Odense – A city of fairytale fantasy for all the family

With Denmark less than two hours flying time away, Odense, Denmark’s 4th largest city and home to one of the most famous childrens’ story writers - Han Christian Andersen, combines fairytale fantasy and medieval history with exciting modern attractions to offer an exciting family break for all the family.

With statues from Hans Christian Andersen dotted throughout the city, any visit to Odense must start at the museum dedicated to his life in the cobbled streets of old city precinct (museum.odense.dk). Designed to give an indepth impressions of the writer, as well as the world that he lived in from 1805 to 1875, parents and children can explore the collection of papercuts, colourful drawing and a comprehensive library before visiting the newly opened ‘The Fyrtoejet’ (The Tinderbox). Housing a new cultural centre, its emphasise is on providing a fun and interactive experience for children whereby they can be immersed in his fairytales through a programme of storytelling, drawing, music and dressing up (fyrtoejet.com).

To learn more about this period in history, the open air museum of Funen Village can’t be missed. In an idyllic country setting, this fascinating village has been completely recreated with half-timbered furnished buildings and rural structures from the 18th and 19th depicting life in the 1850s. Complete with farm animals, a village pond and main street, the museum also practises traditional agriculture and offers a changing schedule of events to give visitors the opportunity to be part of that history (http://museum.odense.dk/Den_Fynske_Landsby.aspx).

Consider taking the boat along Odense’s leafy waterway to Funen Village so that you can enjoy the canal and stop off at Odense Zoo along the way. A novel way of exploring several continents in one day, the zoo covers everything from South American tropical rain forest with Caribbean manatees swimming in the river, colourful coral reefs, African plains and wetland to sub-Antarctic polar regions (odensezoo.dk).

Another great attraction is the Danish Railway Museum. With its collection of locomotives and carriages spanning more than 150 years of Danish travel, it is an excellent place to enjoy some family train spotting as you take the driver's seat in a large locomotive or sit down to dine in the majestic Royal carriage. There are also buses, model railways and mini trains to keep everyone occupied for more than a few hours (jernbanemuseum.dk)

Given that Odense has more green space per head of population than any other city in Denmark, its not surprising to find that there are numerous parks and play areas especially designed for children. With facilities for babies up to 15yr olds, ‘The Children’s City is Odense’ is that largest nature playground. With a selection of farmyard animals to pat and feed and numerous picnic areas, it is a good place to take time out from a busy sightseeing schedule. Alternatively, for a touch of art, head to the ‘Design Playground’ in Munke Mose park where all the facilities are small works of art.

And if art is your interest, visit the city’s Kunsthallen Brandts (brandts.dk), an old textile mill which has been converted into galleries showing mainly contemporary Danish and international art. No need to worry about the children getting bored either as the gallery has a special sensory display for children that will keep them happily entertained as you explore the different floors.

Well-known for its festivals, a family visit to Odense is well-recommended during the weekend of the Iron Age Market in June when the city steps back about 2000 years in time and people in costume go about their business; over the Hans Christian Andersen Parade when fairytales take to the streets at the end of July for 3 weeks; and for the wonderfully colourful Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market which combines all the chattels of Christmas with fabulous fairytale fantasy from the last week of November leading up to Christmas.

Getting There

Although there are no direct flights to Odense, the city is only 90 minutes from Billund in Jutland, which has direct daily flights on Sterling from Gatwick (sterling.com). Alternatively, with Denmark’s efficient road and rail system, it is just over an hour and 15 minutes by rail from Copenhagen and with over 300 flights a week from across the UK in Copenhagen. Odense also offers a good range accommodation from camping grounds and cabins, B&B accommodation and 3 - 4 star hotels with costs from approximately £30/cabin to £90- £160 per night for a double room on a bed and breakfast basis.

For more information on Odense go to visitodense.com.

For additional information on Funen visit Visitfyn.com.

For more details on Denmark go to Visitdenmark.com.