I can certainly see how others could be left uninspired by a visit to these, however we had a rather enjoyable trip to see, staying in a highly recommended farmhouse in the hamlet of Långhed. This also enabled us to have a tour of one of the inscribed farmsteads. It felt like a treat and as if we were privy to something special.

After what I can only describe as one of the greatest breakfasts I have ever had we were well set up for the day. Swedish accommodation is astonishing for this, there is just something about their simple high quality ingredients that just always hits the spot, the bread our host had sourced for us was the best I have ever had.

In terms of the world heritage site we visited Pallars. It isn't normally open but our bed and breakfast owner was a friend of the owner of the farm and he was able to arrange a private viewing. I felt a little awkward stood there waiting as the presumably elderly owner was woken by our arrival and then shuffled up behind the curtains of the main house, cracked open the door and slid out a set of keys so big it was like they were from a cartoon. This was very much in private ownership, and we felt rather privileged to be allowed in.

The farm was made up of three buildings, the main house was our gracious but hidden hosts home, so not in the tour. Thus the first building we visited was the real highlight of the complex. This one contained some rather impressive watercolour paintings that decorate the guest bedroom. Now visiting world heritage sites you get to see some amazing paintings by some of the world’s greatest artists, and it is fair to say that these are not in the same league, they are mostly only of local significance. However I found them exceptionally charming, the pale blue scenes of local life and nearby cities certainly left an impression.

The rest of the building was nice, being a collection of well appointed rooms, though in comparison to the bedroom they were rather mundane.

We then headed across the courtyard to another building; this was again a well preserved rural guesthouse with some neat decoration and wonderful collection of pastoral antiques, which our guide took great pleasure in explaining and showing in detail. There was also an impressive stove and baking paraphernalia, mixed in amongst the everyday odds and ends you would expect to find in someone’s out building. The fact that it was obviously still someone’s home really added to the charm, and again made us feel quite privileged that we were able to visit.

To be honest I’m not sure if they are worthy of a place on the list. But our trip was certainly rewarding, and as ever this hunting of World Heritage Sites brought us well of the beaten track and helped us enjoy a mid-summers night in a rural Swedish hamlet. That alone was worth the journey.

[Site 6: Experience 7]