I’m not gonna lie: Osby is not exactly the center of the Kingdom of Sweden. It probably won’t make it onto everyone’s list of must-see destinations, and you won’t find yourself fighting through crowds of tourists here. But that’s part of its charm. Osby is a friendly, down-to-earth little town in northern Skåne, surrounded by forests and lakes, and a rather nice place to call home — or to spend a day while staying at Björkesö.
The town has a history that goes back much further than you might expect — back to medieval times. Osby really began to grow when the railway arrived in 1862, turning what had been a small village into a local center for trade and industry. Today, you can still find traces of that history in the town center, alongside the church, old school buildings and the everyday life of a small Swedish town.
Osby Church is one of the town’s landmarks. Parts of the original church date back to the late 12th or early 13th century, although the building has been expanded and rebuilt over the centuries. It is a reminder that Osby has been here for quite some time.
For many people, Osby is synonymous with BRIO — BRöderna Ivarsson Osby. The company began in the late 19th century and moved to Osby in 1902, eventually becoming internationally known for its wooden toys — including the iconic BRIO railway.
BRIO no longer has operations in Osby, but its history is still part of the town’s identity. The Lekoseum toy museum keeps that story alive, with toys and memories that may well make visitors of a certain age feel a little nostalgic. Or suddenly wonder what happened to that old wooden train set in the attic.
And then there is Fort Swanson. If you arrive in Osby by train, you might spot what looks like a small American frontier town beside the railway. Built in 1998, this Wild West-style complex is home to Swanson’s Travels, a travel company specializing in trips to North America.
It has a saloon, a hotel, a jail and even a stagecoach museum. The buildings are not a theme park, though — the fort is a working office, and the saloon serves as a staff canteen. Probably not quite what the cowboys had in mind, but a rather unusual place to go to work.
But for me, the best thing about Osby is not its industrial history, its toy heritage or its unexpected piece of the Wild West. It is the nature. Osbysjön is right next to the town, and within minutes you can leave the streets behind and find yourself by the water, in the forest or on a quiet walking path.
And that is really what makes Osby special. It may not be the center of the Kingdom, but it offers something that can be harder to find in more famous places: a friendly little town, beautiful surroundings and plenty of room to slow down.
For anyone staying at Björkesö, Osby is the natural place to go for shopping, a coffee, a little local history — or simply a reminder that civilization is still within easy reach (less than a 10-minute drive away).
And if you happen to be looking for the center of the Kingdom, well, you’ll have to keep driving. But do stop by Osby on the way.