The estate also has many unusual and beautiful deciduous trees and shrubs and several flower beds.

Initially the complex was a private garden laid out by the couple Anne and Halvor Svinvik. The arboretum, which during the sixties was to become one of the largest collections of trees and shrubs that private persons have been able to create in Norway, was started in 1943. In 1971 the Svinviks donated their estate with its entire collection of plants to the Museum of Natural History and Archaeology which now forms part of NTNU.

The place serves as a memorial over what two private individuals were able to create by dint of enthusiasm and commitment. Moreover it is used for test cultivation of many rare plant species in order to find out whether they can survive the climatic conditions of this part of the country.

Svinvik's Arboretum is open to the public, and is one of the principal tourist attractions of inland Nordmøre.

New attractions in Svinvik's Arboretum 2009
Numerous flower bulbs and perennials were planted in new beds last year. This year they will show their first flowers. You are welcome to experience a spring adventure of crocuses, tulips and daffodils and the attractive midsummer flowering of crane's-bills in pink. red and lilac.

Guided Garden Walk
Come along on a garden walk in Svinvik's Arboretum guided by well-informed guides. Experience numerous colourful Rhododendrons, majestic Cypresses and exotic scents in an incredible garden along the Todal fjord. The tour takes approximately one hour and is rounded off with coffee/tea and tasteful cakes in Svinvik's Arboretum Café. Fee: NOK 170 per person. Please wear suitable footwear for outdoor use.
Please order guided tours in advance: phone +47 71 66 35 80 /974 33 709 or by e-mail

What you will see in Svinvik's Arboretum
Svinvik's Arboretum is a botanical garden of mostly shrubs and trees. The original arboretum which was laid out in the steep hills leading down to the Todal fjord is dominated by conifers and rhododendron. In other parts of the estate, many deciduous trees and bushes have been planted in addition to the conifers and rhododendron.

There are many beds with an abundant diversity of lowgrowing rhododendrons and other plants requiring lime-free soil.

Many of the plants in the arboretum are provided with labels displaying the scientific and common Norwegian name of the taxon, botanical family, natural distribution, and accession year and number.

Visitors are invited to roam the gardens on their own. Advance booking is not required. Guided tours for groups can be ordered in advance. Please, consult Opening hours and entrance fees.

Opening hours and entrance fees
Opening hours summer 2009,
Wednesday 20 May to Thursday 20 August:
Tue to Sun 12 noon to 5 p.m. Mondays closed.
June and July: Additional opening Wednesdays 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
No admittance after closing time, with the exception of special agreements with groups ordering guided tours in advance (see above).

Tickets:
Children (0 - 15 years): Free entrance
Adults: NOK 50
No discount for groups, senior citizens or students.

Special offers for groups ordering in advance:
Entrance and reception: NOK 80 per person (NOK 100)
Entrance and guided tour: NOK 110 per person (NOK 130)
Entrace, guided tour and coffee/tea and cakes: NOK 170 per person (NOK 200)

Prices in parentheses apply to visits outside opening hours. Due to the terrain conditions and the security of the participants the maximum number of participants per group is set to 20 persons. If the group is bigger we have to agree on special arrangements.