Along the path on the dike, we come across the old Fredriks Krog to Hestehovedet. This area has been transformed by human activity. Earlier it was just a marshy peninsula called Hesthaven, arguably because the horses grazed here. The place name ’Hestehoved’ is probably a corruption of ’Hesthaven’.
In the 1940s and 50s there was a need for a marina and a beach where the water was less polluted than that nearer Nakskov. The Town Council decided to spend a major sum of money to create a recreational area here. The project began with a huge surge of activity. The port was excavated using shovel and spade, and the removed soil was used to build dikes and to level the marshy peninsula. The last structure to be made was a toboggan hill where Restaurant Fjorden later was built.
Today, the area contains almost everything the modern person could want. Here is a marina, a child-friendly beach with a looong pier, restaurant, kiosk, camping, party rooms and beach volleyball courts. That there is also a pleasant view of the fjord only improves the area!
Right next to Hestehovedet is the small island Kuddeholm owned by Lolland Municipality. A small gap separates the two areas. Nevertheless, there is an incredible contrast between the manicured park and Kuddeholm, an island left to nature.
Out on Kuddeholm an unusual variety of plant species can be found. Up to 100 different species thrive on this small island. The most rare are probably the sea lavender and meadow fleabane. The latter has the most beautiful flowers in July and August, that attract many butterflies. The reason for the many species is probably because the island has been grazed for generations and never cultivated.
Behind some great gnarled ancient hawthorns is a small hill from which there is a fine view of the fjord.
Furtherest toward the west are the remains of an old Swedish redoubt dating from 1658 or 1659. This redoubt is the only one that is preserved in the central part of the fjord. Previously, there were nearly 10 redoubts on the mainland or islands, but ploughing or settlement means that this is the only one remaining.
West of Kuddeholm lies a large stone that can be seen at low tide. It is called the Aquavite stone, as in previous times, the rule was that here the fishermen took the last dram before going to sea. This ensured that the fishermen were sober during fishing. The next dram was imbibed when the stone was passed on the way home to Nakskov.