Nature is always close by in Finland – so a traveller should leave the hustle and bustle of a city behind every now and then, and get one’s batteries charged in nature. Just a stone’s throw away from Helsinki city centre, beside the sea and in the middle of wilderness, is a unique place. A place where you can find inspiration and new ideas, but where you can also calm down and forget the daily worries. It’s reached easily by the car but you can also take a bus or cycle there.
Protected nature in the middle of metropolitan area
Our urban nature destination is a green and lush seashore area in Laajalahti, Espoo. Laajalahti nature reserve is also known internationally as an important bird wetland area. Many species of rare birds nest here as well as use it as a stopover. These 190 hectares of shoreland groves and meadows have other species too. You can bump into a grazing herd of cattle! They help to maintain the landscape.
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- Picture: Ulla Kaske
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- Picture: ew
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- Picture: Ulla Kaske
Meet an artist and try the traditional handcrafts
On the north shore of Laajalahti bay is Tarvo Island. It used to be home for fishermen once but now there are only two villas from 1920’s. Textile designer Ritu Kokkola lives in one of them and we take you to meet her in her villa. Finnish nature is full of special materials to be used as raw materials for handicrafts. Traditional working methods have been transferred from one generation to next. Ritu Kokkola uses for example nettles, fish skin, lamb’s wool and many local plants for her unique handicrafts. Her villa is also a centre for organising different courses. We can tan fish skins, dye with plant dyes or print fabrics with natural dyes.
You can also visit Ritu’s drapery shop. You can buy ecological fabrics and products which are designed by her. Ideas and inspirations for these come from nature.
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- Picture: ew
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- Picture: Ritu Kokkola
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- Picture: Ritu Kokkola
Tarvaspää is always enchanting
Finland’s national artist Akseli Gallén-Kallela was also inspired by Laajalahti’s coastal environment. He ended up building his dream atelier there in 1913. Today the Tarvaspää atelier is a museum and open to visitors all year round. Next to the museum is a cosy café that used to be Gallen-Kallela’s family home before the atelier was transformed into home in 1927.
The original peat-roofed smoke-sauna is still there beside the sea and it’s possible to bathe there at the events organised by the museum and The Finnish Sauna Society.
Urban nature-themed group programmes to Tarvo Island and Laajalahti nature reserve is our new local experience product. Could this be suitable to your group? Contact us and we will happily provide more information!
