Picnic excursions amidst a verdant cultural landscape

As mentioned, you don’t need to travel far to enjoy a great excursion or wonderful nature experience! Here we suggest an excursion to Stora Levene, and take along a tasty picnic to enjoy in leafy Levene Äng nature reserve as well as looking around the village. 

Levene Äng (Levene meadows) is a well-preserved cultural landscape that was once an actual ancient village with a large grave field. Today the land is hay meadow that is cleared in spring, making it perfect for picnicking. The hay meadow is dotted with sturdy oaks, birch and hazel, along with occasional trees with sweet berries. It is a particularly beautiful sight in spring when the wood anemones are in bloom. As well as wood anemones, oxeye daisies, bluebells and arnica also grow here. You can find out more about Levene Äng nature reserve here. 

Buy some tasty refreshments from Conditori Lifweni along the main street that takes you through Stora Levene and on to Levene Äng. Everything at this charming 1950s café is baked using locally sourced ingredients, with a selection ranging from hearty sandwiches to cakes and biscuits. What’s more – they usually have delicious confectionery for sale. If you haven’t packed your own picnic, we recommend calling in here to stock up on goodies. You can find out more about Conditori Lifweni and its opening hours and offers here.

On your way home we’d like to put in a word for Adelåsens Gårdsbutik, which is on the outskirts of Stora Levene. You can purchase their own turkey products such as fillets, mince, cold cuts and sausages for preparing your evening meal. You can also pre-book a catering menu for parties of 6 or more. You can find out more about Adelåsen and its opening hours and offers here.

Here in Stora Levene, close to Levene Äng, you will also find Levene Gamla Prästgård. The old vicarage has been a meeting place for people for almost 200 years. It is filled with stories and memories! You can book a guided tour, take afternoon tea, enjoy a delicious bowl of soup made from locally sourced ingredients or hire it as a function room. However, in the current uncertain times the situation is a little different to normal. You can check on current info for Levene Prästgård here.

Yet more culture and history

Take time to visit Levene Church, with its two distinctive slate towers, and at the same time check out Sweden’s tallest runestone, which can be found in the neighbouring churchyard. The church was built in the 11th century and underwent various alterations in the 17th century. Levenestenen (Levene Runestone) is made of granite and stands just over four and a half metres tall.