exploring the surrounding area, and visiting the nearby city of Örebro. Together with Noemi, Bruno, and other WWOOFers, we took an afternoon trip to a medieval-themed market.
Read more
Danil
Danil
Poland • July 2026
My time in Åboholm was simply awesome, the place is amazingly beautiful! My work was varied, from building a pier on the lake and mowing grass to paint and prepare windows for the green house. It's never boring in Åboholm and everyone I met during my stay was kind, open, and just great human beings :) I would highly recommend this place to everyone!
Read more
Madilyn
Madilyn
United States • June 2026
What a beautiful place! Noemi and Bruno were welcoming, and I enjoyed the family-style meal set up with them and other WWOOFers for every meal. We had some fun Midsommar activities with baking bread around a fire and singing songs :) and don’t forget the line dancing on my last night! The living situation is arranged to emphasize a nice community atmosphere for WWOOFers. While here, I did all sorts of work, from weeding to painting to renovating old furniture. Every day I learned something new, which I really enjoyed. I will say that if you’re looking for a more agricultural and solely farming-oriented WWOOF experience, this may not be the right place for you. But, notheless, you will still learn so many practical skills at Åboholm.
Read more
Isobel
Isobel
United Kingdom • April 2026
I had a really nice time staying with Noemi and Bruno for 10 days and felt very at home in their cosy wwoofer flat. The landscape around is incredible and I especially loved the afternoon i went kayaking on the lake. They are very thoughtful and caring hosts, who looked after me through some difficult setbacks including losing my luggage and having to spend a day in bed as I was running a temperature. Despite these challenges they offered me support and I always felt cared for. We also had some really fun times all talking and getting to know each other round the dinner table, eating delicious meals and playing some fun games. I especially loved our breakfast and games morning on Easter Sunday, it is a day i won't forget. This is a beautiful place that I would recommend! Thank you for such a great first wwoofing experience x
Read more