The House
Elverhøi is a large and elegant wooden summerhouse situated within easy walking distance of the river. High-ceilinged rooms lead off a central passageway decorated with fishing memorabilia, some dating back to the 1890s, and there is a pretty westerly facing veranda that looks out on to a sheltered garden.
It has recently undergone internal and external refurbishment with support from the Kulturminnefondet, the Norwegian cultural heritage authority, but still retains its historical charm as a unique and much respected part of the valley’s history.
Living Rooms
After a busy day outside, you will be able to gather around a roaring log fire to share stories from the river or the hill and to explore books explaining the history of the area, the house and the family who has loved holidaying here for over a century. The sitting room, which is lined with old rods and sepia photographs of past catches, comfortably seats 8 or 10 and has a small adjacent study for anyone who wants a bit more peace and quiet. The study with its view out through the elegant veranda to the garden, is also where you will find games, playing cards and more books.
Dining Room
The dining room, which is across the passage from the kitchen, is a light and airy room that can seat 12 comfortably and has a wonderful southerly aspect with a commanding view of one of the highest mountains in the area. If larger numbers need to be accommodated it is also lovely to eat on the veranda or in the garden using the outdoor furniture.
The Bedrooms
The house sleeps 11 people in comfort, all on the ground floor, in a combination of four double rooms (three have twin beds, two of which can be used as doubles) and 1 single bedroom, all named after some of the great salmon rivers of the world. There are also two ancillary overflow bedrooms on the first floor. The comfortable bedrooms are all colourfully decorated with an eclectic mix of pictures and local artefacts and all the rooms have electric heaters and several have their own basins.
The three bathrooms all have showers, and two of them also have baths. There is a separate loo and a washing machine can be found in the newest of the bathrooms.
- 2 double rooms
- 2 double/twin rooms
- 1 twin room
- 1 single room
- 2 bathrooms with separate showers
- 1 shower room
- 1 separate loo
Staying Warm & Dry
Elverhøi was always intended to be a summer house and the early occupants probably slept under reindeer and bear skins or went south when it got chilly. Nowadays we are lucky to have extremely effective electric heaters in all the rooms if needed and there are plenty of blankets and hot water bottles but do bring bed socks if your feet get cold at night.
The first floor has not been refurbished and care is advised when using the stairs as the treads were damaged by the jackboots of the occupying German army in the war. However alongside the two overflow bedrooms there is an effective drying room which is useful for dealing with wet clothes and boots.
Kitchen
At the time that the house was built, servants would have worked in a series of small pantries and cooked on the old iron stove which is still there but recently these rooms were opened up to make a more practical cooking space. During renovations, we didn’t want to remove the original cupboards but instead have added a central island incorporating part of the beautiful panelled door. Amongst this mix of old and new you will find a large freezer, fridge, oven and induction hob. Guests will also have the use of a microwave, food processor, hand mixer, waffle maker and the obvious toaster, kettle and coffee machine. There is plenty of china, glass, pots and pans, and, mercifully, an efficient dishwasher!
Facilities
There is excellent connectivity in the valley via the Norwegian internet providers but there is no wifi, landline or television in the house.
Kitchen facilities mentioned above
- Clothes washing machine
- Electric heaters in all rooms
- Drying Room
- Logs supplied
- Weber barbecue
- Outdoor furniture
Outdoor Space
The house is set in mature grounds of approximately two acres and is a short walk from a beautiful rhododendron garden known as the Phillipshagen which was established in 1910 by Ethelbert Lort-Phillips, one of the first pioneering fishermen to visit the area. The veranda can comfortably seat 15 to 20 people in the shade and looks out to a huge elegant beech tree and a woodland garden of mature and new trees, rhododendrons and azaleas. The river can be accessed either directly by a short walk across a minor road or a ten minute woodland walk through a Viking Burial Ground.
