Blankenfelde: Manor House, Park and Bell Museum

Blankenfelde Manor House is at the heart of an estate complex that brings together history, parkland and a special collection. When choosing a place to stay, the location therefore appeals to a range of interests: views of a historic building, time in the landscape park and a Bell Museum housed in the restored estate buildings. The estate complex also includes a hotel.

Manor House and History

The history of the Blankenfelde estate began in the 15th century; the manor house itself was originally built in 1743. These two dates mark distinct stages: the estate’s origins predate the construction of the manor house. Visitors interested in the development of the ensemble can use this distinction in dates as a starting point for their visit. This keeps the history of the estate and the history of the building distinct, rather than combining them into a single date.

Landscape Park and Orchard

The estate complex includes orchards and an English landscape park. Romantic paths with ponds, an avenue of wind-shaped trees and balance bridges help shape the park; there is also a children’s playground. Each feature gives the outdoor area its own character. Visitors travelling with children can include the playground among the park’s designated features. The park is a distinct attraction alongside the history of the manor house and the Bell Museum.

The orchard produces fruit and berries that are used to make Blankenfelde drinks. The estate’s gardens are thus also connected with products made from the orchard’s harvest. This aspect adds the processing of fruit and berries to the story of the buildings and park features. The orchards are part of the estate complex and make the connection between the landscape and Blankenfelde drinks tangible.

Bell Museum and Visits

The estate complex also includes a Bell Museum in the restored estate buildings. Bells from around the world are displayed there. The collection offers a different focus from the history of the manor house: here, the focus is on the bells and their origins in different parts of the world. Blankenfelde can therefore be explored through both the history of the estate and a collection with an international scope.

The manor house can be visited by prior arrangement. The excursions on offer are conducted in Latvian, English, German and Russian. It is therefore important to account for the need to arrange your visit in advance. Visiting the manor house and joining one of the excursions on offer are concrete ways to explore the history of the estate; the languages listed also help you choose an option that suits you.

Hotel and Other Offerings

The hotel at Blankenfelde Manor is located in the renovated stable or coach house. The accommodation is therefore housed in a historic building within the estate complex. The Gatehouse Restaurant offers a breakfast from the manor, which is charged separately. When choosing a hotel in Blankenfelde, you can take into account both its location within the estate complex and the separately charged breakfast.

The historic servants’ quarters also have a role of their own: they are offered as an authentic setting for master cookery classes. This offering combines the historic surroundings with a culinary theme, without implying that the rooms are generally open to visitors. Together with the manor house, park, orchard and Bell Museum, they provide several distinct points of interest for a stay in Blankenfelde.

Discover more destinations: Zaļenieki, Vidusmuiža, Jelgava, Vilce, Platone, Mežciems, Valgunde.

For the wider travel overview: Jelgavas Novads.