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The LWL Open-Air Museum Detmold is closed from Nov. 1, 2024, until March 31, 2025. We are looking forward to welcoming you again as of April 1, 2025 - or come visit us for our Christmas market "MuseumsAdvent" on Dec. 6-8, 2024!

A time travel to the past

A spacious area with historic buildings in beautiful nature. At the LWL Open-Air Museum Detmold you can spend a great day with your family or friends.
In the workshops you can watch photographers, blacksmiths, bakers and potters at work. In the gardens that are landscaped according to historic schemes you can discover a lot of old plant species and varieties.
In the pastures and meadows you will also find old and partially endangered domestic breeds such as the Senner Horses, the Red Siegerland Cattle (Siegerländer Rotvieh) or the Lippe Geese (Lippegänse).

 

A path in the Paderborn Village between historic buildings.

500 years of Westphalian everyday culture

True to the original

The historic houses were dismantled at the original location and rebuilt in the open-air museum.
The furnishings are true to the original and therefore give an impression of how people used to live and work in former times.
We show you how everyday life has changed over the last 500 years.

An overview of our museum

A section of the Paderborn Village overlooking the pond, the Scheune Siemensmeyer and the House Ludovici. In the background there is the bakery.

Villages, farms and houses: Our permanent open-air exhibition

Further information about the museum grounds

The Restaurant “Im Weissen Ross”. On the left there is the Pastorate Allagen

Gastronomy: for a little break or family celebrations

Further information about our gastronomy

A passage to a farmyard. Straight ahead is a half-timbered house. The passage and the house are a picture of the Gräftenhof.

Visit us, we are looking forward to seeing you!

Getting to the museum

Find your way to our museum by car, bus or bicycle.

By car

Address:
LWL-Freilichtmuseum Detmold
Krummes Haus
32760 Detmold

More information on how to find us

An old car stands next to the museum's historical gas station.

By bus

Departing from Detmold central station:
Bus 701 to Berlebeck
Bus 703 to Hiddesen
Bus 782 to Bad Meinberg
From Easter to October also bus 792

More information on how to find us

Our bus stop on the other side of the museum near the Paderborn Village.

By bike

Starting in the city centre of Detmold, the “Allee-Radweg” along the "Paderborner Straße" will lead you to the museum.

More information on how to find us

A sign of the cycling network showing the way to the museum. On the sign is the inscription LWL open-air museum and a bicycle symbol.

A group of 18 adults. Some are a bit older. Some use a walker or sit in a wheelchair.

Accessibility

A welcome culture for everyone

Since our grounds are very large, we would like to provide you with useful information so that you can fully enjoy your visit to the museum.

The entrance area in the open-air museum during the event FRELICHTgenuss. There are different types of flowers and punpkins.

Events and activities

Events and activities

A variety of events and activities for young and old: On our large grounds you can do more than just walking around and looking at the old houses and beautiful landscapes. We also offer numerous events and activities for adults, children, teens and school-groups.

For adults

Whether group trips or creative afternoons with friends: We have a wide offer of activities.

Further information about the programmes for adults

Three women sitting at a spinning wheel. There is a yarn spool on the spinning wheel. They sew something out of it.

For kids and teens

Whether children's birthday events or Sunday excursions: With our hands-on and action programmes there is no time for boredom.

Further information about the program for children and teens

A girl and a boy who have a crafting action.

For school groups

For school groups we offer versatile programmes, which are coordinated with the curriculum.

Further information about the programmes for school groups

A group of pupils climbing on a tree.