In the area around Tidan you find lake Östen, which is a typical floodplain lake, nutricious and shallow. It is one of the most valuable bird lakes in the country, and a very important link in the chain of resting places for migratory birds. The beautiful landscape around the lake bears evidence from thousands of years of human activity, and here you can also find several ancient monuments and cultural sights. Lake Östen, together with the rivers Tidan and Ösan, has connected large parts of north and east Skaraborg. A lot of the findings that have been made in the area indicates a very rich district. On your visit here, do not miss the ancient monuments Kung Ranes hög and Askeberga ship cumulus, or the cultural reserve Vallby Sörgården.
Ancient farm
The cultural reserve Vallby Sörgården, in Tidan, is a remnant from the old agrarian society. Here you can experience the past in the present. Sörgården is not only a well-preserved 19th century farm, but also a living cultural heritage. The reserve includes both the farmhouse and the outbuildings, and a living small-scale farming landscape.
Vallby Sörgården still looks the way many family farms looked in the 19th century. The farmhouse was renovated in 1910s, but little has changed since then. All the furnishings and equipment remain and nothing has been removed or added. The unmarried daughter of the family Tyra Johansson lived on the farm all her life. When she passed away in 1996, she was the last generation on the farm that had been handed down since the 18th century. The land is again being farmed under a seven-year cultivation cycle, as in the early 20th century, and using the cereals of that time. In summer, the hay is dried on hay racks, the rye is scythed and the oats are tied into Christmas sheaves.
The Vallby Sörgården Association keeps the farm living and organises many activities related to the work and celebrations of the old agrarian society. They organise theme days and among other things care for the buildings and household handicrafts using traditional materials and methods.
Culture historical walk
By walking the easily accessible cultural itinerary you can see the entire farm with its ancient cultural landscape. It follows the cattle trail past stone walls and Skövde’s only rune stone, through pastures, along the old road and on to the village road. The itinerary is signposted and there are free information brochures at the car park. It is a peaceful stroll back in time.