In between Skara and Skövde you find Varnhem which is a popular destination. The location is part of an ancient cultural area that has been cultivated and inhabited for thousands of years. In the scenic environment around the church and monastery ruins, you can take advantage of a great story. The surrounding area a fairytale meadow flora thrives, and in the garden next to the church, you can find medicinal plants from the medieval times. Close to the monestary church, archeologists have found the ruins from one of Sweden’s oldest churches – built already during the Viking era! The exciting findings that have been made have led to the history of Västergötland being partially rewritten.
Ökull was a royal demesne (estate) in the Middle Ages. On this estate lived the king’s local representative, and the king and his followers would ride here. In the 16th century Ökull was transformed into a village, which 300 years later was merged into one large farm. The land around Borregården probably belonged to Varnhem Monastery before it passed into private ownership.
In the nature reserve you can find limestone water meadows, rich fens, natural pasturage and broadleaved forest. Here you also find a variety of fungi, mosses and vascular plants. In the lakes there are Charophyceae (green algae) that require clear water. The most pronounced ridge in this kame landscape is called Getaryggen (the Goat’s Back) and can be followed some five kilometres northwards.