Zeit am See

Between Hamburg and Lübeck, there is a varied landscape of vast forests and idyllic lakes hidden in the dense greenery. In the middle of it all, right on the shores of the Küchensee lake in the Duchy of Lauenburg, lies the historic Hof Farchau ensemble, a former mill whose origins date back to the Middle Ages. Later operated as a paper mill, the northern part of the building was built in 1776 and the southern mill in 1827 – both with characteristic ventilation hatches in the roof, reminiscent of the drying of the sheets of paper. From 1900, the estate was converted for agricultural use and extended to include a greenhouse, a boathouse and bathhouse as well as a barn.
In order to keep the mill wheel turning and revitalise the farm, the buildings have been completely renovated in recent years, respecting their listed status, and transformed into a versatile holiday home that combines historical elements with modern requirements. In some places, visitors can walk on glass panes that make the medieval foundations and architectural artefacts visible and tangible. Only the greenhouse had to be rebuilt, but in the original style.
Since then, guests have been able to spend time in nature on the extensive grounds with private access to the lake.
The six different holiday dwellings are spread across the mill building and the barn and are suitable for two to eight people, depending on their size. Some are small and cosy, others maisonette units with a huge cooking and dining area. Whether with loft-like flair and historic half-timbering under the roof or more contemporary and barrier-free on the ground floor. Each apartament has its own entrance and, above all, its own characteristic charm that always blends old and new – from original roof beams, creaking wooden floors and doors from the 18th century to plastered walls and bathrooms, clear steel staircases and modern design.
In addition to the accommodation, guests will find various communal rooms and facilities. For instance, the north house of the mill building not only has a well-stocked library, but also a gym as well as a yoga and massage room. The boathouse offers all kinds of equipment for water sports. The barn not only hides functional items, but also a storage room for bicycles including e-bike hire. The greenhouse reveals a sauna with lounge and barbecue area surrounded by fruit trees and meadows with a small stream. And the dense nature fortunately ensures poor mobile phone reception (WIFI works perfectly). In short, pure idyll and relaxation.

What to do

Swimming and bathing, water sports (kayak, stand-up paddle and rowing boat for free use), cycling (cycle paths start right outside the front door, e-bike hire on the estate), hiking in the UNESCO Schaalsee biosphere reserve, bird watching, fishing, relaxing in the sauna, additional offers such as personal training, Nordic walking, yoga and massage on the farm, regional farm markets, excursions to Lübeck, Hamburg, Schwerin and the Baltic Sea

Why we like this house

Nothing is left to be desired here - a multi-faceted holiday destination that combines cultural history, enjoyment of nature and modern comfort.

This house is great for

Couples, families, friends, larger groups of up to 24 people for workshops, seminars and yoga retreats

Sustainability

Historic building fabric, reduced exterior lighting to minimise light pollution, e-mobility (wallbox and charging facilities for e-bikes), public transport: Ratzeburg train station 3.5 km away, direct bus connection to Hamburg-Wandsbek 2.5 km away

Details

Availability calendar

The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with a white background, the accommodation is still fully available. If an accommodation has more than one rentable unit, days with free capacities are shown with a light grey background. On days with a dark grey background, the accommodation is not available.

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