History

Discover the Bårdshaug Herregård, which was once the marvelous manor home for the prominent Norwegian Christian Thams.

Bårdshaug Herregård was constructed during the historic reign of the United Kingdom’s famed Queen Victoria, who sat on the British throne from 1837 to 1901.

Originally a parsonage, Bårdshaug Herregård was purchased by architect, consul, and businessman Christian Thams in the 1890s. Known as a founding member of designing and exporting log buildings, Thams translated his work into rebuilding and renovating Bårdshaug Herregård to become a distinctive manor home. He was responsible for designing homes for many cultural luminaries including Brigitte Bardot, King Leopold of Belgium, and Eiffel Tower-designer Gustav Eiffel.

Thoughtfully designed and decorated, Bårdshaug Herregård incorporated Christian Thams' interests and hobbies, including a dining room adorned with intricate wooden carvings, a game hunting themed library, a technologically advanced bathroom showcasing a water thermometer, and a bridal suite featuring King Louis furnishings from 1780. The estate became a popular guesthouse with noble visitors including Oscar II of Sweden, The Prince of Monaco, King Leopold of Belgium and Norway's own King Olav V.

After a series of legal problems, Christian Thams fled for Paris and never returned. Today, Bårdshaug Herregård remains much as it did when Thams had used it as a personal residence. A combination of international architecture and decor with romantic furnishings, Bårdshaug Herregård is a testament to Thams' passion of travel and culture.

Hotel Timeline

Bårdshaug Herregård was purchased and opened its doors in the 1890s by architect, consul, and businessman Christian Thams, who transformed it into a distinctive manor estate with nine guestrooms located inside the historic structure today.

Thams drew on his background in carpentry, woodworking, architecture, and exported log-building design to reshape Bårdshaug into a Swiss-inspired country manor. The manor became associated with elite European guests, including King Oscar II of Sweden, King Leopold of Belgium, and King Olav V of Norway.

Bårdshaug continued to preserve the atmosphere of the Thams family home, including historic lounges and interiors linked to Christian Thams’ travels and interests.

Bårdshaug Herregård was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide. Historic Hotels Worldwide is a prestigious collection of historic treasures, including more than 300 legendary historic hotels including many former castles, chateaus, palaces, academies, haciendas, villas, monasteries, and other historic lodging spanning ten centuries.

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Legends, Lore, and the Unexplained

The spirits of two women are said to wander the corridors of Bårdshaug Herregård. Built in 1860, the manor was home to Christian Thams and his wife Sarah Sybille Francoise Atoinette Elènore Baronesse de Spengler. Many visitors and servants have passed through its winding halls in its years of existence, and it is hard to say who the two women who remain in the house may have been. In one report, children vividly recounted having spoken to a lady in red dress in the basement, though searches could not discern who this figure may have been. Unafraid by their presence, guests and staff alike report seen the women together and apart, behaving as calm and naturally as if they were still enjoying their time in the grand home or otherwise showing loyalty to the estate.