Drangedal: Church, Culture and History

Get to know Drangedal through its central cultural sites and the history of Lake Toke. Drangedal Church, the stone Kjeåsbrua, the old trading stalls known as Buene, and the cultural centre Tokestua each offer a different perspective. If you’re looking for hotels in Drangedal, these themes can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.

Finding your way around the centre

Drangedal Church is the main church of the parish and a landmark in the centre of Drangedal, in Prestestranda. It is a wooden cruciform church, completed in 1775. The railway station is about a 300-metre walk from the church. This makes the church a clear point of reference in the town centre, while the approximate distance is useful for planning your walk.

Local history in wood and stone

Kjeåsbrua is also in the centre of Drangedal. The stone bridge was completed in 1927 in connection with the opening of the Sørlandsbanen railway line to Kragerø. Its history complements that of the church: the cruciform church dates from the 18th century, while the bridge dates from the 20th century. The old trading stalls known as Buene in Prestestranda, in turn, tell of Toke’s former importance as a transport route between Drangedal and Kragerø. Together, the church, bridge and trading stalls show different sides of local history, although they do not represent the same period or function.

Cultural sites in Drangedal

Tokestua is a cinema and cultural centre in the centre of Drangedal. With amphitheatre-style seating, the hall can accommodate 200 people seated. The rooms can be hired for courses, conferences or birthday parties, and concerts are also held there. If you’d like to plan your trip around an event or use of the facilities, check the current programme and rental terms. Capacity information may also change.

Drangedal bygdetun features 19 historic and locally distinctive buildings from across Drangedal. Unlike a single building, the focus here is on a selection of buildings from different parts of the area. This gives the local history a different emphasis from a visit to the church or bridge: instead of a single landmark, you’ll see a collection of historic and locally distinctive buildings.

Walks and canoes at Toke

A maintained walking path runs along Toke in the area around Buene. It’s an invitation to relax and explore, offering a different way to experience the area from its historic buildings in the centre. For an activity on the water, Drangedal Municipality rents out four canoes directly at the beach. As availability may change, it’s a good idea to confirm it before making plans.

The wider Drangedal destination

Beyond the town centre, the wider Drangedal destination is shaped by forests, lakes, moors, mountains and distinctive rock formations. The hike to Himmelriket starts at Gautefall Ski Centre and is an easy introduction to walking in the area. Check parking and trail conditions before setting out. On Gautefallheia, Gautefall Event offers guided mountain bike tours for groups of four or more. The tours are adapted to participants’ abilities, and you must get in touch in advance. These hiking and cycling activities are part of the wider Drangedal destination, not the cultural sites mentioned in the centre.

This gives you a clear distinction when planning your trip: the centre is home to the cultural and historical sites described above, while the wider destination also offers landscapes, hiking and guided mountain bike tours.

Discover more destinations: Skien, Kviteseid.

Go to the overview of destinations: Telemark.