Björnlunda

Ten kilometres or so west of Gnesta, by Kyrksjön lake, lies Björnlunda. About 760 people live in the village, which is set in beautiful rolling countryside of mixed farmland and woods.

Parts of Björnlunda enjoy a magnificent view out over Ekbackarna, the site of the rural community centre and youth hostel. The latter, which has only eleven beds and four rooms housed in old timber storage buildings, is one of Sweden's smallest.

Eriksgatan, the road once taken by newly crowned kings to show themselves to the populace, is today a beautiful bicycle trail that starts at the community centre.

Mäster Claes is based in Kuskvillan at Skeppsta castle outside Björnlunda. Here, there is a fantastic garden where horticultural dreams come true in colour, form and function.