Its more recent history starts with it being part of a royal estate belonging to nearby Gripsholm Castle, supplying the court with foodstuffs.

They led to points of interest in the landscape, such as the cross of iron erected by the fraternal order Coldinuorden [sv].

[2] In 1997, the castellan and another official from Gripsholm Castle informed the County Governor Bo Holmberg that the deer park had financial difficulties.

The long continuity of grazing, initially by cattle and later by deer, has created a rich natural environment.

The many old, sometimes dying and decaying, trees — mostly oak but also linden — also provide important habitats for several species of insects, lichen and fungi.

Several red-listed species of lichen (e.g. Caloplaca lucifuga, Parmelina tiliacea and Nephroma parile) and insects (e.g. Lasius brunneus, Pentaphyllus testaceus and Corticeus fasciatus) have been found in Gripsholms hjorthage, and the area is deemed to have a high botanical and entomological value.

[2][3][4] The nature reserve is deemed to be of interest for research concerning species which are dependent on the presence of old-growth oak trees.