The Danish island of Funen (Fyn) is dotted with centuries-old castles and graceful manor houses – 123 to be exact – that were once homes to Danish nobility and wealthy landowners. Some remain private residences and working farms; others are open to visit or even sleep in. Here are three castles on the island of Funen that you can visit and live the life of a Count or Countess, if only for a while.

Egeskov Slot – The Living Castle

In 1554, Egeskov Castle was built in the middle of a lake as a defense fortress with a natural moat. The massive foundations were said to have used an entire forest of oak trees, thus the name Egeskov which means “Oak Woods.” The castle has remained in possession of a single family since 1784 and is currently the residence of Count Ahlefeldt and his family, although they happily receive the public to visit the castle grounds and even take a look inside!

The expansive grounds are set in a huge park and include historical gardens that have been recognized as some of the best in Europe. Among the old beech trees, an aerial walkway lets you get a tree-top view, or if you prefer terra firma you can find your way through the giant hedge maze. You can also become a Segway Knight of Egeskov by completing the Segway track. A former grain barn has been transformed into a large vintage car and transportation museum and more collections are housed in other outbuildings.

Visitors are welcome to visit many of the splendidly restored rooms inside the castle, including the large Banquet Hall, the refined Louis XVI furniture in the Yellow Room and the trophies in the Hunting Hall. A must-see for every young girl – or those young at heart – is Titania’s Palace, a magnificent doll house with over 3,000 parts and miniature art treasures.

Egeskov Slot is near Kværndrup and is open from April through October, with a special Christmas Market in November.

Valdemars Slot – A Castle on the Beach

Valdemars Castle was built in 1639-44 by King Christian IV for his son, Count Valdemar Christian in the idyllic South Fyn countryside. The castle suffered significant war damage soon after completion and Valdemar never moved in, as he was killed in battle in 1656. In 1678, it was deeded to Danish Naval hero Niels Juel who saved it from ruin. Valdemars Castle stayed in the same family for 12 generations and today Baron Juel-Brockdorff lives there with his family.

21 exquisite rooms of the castle home are open to visit. Guests are able to wander freely with a written guide to the sumptuous furnishings and works of art. The top floor of the main building is the Hunting and Trophy Museum and one of the castle wings holds a museum of Danish maritime history and yachting.

On the grounds, Valdemars Slot has its own church which can be used for weddings. A small garden near the church, and wide sloping lawns lead to a large lake. There is also a large mini-golf course and you can rent bikes, Segways and kayaks for day use. You can finish your castle visit with a swim at the beach with white sand and crystal clear water.

Valdemars Castle is on the small island of Tåsinge near Svendborg. It can be reached by a bridge or paddle-steamer ferry that docks at the jetty beside the beach.

Hvedholm Slot – A Castle Hotel

Unlike Egeskov and Valdemar Castles, Hvedholm Castle is no longer a residence. Since the 1400s, the building and farm had been passed down in successive generations of a single family, but in 1928, the state ordered a 40% tax on the owner’s entire wealth, effectively forcing him to sell. Unfortunately, the state was the only buyer and he didn’t even get enough to pay his taxes. The building housed a mental hospital for a while, but was eventually sold and renovated into a castle hotel in the 1990s.

This summer I had the pleasure of dining and staying at Hvedholm Slot with friends who live in Copenhagen. The castle itself is a grand three-story brick and stone building, complete with a turret and spire that provides a beautiful view of the lake and grounds. There are 45 restored guestrooms, each with different fabrics and color schemes and all with canopied beds. Guests are free to wander the 10-12 lavishly decorated public spaces that include dining rooms, a lady’s parlor, a clubby lounge and a grand staircase.

Dinner was a five course affair with wines from the castle cellar and we were treated like royalty! We took our desert on a stone patio overlooking the lake as the summer daylight finally began to fade about 10 p.m. The next morning, we enjoyed the generous Danish breakfast buffet that was included in the stay.

Hvedholm Castle can accommodate meetings of up to 150 people and is a romantic venue for weddings near the old port town of Faaborg.

For more information about Denmark or to plan a vacation there, contact a Covington Vacation Advisor today.