This year’s retreat will be held at Egelund Castle, a few kilometers from Fredensborg Palace, (where the royal Danish family actually resides in Spring and Fall). In 1909, when the land was up for auction, it was bought by Queen Louise, wife of king Frederik VIII, also known as the great-grandmother of the present Queen Margrethe II.
The castle was then built by the architect Carl Harild, from 1915-17. It was created with the intention of establishing a household close to Fredensborg for the Queen’s youngest children.
The castle itself is the newest one in Denmark, while surrounded by a landscape rich in history, where culture and nature merge. Egelund Castle was inspired by the Renaissance and Baroque periods, but enjoys a fairly modern design compared to its older processors. At the edge of the grounds lies Gribskov Forest – one of the oldest and biggest forests in Denmark. From the garden, Mølleeng Preserve can be viewed, all the way to Lake Esrum, where the splendor of Fredensborg Palace’s dome is visible, all in one sweeping vista.
Egelund Castle today is owned by the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) congress. It is used as an inn and a modern conference center where the rich atmosphere of history has been preserved.
Hamlet’s Hideaway is a writing retreat offering international writers this magical setting as a place to dream and create. With the guidance of two professionals and the support of an intimate writing community, one could start those short stories or complete a memoir at the end of the Scandinavian Summer.