Bamble municipality in Norway has approximately 14.110 inhabitants and covers a area of 303,8 km2. The municipality has the longest coastline in the Telemark County, from the innermost part of the Voldsfjorden where the boundary with the municipality of Skien lies, to the Fossingfjorden, at Kragerø, it stretches for a total of about 72km., including its numerous bays and headlands. There are also many larger and smaller islands here. To the north-west, Bamble’s boundary with the Municipality Drangedal follows to a great extent an ancient geographical dislocation line.
The total land area in Bamble is approximately 300 km2, and of this about 208 km2 is productive forestry, and about 8 km2 is farmland. The Bamble of today is made up of an amalgamation of the three smaller counties of Bamble, Langesund, and Stathelle in 1964. The greater part of the population live on the Langesund peninsula, which runs between Stathelle and Langesund, while others live in villages such as Herre, Valle and Feset.
The municipality´s administrative centre is located at Langesund, and it is from the Town Hall here that Bamble’s over 14.000 inhabitants are administered. Bamble is one of the big industrial counties in Telemark, and here the two largest industrial complexes are the petrochemical plants at Borealis and Hydro Polymers. Rafnes is an industrial center located at Frierfjord near Porsgrunn.There are several small and medium sized mechanical workshops situated along the Frierfjorden. Bamble is also Telemark’s leading county in the fishing industry, with about 60 professional fishermen. They are mostly involved with the fishing of shrimps and eel, although some also fish by trawling.
Langesund has a modern fishing harbour, and there are two fish-depots, at Langesund and at Kjønnøya, further west in the county. There are, in addition, 3 food processing businesses in Langesund which are based on the local fishing industry. At Bunesåsen near Stathelle, we find Norway’s largest freezer plant. Large amounts of meat and ice-cream produce are stored here, in what was once a limestone mine.
The Quality Skjærgården Hotel and Badepark near Langesund is a successful business, offering a whole range of services. The summer concerts at the Wrightegaarden feature both nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, and offer a cultural attraction appreciated by local people and visitors from afar.
The geology in Bamble is of particular interest. It is here we find the southernmost point of the so-called Kongsberg-Bamble formation. Throughout the ages a great deal of mining has taken place here, and there are visible signs still to be seen at several locations. Mineral deposits have been found in the county which are internationally unique. The Bamble coastal skerries are popular recreational areas in the summer for day-trippers, cabin-owners, and boat tourists.
The majority of Bamble’s around 2.500 holiday cabins are to be found along the coastline. No matter where you live in Bamble, there are ample opportunities to enjoy scenery and outdoor activities, on land and at sea. With the implementation of Bamble’s Coastal Plan and Coastal Park, large recreational areas have been secured for use and enjoyment by visitors arriving by road and sea. Voluntary service and maintenance agreements have been set up for islands and seashore areas totalling 2,5 km2 (or 620 acres). Summer tourists are well catered for at Valle, and the holiday season transforms this quiet, little village into a busy seaside resort.
The outlying, hilly areas of Bamble have an extensive range of outdoor experiences to offer. Here we find small streams and rivers, still forest lakes and large, inland lakes, and thriving forests. There are also signposted trails leading to fabulous viewpoints which afford views to the north to the mountain of Gaustatoppen, and to the south to the sea horizon far out in the Skagerak. An excursion into the Bamble countryside offers the chance of seeing some of the 271 registered wild fauna native to the area.
LANGESUND
In the early days, Langesund was one of the most important shipping towns in Norway. Langesund, an old coastal town dating back to 1765, is the regional administration centre. It has strong traditions as a harbour for lumber, shipbuilding and ice and is beautifully situated on the fjord of the same name. In the centre of town are a number of well-preserved and restored buildings from the late 18th century. The area around Langesund is renowned for its interesting flora and geology. It is possible to visit the remains of the old Coastal Fortress on Langesundstangen on the extreme end of the Langesund peninsula. The fort was established during the war by the Germans and later used by the Norwegian Coastal Artillery and Home Guard until 1993.
Langesund is one of the most celebrated summer towns in Norway because of the large number of sunny days. It is also well known for Wrightegaarden, a building that hosts outdoor concerts every weekend the whole summer. Artists like Bob Dylan, A-ha, Elton John and Little Richard have played in Wrightegaarden. There is a lovely outdoor area on Langøya. Steinvika and Krogs havn are two outdoor areas suitable for families and swimming.
Langøytangen Lighthouse is a fully automated coastal lighthouse situated on the island of Langøya. It marks the southern point of the Langesund sound. It is available for rental for overnight guests. Langøya island is 2.4 km long and less than 283 meters at its widest point. The island is only 153 km from Denmark, and roughly midway between Denmark and Oslo which accounts for its importance for shipping.
FERRY
Fjord Line is a modern and public-minded shipping company focusing on safe and pleasant transportation between Norway and the European continent. The Fjord Line terminals in Norway: Bergen, Stavanger, Kristiansand, Langesund and Sandefjord. The Fjord Line terminal in Denmark: Hirtshals. The Fjord Line terminals in Sweden: Strömstad.
LANGESUND COASTAL MUSEUM
The museum is housed in the old Cudrios Sjøbod, an old log-built store structure from the 18th century which nestles within its original environment with old, elegant patrician houses as its neighbours. The museum contains: Exhibitions covering three floors with a theme derived from the district’s maritime history in connection with fishing and shipping.
STATHELLE
Stathelle became a junction early on, because of the ferry traffic between Bamble and Brevik. In the 17th century, it developed into a junction for the lumber trade with the Dutch. Many beautiful, old, wooden buildings. Lovely view of the archipelago from the Brevik bridge.
RAFNES FARM
The old manor house of wood lying on the site was built for a branch of the genus Løvenskiold in the 1780s . The farm and its agricultural and forested land was from then owned by the family that sold the property approximately 1920. To this family branch heard such Frederik Løvenskiold and Herman Leopoldus Løvenskiold. Farm building burned down and it was later listed as a main building which is owned by companies that drove the industrial site, now Ineos Norge. Previous owners of the factories was Norsk Hydro.
Rafnes chlorine plant
Wet gas from the North Sea is the raw material for the petrochemical industry, Ineos Norge has chlorine plants in Rafnes and Rønningen in Bamble and Herøya in Porsgrunn. The expansion of chlorine production on Rafnes makes Ineos Norge a great and reliable supplier of petrochemicals market. Ineos Norge is integrated in the value chain from raw material to finished PVC.
GALLERI CUDRIO
Pictorial art, textiles and ceramics, etc. for sale. The ground floor of the museum can be accessed by wheelchairs.
EIK FARM
The Eik estate lies next to the highway half way between Stathelle and Langesund, just beyond the Grasmyr Centre. The estate has been under restoration for several years and was opened to the public in 1989. The interior and furniture is from the 19th century and shows how a large estate in the district might have looked. Individual exhibitions featuring artists and exponents of handicrafts are held there.
TANGVALD MILL
Tangvald Mølle was restored and opened as a part of the Bamble museum in 1992. Traditional corn-grinding is demonstrated here. Located on the Tangvald road, between Rv 352 and the E18. Beautiful surroundings. Contact the cultural affairs office for more information on opening hours.
BAMBLE CHURCH
Bamble Church is a large wooden church built in the neo-Gothic style, designed and partly decorated by the famous preacher G. A. Lammers (who was also thought to have been the model for Ibsen’s Brand). It was consecrated in 1836. The old church, dedicated to St. Olav. and built of stone probably around 1150, had to make way for it. Though it was beautiful with an unusually rich ornamentation, it was too small. The chalkstone portal is said to be one of the most beautiful examples of Norwegian romanesque church art to be seen. The ruin, which is preserved in the churchyard, backs up this claim.
BOATTRIPS
Due to the numerous rivers and lakes, the county is an eldorado for canoists wishing to escape the traffic and noise of everyday life. The sight of the beaver in his natural setting as evening falls, or the distinctive sound of the woodcock, can sooth the soul of any nature lover. Between Langesund and Helgeroa there is daily service from Midsummer Night’s Eve until 9 August. Sightseeing on the fjords also available.
SKJÆRGÅRDEN BADEPARK
A 4,000 m2 swimming and leisure centre, with an indoor and outdoor pool heated to 31 degrees C all year round. A 57 metre water-slide, jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, solaria, health massages, exercising room and creche for babies. Beautifully situated at the edge of the sea.
LANGESUND FISHING FESTIVAL
Langesund Open fishing competition for adults and children.
FISHING
Taxi boat exchange near Sjøbua on Valle. Fishing trips on M/S Flesa.
Bamble Jeger og Fiskerlag own some 30 lakes, hut special arrangements may apply to some lakes. Fishing permits sold at Langesund Sport, Sanderø Sport, Brevik, Rugtveit Dagligvare, Herre bensin (salmon fishing).
GOLF
Bamble Golfclub is a golf course with 6 holes and a variation of difficulties. The course lies at Stathelle.