Berkeley Plantation is the best reason to drive Route 5, the scenic road that follows the James River between Williamsburg and Richmond. About 30 miles from Williamsburg, it packs a remarkable amount of American history into one riverside estate. Settlers sent by the Berkeley Company gave thanks here on 4 December 1619, which Virginians point to as a Thanksgiving before the Pilgrims reached Plymouth. The Harrison family built the main house, completed in 1726 by Benjamin Harrison IV, and it was the birthplace of William Henry Harrison, the ninth president, whose grandson Benjamin Harrison became the twenty-third. Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, inherited the estate in 1745. During the Civil War the house served as a hospital, a cannonball mark remains on the second floor, and in the summer of 1862 the bugle call Taps was first played here when General McClellan’s army camped at Harrison’s Landing. A guided tour in the company of a costumed docent covers the main house, and the terraced boxwood gardens run down toward the river. It is a quieter, more personal experience than the big Historic Triangle sites, and a good counterweight to them.
How it works
The plantation is at 12602 Harrison Landing Road in Charles City, off Route 5, also called the John Tyler Memorial Highway. From Williamsburg, take Route 5 west for about 30 miles and the entrance is on the left, followed by a gravel road to the house. Tours of the mansion are led by a guide, and the visit usually begins at the gift shop, a former guest house. Admission is charged, and published prices and hours vary by season, so check the plantation’s website for the current figures before you set out.
What to expect
The tour covers the long central hallway and the main rooms of the house, and photography is not allowed inside the main house. Beneath the house a small museum, where photos are allowed, holds items such as a spinning wheel, a loom and the bugle associated with Taps. A short film plays in the Coach House. Outside, a path of about a quarter of a mile leads through rose gardens and terraced boxwoods to the river, with a plaque and recording at the Taps site.
Two recreated cabins and the story of the enslaved people who lived and worked here are part of the interpretation, which makes this more than a house tour. Allow time to walk the grounds as well as the house.
Making the most of it
Give it a half day, and combine it with Sherwood Forest Plantation, the home of President John Tyler, a few miles along the same road. The drive itself is part of the appeal, so go in daylight, bring a camera for the gardens and check the hours first, because winter days are shorter. If you are short of time, Berkeley is the one to choose, since its stories tie most closely to the Revolutionary and Civil War history you will see elsewhere in the Historic Triangle.
Read a little about the Harrison family beforehand and the tour will mean more, and take time at the river end of the garden path, where the view gives a sense of why the James was the highway of colonial Virginia.
What to expect
The experience
A guided tour of an 18th-century mansion, a small museum under the house and a walk through terraced gardens to the James River.
Best time
A clear day, early enough to allow a house tour, the gardens and the drive back along Route 5 in daylight.
How long
Two to three hours including the drive within the site and time in the gardens.
Tips
Check hours and admission on the plantation’s website, remember that photography is not allowed inside the main house, and wear shoes for gravel and grass.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers who want a personal, off-the-beaten-path stop that links the Revolution, the presidency and the Civil War.
- Families
- Best for school-age children who can follow a guided house tour, with plenty of space to roam outside afterwards.
- Couples
- A scenic drive, garden walk and river views make it one of the most romantic outings in the area.
- Pair with
- Sherwood Forest Plantation on the same road, then Colonial Williamsburg or Jamestown on another day.
- Time needed
- Half a day, including the drive from Williamsburg.
Good questions
How far is Berkeley Plantation from Williamsburg?+
It is about 30 miles away. Take Route 5 west, the John Tyler Memorial Highway, and the entrance is on the left at 12602 Harrison Landing Road in Charles City.
What is Berkeley Plantation famous for?+
It is the home of the Harrison family, with two presidents among their descendants, a claimed site of a Thanksgiving in 1619 and the place where the bugle call Taps was first played in 1862.
Can I take photos inside the house?+
Photography is not allowed in the main house, but you can take photos in the small museum beneath it and throughout the gardens and grounds.
Do I need to book Berkeley Plantation in advance?+
Check the plantation’s website for current hours, admission and any booking requirements before you go, because winter hours are shorter than summer ones.
Can I visit another plantation on the same trip?+
Yes. Sherwood Forest Plantation, the home of President John Tyler, is on the same road, and the two make a good half-day drive from Williamsburg.
