Huovila Park – A Hidden Gem With a Hint of Mystery (and a Lot of Charm)

Just look at that stunning spruce-lined road! At the end of it, a classic T-junction… and the big question: left or right? 😂
We guessed right — literally — and were relieved to spot a small sign that said “Huovilan puisto”. Yes! But… let’s be honest, it wasn’t the most welcoming “Welcome to the Park” sign we’ve ever seen.

So we did what we often do on this adventure: we sat for a moment and asked ourselves, “Have we lost a couple screws somewhere on the road?” Because somehow we just couldn’t figure it out. 😅

You can read more about this whole Kärkölä experience in our post — and let’s just say, it’s not the easiest place to find. And once you do, Huovila Park is basically the sight to see. But what a find it was!

🌿 Our Day in the Park

We grabbed a map and started exploring the checkpoints throughout the park. The history of Huovila Park is genuinely fascinating. There’s a charming local history museum spread across 14 restored buildings, each beautifully decorated with antique furniture. The whole area had such a nostalgic and peaceful atmosphere.

And then… we stepped into the Kauppamakasiini (old trading warehouse) — and wow, what a treasure trove! Inside was Seija Hakala’s exhibition, and as you’ll see from our photos… it was packed. The entire exhibit showcased Finland’s national holidays in miniature, down to the tiniest details. Truly an incredible piece of work!

There were so many little treasures there — things our kids had never seen before. It was a whole new world to explore.

🕰️ A Park with a Fascinating Past

Carl Constantin Collin left a lasting legacy not only in Kärkölä but also all the way in Nice, France.
The Huovila Park that we see today has been lovingly restored to reflect its early 1900s landscape design, created by Collin himself. He’s still a bit of a mysterious figure: an engineer who studied in France, ran a large estate in Kärkölä, designed this romantic landscape park, and traveled the world.

In the early 1900s, Collin moved to the French Riviera, settling in Nice, where he built two villas — one of which, Villa Huovila, remains a popular tourist attraction to this day.

Huovila Park is one of those places where history, beauty, and curiosity come together in the most delightful way. It may take a bit of effort to find — but that’s all part of the adventure. And in the end, it’s totally worth it.