Bærum’s name is likely derived from Björgrheim, which means “the land between the mountains”. Bærum is Norway’s fifth most highly-populated municipality and covers an area of 192 square kilometres. 

The municipality has a vibrant cultural life as evident in the activity of organisations and volunteer groups. Bærum Cultural Centre is in Sandvika and has a capacity for an audience of 500. Bærum has two medieval churches on Tanum and Haslum that are still being used to this day. From the churches you can follow the Pilgrim’s Route towards Nidaros.

Bærum’s highest point is Vidvangshøgda at 549 metres above sea level, and lies in northeastern Krokskogen, but the best vantage point is at the top of southern Kolsås (349 metres above sea level). From here you have a view of nearly the entire municipality, toward Oslo, across to Nesodden and large areas of the Oslofjord.

Calcining has been an important industry in Bærum’s districts for 850 years. The lime was not only used locally, but also exported to many large construction projects going on in and around Oslo, and further south along the coast. The importance of lime production for the area inspired Bærum’s official coat of arms, a lime kiln.

In 1603 iron ore was found in Bærum, or “Vestre Bergum” as it was known at the time. This lead to Christian IV entering a fixed-term contract with Paul Smelter and the construction of an iron refinery. Bærums Verk developed into an essential business. It had an influence on the village for centuries and was of great importance to Norway as a whole.

Industry in Bærum developed primarily along the waterways, seeing the construction of saw mills, brickyards, pulp mills, paper mills and glassworks. Good harbours and the arrival of the Norwegian railway in 1872 were also necessary steps in Bærum’s industrial expansion.

Ice cutting remained a big business on Bærum’s many ponds all the way into the last century, as was the cultivation of fruit and berries.