In Lithuania, summer plans are often dictated by the weather forecast. As soon as rain clouds appear, many people postpone trips “for better weather.” However, Pakruojis Manor invites you to enjoy summer no matter the weather – even on rainy days, there’s no shortage of activities, and the flowers look even more vibrant after the rain.
Pakruojis Manor: a place in Lithuania full of activities even when it’s raining. We can confirm this ourselves. We’ve visited Pakruojis Manor several times – in different seasons and during various events. Even when the weather wasn’t perfect, we never felt like we ran out of things to do. In fact, we found some of the most interesting manor educational activities on rainy days, and these left the biggest impression on our kids.
Every day, visitors are greeted by 19th-century artisans and characters from manor life. They don’t just talk about their crafts – they invite you to try them out. You can learn about noble fashion, try on historical costumes, step into the world of early photography, witness recreated scenes from manor life, and experience the daily routines of a Lithuanian manor’s farm. There are also unique collections, tours of the Punishments Cellar, the Distillery, the old brewery, and even a meeting with the Baron himself.
Pakruojis Manor: a Lithuanian place full of activities even when it’s raining
Educational workshops and hands-on crafts
Both kids and adults can enjoy unique experiences here, learning about old crafts and manor life.
Retro photo session at Pakruojis Manor
The manor’s Photo Studio lets you dress in authentic costumes and have your photo taken just like people did over a hundred years ago. Charismatic retro photographer Kęstutis Kumža not only shares the history of photography but also creates an original souvenir to take home. The session is a unique chance to get an authentic photo that will last more than 50 years. You can pose in period attire or your own clothes. The session uses a vintage camera and late-19th-century techniques. In the darkroom, you can watch the magical process of developing photos – something that amazes both kids and adults. Be sure to stop by – the Photo Studio is in the main manor building, downstairs.
Manor’s wool manufactory
One of our family’s most memorable experiences was a wool manufactory educational workshop. The kids saw how a small lump of wool is transformed into a soft toy, joined the creative process, and took home souvenirs they made themselves. This isn’t a class where you just listen. Here, kids are constantly involved – they can touch, try, and create. We highly recommend taking the short walk to the Blacksmith’s House and the Wool Manufactory. They are located farther from the main hustle and bustle, on the way to the Miller’s House and the Traktierius Tavern.
Felter Janina always welcomes guests warmly in her workshop. She’ll explain the benefits of wool and teach you how to felt. The kids couldn’t believe they left with toys they made themselves. Even my husband joined in and loved the process! The wool workshop kept us warm and calm on a rainy day – it felt so good to learn something new and see what you can create with your own hands. On top of that, wool has health benefits – we left holding natural wool balls that we can use even for healing, and in our hearts, we took away Janina’s warmth.
The Manor’s Beekeeper and candle making
Life in the apiary is fascinating – bees create not only golden honey but also fragrant wax and other treasures. Manor beekeeper Irena Kompauskienė will explain how honey and other bee products reach your table. She’ll also show you how candles were made from wax in the old days. You’ll get to try it yourself. Irena radiates calm and kindness, and the candle-making process, though slow, is both interesting and sweet (you’ll even get to taste honey treats). We enjoyed it so much – kids especially loved it. Irena is wonderful with children.
You can meet Irena, join her workshops, and buy candles or honey products at Pakruojis Manor’s farm section.
Pakruojis Manor exhibitions
There are more than 40 buildings on the manor grounds. The palace, offices, stables, distillery, bridges, and park host a wide variety of activities and entertainment for all ages and in any weather.
The Technical Workshop is a place where boys and their dads can spend hours. It has a huge collection of old farm machines, tools, engines, and tractors. You’ll also spot beautiful vintage cars and even have the chance to take a ride.
Kids will love the vintage pinball machine exhibit. Everyone can learn about and try out the first mechanical and semi-mechanical arcade machines.
Older and braver kids will enjoy Lithuania’s only Punishment Museum. In dim medieval basement light, with chains clanking, you can see and learn about old punishments and devices up close. It’s a bit creepy, but also fascinating.
Our teens also enjoyed the Panopticon, where they explored rare, mystical, occult, and exotic objects, as well as natural and human anomalies.
Flowers bloom even brighter after rain
Rain doesn’t bother the millions of festival flowers. In fact, after some moisture, the gardens become even more vibrant, and once the sun returns, the park and its floral displays glow. Changeable summer weather is actually an advantage. While it’s raining, you can explore the manor’s indoor stories and exhibits, and when the sun comes out, stroll through the lively gardens, blooming park, and enjoy the summer festival sights.
Manor relaxation and flavors
If you want to experience everything without rushing, we highly recommend staying at the manor for at least one night. We chose to stay in the historic manor hotel, which allowed us to soak in the atmosphere – walking through the nearly empty park at night and enjoying the peace before the first visitors arrive in the morning.
You can also stay at the Miller’s House hotel. This historic part of the manor has preserved the spirit of the old miller, while inside you’ll find cozy rooms. The hotel has 22 different rooms – ranging from singles to spacious family rooms for up to five people.
Another must-try experience is a gourmet dinner at the manor restaurant. Here, meals become part of the whole experience – carefully prepared dishes, historic interiors, and a special atmosphere make you feel like guests of a noble manor.
If you stay on a Saturday, be sure to try the all-inclusive manor grill feast at Traktierius Restaurant. We arrived expecting a simple dinner and quickly realized this was something else. The manor grill feast is not just a meal – it’s a feast where, for 29 euros, you can eat as much as you want. The menu includes everything from unique grilled dishes to authentic Lithuanian classics.
Summer isn’t just about sunny days
Pakruojis Manor’s team says: “If you keep waiting for perfect weather, you might miss the whole summer. Sometimes, rainy days become the most memorable – they give you more time to explore the manor’s stories, educational activities, and experiences you can’t plan with a weather app.” We agree! Even in bad weather, you can have a wonderful day – or several – in Pakruojis Manor!
