Plantations - plan your trip
by matcrazy1
Even if you are great fan of old plantations, gardens and historic houses do not try to visit too many in one day. We visited the Berkeley Plantation in the morning, ate early lunch in Indian Tavern restaurant and visited Colonial Williamsburg in the afternoon. We saw a lot but we didn't have much time.
Plan your trip to the plantations in advance and keep in mind their different opening hours and remember that some plantations offer tours only by appointment.
1. Shirley Plantation
Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Tickets $10.50, 9.00 am - 4.30 pm.
2. Edgewood Plantation
Historic tours by appointment only. Call: +1 (804) 829-2962
3. Berkeley Plantation
4. Westover Plantation
The grounds and garden are open daily 9.00 am - 6.00 pm but the house is not open to the public.
5. Evelynton Plantation
The house, grounds and gardens are open daily 9.00 am - 5.00 pm.
6. Belle Air Plantation
The plantation is open 9.00 am - 8.00 pm by appointment only. Call +1 (804) 829-2431.
7. Piney Grove at Southall's Plantation
The gardens and grounds are open daily 9.00 am - 5.00 pm for self-guided tours ($3.00).
8. North Bend Plantation
By appointment only. Call: +1 (804) 829-5176.
9. Sherwood Forest Plantation
Open 9.00 am - 5.00 pm daily.
Plantations along scenic Route 5
by matcrazy1
This old route starts from Richmond's Main Street and goes east, just north of the wide James River through Charles City and all the way to Williamsburg.
In addition to picturesque landscapes there are the James River Plantations along the route, all located in Charles City County, privately owned and open to the public. Driving from Richmond there are ony by one:
1. Shirley Plantation
Tthe oldest plantation in Virginia (1613) and the oldest family-owned business in North America (1638).
2. Edgewood Plantation
Previously part of the Berkeley Plantation, currently it houses Bed & Breakfast Inn and is an example of Carpenter's Gothic architecture.
3. Berkeley Plantation - read my Must See Activities tips.
4. Westover Plantation
Built ca 1730 by William Byrd II, the founder of Richmond. There are secret underground passageways (an escape from Indians). The house is told to be one of the most outstanding example of Georgian architecture in America.
5. Evelynton Plantation
It was part of the Westover Plantation at the beginning. The original house and out-buildings were burned during the War Between the States in 1862. The current Georgian Revival manor house was built in 1937.
6. Belle Air Plantation
Built ca 1670, it is known for its original massive heartpine timbers and America's finest Jacobean stairway. Currently it is a bed and breakfast. 7. Piney Grove at Southall's Plantation
Built ca 1790 and first settled by Virginia's prominent Southall family, it's considered the best preserved example of Early Log Architecture in Tidewater Virginia.
8. North Bend Plantation
Built in 1819 it houses bed and breakfast now. Known for original antiques, rare books, old dolls and a rich Civil War history.
9. Sherwood Forest Plantation
First mentioned in 1616, it was the home of the 10th U.S. President John Tyler from 1842 until his death in 1862. Ther is the longest frame house in America (ca 1720), a classic example of Virginia Tidewater design.
Photos
one of many basement photo opportunities
picture of the first distillery
Terraced gardens leading to the James River
Ron & Kim Lushbaugh, 10 September 1994
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