Finnish Eco-Agrotourism Association – ECEAT Finland

Lamminkankaan Lähde farm offers self-catering accommodation in early 20th-century spirit. Seven traditional buildings, mainly built from logs, with welcoming interiors are available to rent, ranging from an outbuilding sleeping 2 to a high-quality apartment for 10. The buildings are scattered over a 10-hectare area, ensuring the visitors’ privacy. A private area on the lakeshore with a sauna and a boat is reserved for each cottage located higher up on the hill.

Lamminkankaan Lähde is popular with holiday-makers, especially in summer. From autumn till spring, it offers a home and working space for telecommuters in a number of fields, serving as a residence and also a retreat. With its multiple buildings, it is also ideal as a venue for various events.

Surroundings and activities

The farm with its varying landscapes and rich biodiversity is located in a remote corner of Saarijärvi, partly surrounded by a wilderness. The original farm buildings are located on the brow of a hill. From this point roads branch down to the large Havulampi Lake, which has dark but clean waters. Sand has been laid down in most shoreline areas outside the saunas, making them suitable for children.

Local attractions include the scenic area of Julmat lammit (13 km), an amusement park (16 km), a ski resort (25 km), a Stone Age village (29 km), sports facilities (22 km and 36 km), the national parks of Pyhähäkki (42 km) and Salamanperä (74 km) as well as Kulhanvuori hill (43 km). Also a spa, outdoor theatre performances in summer, museums, and dancing. For more information, go to visit saarijarvi

Ecological actions in Lamminkangas

Lamminkankaan Lähde strives to care for the environment created by the founder of the farm, Aaku Lamminkangas, and its diversity, for example by managing the fields and keeping traditional pastures open. Alleys lined with trees and two small wetlands have been established. Old buildings have been repaired, respecting old structures and favouring natural materials. Plenty of recycled materials have been used both in building and interior decoration, and many old buildings have been put to a new use. Since 1990, 19 recycled log buildings have been erected on the farm, mainly barns and other outbuildings, most of these rescued from being demolished. The turf-roofed Valonranta cottage is powered by solar energy, the other cabins by hydro power.

Directions

• Train: Railway station in Jyväskylä, 87 km.
• Bus: Bus stop in Kalmari, 5 km.
• Motorists/cyclists: From Saarijärvi, take road 13 to the west for some 15 km until you reach the village of Kalmari, from where the distance to the farm is 5 km. Ask for more detailed directions when making your booking.

Opening times and prices

Some of the buildings are open round the year. Advance booking always necessary.

The prices and more information about the accommodation can be found at the website www.lamminkangas.fi

• The minimum charge usually is the price for two days. Please ask for special offers.
• The prices for telecommuters are usually less expensive and will be agreed case by case depending on the living and working areas needed.
• Volunteers can also put their names down for a working party organised once every spring/autumn to help with building jobs. Participants will be offered vegetarian food and relaxed company – no charge.
• You can also rent the cottages directly online through www.lomarengas.fi or booking.com, or directly from the owner.