Langeby is a beach at West Island (Vesterøya) in Sandefjord, Norway. It is described as the city's best beach by both Frommer's-[1] and Fodor's Travel Guides.[2] Besides its 150 metres (490 ft) sandy beach, it is home to Langeby Camping which offers boat- and kayak rentals. Langeby has a convenience store and piers used for fishing and boats. The beach has sloping rocks, a floating platform, diving boards, and showers. There is also a playground as well as a soccer field and volleyball court.[3][4][5]

Langeby beach.

Langeby attracts thousands of visitors every summer. It lies near Vøra, a beach and campground which attracts summer visitors and vacationers from throughout the country.[6] A coastal path known as Kyststien connects Langeby to Vøra. Near Vesterøyveien between the two beaches are remains from the Stone Age, discovered at an area 23 metres (75 ft) from the ocean. Many archeological artifacts have been retrieved from this location.[7] Tent camping is permitted on numerous nearby islets, including the 11 acres (4.5 ha) Hellesøya[8] and 12 acres (4.9 ha) Buerøya.[9][10] A nearby uninhabited island, Hellesøya, was purchased by the city in 1934 to become a public recreation area.[11] Hellesøya Island is home to a campground, sandy beach, and a boat pier.[12]

The beach was purchased and acquired by the city in 1958.[13]

Etymology edit

 
Langeby in 1966

Formerly known as Langibyr, it was pronounced Langabø until 1398 but got its current spelling in 1539.[14] The name Langeby derives from “the long farm”.[15]

History edit

Archeological discoveries have found evidence for prehistoric settlements at Auve, immediately south of Langeby, dating to the Stone Age between 5,400 and 4,900 years ago.[16]

Langeby has been a swimming destination since at least 1398. A number of farms were previously located around Langeby on West Island, but all agricultural activity ended in 1960. Langeby Pier was previously the main public pier for West Island, where many fishermen kept their vessels.[17]

Camping at Langeby was first established by Olaf Olsen Langeby in 1934-35. Langeby Camping is now a company offering 12 rental apartments and 140 spaces for RV's, tents, and camping trailers. The campsites are no longer than 80 metres (260 ft) at most from the ocean. Besides its two sandy beaches, Langeby has 400 metres (1,300 ft) of sloping rocks. It is situated at West Island, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from the city centre.[18]

The beach was purchased by the municipality of Sandefjord on February 26, 1958.[19]

The prestigious headquarters of Bjørn Hansen AS is located in a villa near Langeby and is shielded by forest on one side and unrestricted views of Sandefjord on the other.[20]

References edit

  1. ^ Porter, Darwin and Danforth Prince (2003). Frommer's Norway. Wiley. Page 159. ISBN 9780764524677.
  2. ^ Alspaugh, Emmanuelle (2006). Fodor's Norway. Fodor's Travel Publications. Page 74. ISBN 9781400016143.
  3. ^ "Sandefjord - Badeplasser". www.sandefjord.kommune.no. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Langeby badeplass - badeinfo". www.oslofjorden.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  5. ^ "Badestrender i Sandefjord". Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  6. ^ Bertelsen, Hans Kristian (1985). Sandefjord: A modern city with vast potential. Grafisk Studio. Page 36. ISBN 82-90636-00-8.
  7. ^ Larsen, Erlend (2011). På Tur i Vestfold del 2. E-forlag. Pages 276-277. ISBN 9788293057222.
  8. ^ "Hellesøya". Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  9. ^ "Buerøya". Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Hopp fra øy til øy med båt i fjorden". Sandefjords Blad. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  11. ^ Hoffstad, Arne (1983). Sandefjords historie - sett gjennem Sandefjords Blads spalter 1861-1983. Bind I 1861-1940. Sandefjords blad og trykkeri. Page 242. ISBN 8299070414.
  12. ^ Gjerseth, Simen (2016). Nye Sandefjord. Liv forlag. Page 147. ISBN 9788283301137.
  13. ^ Olstad, Finn (1997). Sandefjords historie B.2: En vanlig småby? Sandefjord kommune. Page 298. ISBN 8299379725.
  14. ^ Davidsen, Roger (2008). Et Sted i Sandefjord. Sandar Historielag. Pages 38-39. ISBN 9788299456753.
  15. ^ Møller, Vilhelm (1985). Sandar Bind III: Grend og gård 1850-1970, med tidsbilder fra næringsliv og kulturhistorie. Sandefjord kommune. Retrieved on September 3, 2021, from the National Library of Norway at https://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2013091738004
  16. ^ Trømborg, Dagfinn (1998). Vesterøya: Geologi og landformer. Vestfold University College. Page 26. ISBN 8279110097.
  17. ^ Davidsen, Roger (2008). Et Sted i Sandefjord. Sandar Historielag. Pages 38-39. ISBN 9788299456753.
  18. ^ Davidsen, Roger (2008). Et Sted i Sandefjord. Sandar Historielag. Page 39. ISBN 9788299456753.
  19. ^ Berg, Knut (1984). Sandefjords historie - sett gjennom Sandefjords Blads spalter 1861-1983. Bind II: 1940-1983. Sandefjords blad og trykkeri. Page 624. ISBN 8299070422.
  20. ^ Bertelsen, Hans Kristian (2000). Sandefjord i bilder / Sandefjord in pictures. Grafisk studio forlag. Page 125. ISBN 8290636024.

59°04′41″N 10°15′42″E / 59.0781°N 10.2617°E / 59.0781; 10.2617