A listed main house, a diverse cultural offering and designated walking areas reveal different sides of Wentorf bei Hamburg. The main house at Golfstraße 5 is a country house in the English Country Style, dating from 1914 and 1921 and designed by August Ott and William Rzekonski. It is part of the former Weltevreden estate complex.

The main house and its park setting

The building stands in the northern part of the park, at the highest point on the banks of the Bille. A lawn lies to the west, while trees grow on the other sides. This setting describes the house’s relationship to the surrounding landscape, while the architecture itself features several preserved historic details: stucco ceilings, wooden coffered ceilings, Delft tiles, and leaded glass in doors and windows. For architecture enthusiasts, these elements offer a concrete insight into the house’s design.

Since 2018, the main house has been home to the Woods Art Institute’s event and seminar rooms. The institute also offers art classes in addition to exhibitions. Visits to the Woods Art Institute are only possible as guided tours; tickets are booked via the website. Check the booking conditions before travelling.

Art and community cultural life

The Woods Art Institute brings together contemporary art, listed buildings and expansive parkland. The WAI Galleries present changing exhibitions across 2,300 square metres. The art forms on display include painting, sculpture, installation, video art, performance and photography. The central exhibition house alternates between the Reinking Collection and changing solo exhibitions; the grounds also include a sculpture garden and a historic arboretum.

The sculpture park invites visitors to stroll along paths and terraced levels among mature trees in a historic landscaped park setting. The art offering thus combines exhibition visits, art classes and views of outdoor sculptures. Wentorf’s public cultural programme also includes music, theatre, exhibitions, readings and festivals. The Old School serves as a meeting place, and the municipal library is another local cultural institution.

The municipal archive is open to everyone conducting academic, local-history or genealogical research, by arrangement with the municipal archivist. Make arrangements before visiting. The archive regularly offers talks, exhibitions and excursions, usually in collaboration with the Wentorf Civic Association. Its regional history publications include Wentorf – The Local History Book, a history of Wentorf’s villa districts and a history of Wentorf-Süd.

Walks and outdoor activities

Local leisure activities include hiking, cycling and horse riding. For walks, the Lohe and Bergedorfer Gehölz are suitable options, as are the ravines of Hohler Grund and the new green corridors on the former barracks grounds. These areas offer different ways to enjoy a stay that leaves room for outdoor activity alongside architecture and culture.

The wider Herzogtum Lauenburg region

Looking at the wider travel destination of Herzogtum Lauenburg reveals a larger landscape: 26 percent of the district is forest, and it encompasses 48 lakes. The Sachsenwald, Schleswig-Holstein’s largest contiguous forest, is also located there. These regional features describe Herzogtum Lauenburg, not individual walking areas in Wentorf.

The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park has hiking trails, observation towers, educational trails and places to rest. Established in 1960, the nature park is a protected area for visitors to explore. Visitors can hike, cycle and canoe in the park, as well as swim in forest lakes; four signposted routes are available for cycling. Guided excursions with experts also explore the district’s wildlife, plant life and cultural history. This helps distinguish Wentorf’s own cultural and walking offerings from the nature and leisure opportunities across the wider travel destination.

Go to the main travel overview: Herzogtum Lauenburg.