Anne Just’s Have – a garden of tranquillity

Nestled within the dramatic landscape of north-western Jutland near the wild western sea, there is a garden like no other. It’s a peaceful place to restore the soul and reset the mind, to soak up the calm and quiet away from the tourist trail, and a beautiful art and nature experience rolled into one.

Danish painter Anne Just and her husband, renowned architect Claus Bonderup laid the foundations of the garden in 1991. Today, it has grown into a truly unique amalgamation of nature, art and architecture. Their vision was to create a living and continuously changing place, with garden ‘rooms’ offering different experiences of nature and art.

“The garden is a wonderful cultural experience,” explains Erik Kolind Nielsen, director of The Foundation for the Conservation of Anne Just’s Garden. “It is in complete contrast with its surroundings.” This part of Jutland is very busy during the high season, and whilst the garden and its boutique hotel is well-visited, the nature of the place provides a welcome antidote to the hustle and bustle of nearby Blokhus.

Foundation director Erik Kolind Nilsen welcoming visitors to the gardens.

A tonic for the soul

The foundation, devoted to the upkeep of the 7,500 square-metre sustainable garden, was set up in 2008 and a dedicated team of employees oversee the day to day running of the place. “We have very high standards for all that we do here and want to ensure a perfect and unique experience for our guests every time,” Erik says.

You can visit for a couple of hours, have a coffee and homemade kringle (a traditional Danish pastry pretzel) in the café and a walk around the garden, or you can stay a night or two in Have Hotellet, the Garden Hotel, where you have the gardens to yourself before and after the public visiting hours of 1-4pm. The pace is unrushed, allowing time for reflection and to enjoy the peace and calm of the place. It’s little wonder that visitors agree it’s like a tonic for the soul.

A stroll through the garden is akin to walking through twisty, cobbled streets. You cannot see what lies around the corner and, at each bend, an abundance of flowers and plants unfold. This creative and inspiring collaboration between nature and architecture will continue to grow as a living, breathing place of peace and tranquillity.

Web: www.annejust.dk
Facebook: Anne Justs Have – haven i Hune
Instagram: @havenihune