Nykirke: Medieval Church and Cycling Routes

Nykirke brings together medieval church history, two historic cycling routes, a forest activity package and a seasonal pick-your-own offer. If you are considering whether Nykirke is right for your stay, these different themes can help you make a concrete decision: culture, cycling or seasonal activities.

Cultural history of Nykirke Church

The present-day Nykirke Church was probably built in the early 13th century as an annex church to Borre Church. It is a stone long church and one of the three medieval churches in Horten. Its original name was Sancti Nicholaj Nya kirkia.

The furnishings also bring together different periods. The altarpiece from 1890 depicts the baptism of Jesus as its main motif. The church also contains two bells from 1777 and a painting of the Crucifixion from 1735. The restored ship model Laura was installed as a votive ship in Nykirke Church in 1952. Visitors interested in historic churches will find both a medieval building and furnishings with specific dates. There is also a pilgrim stamp in the church.

Another historic landmark in Nykirke is Bruserød Farm. It was once an inn and post station on the Old King's Road. Today, the farm preserves a historic farmstead and a garden maintained by the history society's garden committee. Alongside church history, this offers a glimpse of the former functions of a farm on the road.

Cycling routes and activities

The two historic cycling routes differ in length and endpoints. Cycling route 15B is a straightforward one-way route covering 6.8 kilometers from Løvøy Chapel to Nykirke Church. The stated season for this route is April to October. Cycling route 15C starts at Nykirke Church and runs as a straightforward one-way route for 10.7 kilometers to Borre Church. Both are described as one-way routes; 15C is 3.9 kilometers longer than 15B. When planning, you can therefore choose between the two stated route lengths and their different endpoints.

There are also specific activities beyond the cycling routes. Tufte Gård, Tufteveien 5, 3180 Nykirke, offers a forest activity package. Moskvil Bær offers pick-your-own under cover on certain days in September. The specific dates are announced separately; check them if this seasonal offer is important for your travel plans.

Getting oriented before your trip

Nykirke is close to the E18 and the Vestfold Railway. The bus between Horten and Holmestrand stops at Nykirke. Check the current timetable before travelling so you can plan your journey accordingly. There is good parking at Nykirke Church; check the situation before you travel here, too.

More to explore in the wider Horten destination

The wider Horten destination offers other points of comparison in its medieval church landscape. Borre Church is a listed brick church dating from the 12th century and built in the Romanesque style. Løvøy Chapel is the smallest of Horten's three medieval churches and dates from the 13th century.

The wider Horten destination also includes a continuous coastal path from Åsgårdstrand to Falkensten. The disused Hortenlinja railway line has also been converted into a hiking and cycling path that is easily accessible for cyclists and wheelchair users. These regional routes add further options for trip planning alongside Nykirke's own cycling routes.

Discover more destinations: Skoppum, Horten, Åsgårdstrand.

Back to the main travel guide: Horten.