Short of ideas for what to do on a grey or rainy day? Check out Fredrikstad Library (bibliotek). Really. Even if you can’t register to borrow books, CDs and DVDs (you have to be a local resident to do that), you can still easily while away a couple of hours just browsing the shelves and taking a look around the impressive neo-Romanesque-style building. The library is actually one of Fredrikstad’s largest public buildings, and was completed in 1926, on what was once FFK’s training grounds. It was listed in 1992. As with many such buildings in Scandinavia, it is cosy and welcoming (despite its size, and the very, very hight ceilings in the main reading rooms), with good lighting, comfortable seating, and what seems to be the utmost disregard for gas bills (the heating is on full blast pretty much year round, with the exception of the summer months).

Check out, for example, the art section, which has a good collection of picture books on Norwegian artists, or the selection of novels in English in the main room. There is also a local history department that has good maps of the region; a bright and inviting children’s department with an exhibition of children’s art on the top floor; a PC room in the basement, where you can get free Internet access; and a reading room with a selection of national and international newspapers and magazines. The staff is friendly and pretty much all of them speak good English, and they’ll be happy to lend a hand if you’re looking after something specific.

J N Jacobsensgate 1. Tel: 69 38 34 00. Open Mon-Thur 0800-1900, Fri 0800-1600, Sat 1000-1500, Sun closed.