Sherwood Forest Plantation is a presidential home that remains in the Tyler family, and it is a rewarding stop for anyone who has had their fill of the big Williamsburg sites. John Tyler, a native of Charles City County, bought a farmhouse and 900 acres called The Grove in 1842, renamed it Sherwood Forest and made it his retirement home after leaving the White House as the tenth president. The house is described as America’s longest frame house, a long, low building stretched across the lawn, and it is furnished with Tyler heirlooms, antiques and more than twenty family portraits. The story it tells follows Tyler from Virginia lawyer to president, and the site also addresses the history of slavery on the plantation. The grounds are the easiest way in: terraced lawns, gardens and centuries-old trees can be explored on your own at a self-pay kiosk, with no booking needed. The house itself is a more deliberate visit, because tours are by appointment and need advance notice, so decide early which version of the trip you want.
How it works
The plantation is at 14501 John Tyler Memorial Highway in Charles City, along Route 5 between Williamsburg and Richmond. According to the plantation’s website, the grounds are open daily from 9am to 5pm from March to October and 10am to 4pm from November to February, and they are closed on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and 24 to 26 December and 31 December.
Grounds admission is charged per adult, with children under 18 free, and is paid at a kiosk. House tours cost more, run Wednesday through Monday and are not offered on Tuesdays.
What to expect
House tours must be reserved through the website’s request form at least a week ahead for parties of two or more, and solo travelers may be placed with other parties. Dates and times are limited, so do not turn up hoping for a tour. Photography is allowed outdoors for personal use but not inside the house, and pets, smoking and bicycles are not permitted. The website does not describe accessibility, so contact the plantation in advance if you need to know about steps or paths.
Making the most of it
If you can plan a week ahead, book the house tour and then wander the grounds at your own pace. If you cannot, the grounds alone are still worth an hour, particularly for the old trees and the sense of scale of the house from the lawn. Combine it with Berkeley Plantation, a few miles along the same road, for a satisfying half-day of James River history, and allow extra time for the drive in November and December, when daylight ends early.
Bring a camera for the lawns and the old trees, wear shoes that cope with grass, and remember that the self-pay kiosk accepts several payment methods, so you do not need to carry exact change. If you are traveling with a larger group of ten or more, ask the plantation about custom tours, which run about two hours.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk around terraced lawns and old trees, with an optional guided house tour by appointment.
Best time
A mild day between Wednesday and Monday, with a house tour booked at least a week ahead.
How long
About an hour for the grounds, longer with a house tour.
Tips
Reserve house tours through the website well in advance, do not expect to join one on arrival, and note that photos are not allowed inside the house.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers who want a presidential home that is still a family property, away from the main crowds.
- Families
- The grounds suit all ages, but the house tour is best for older children. Pets and bicycles are not allowed.
- Couples
- A peaceful, scenic walk among old trees, ideal after a day of busier sites.
- Pair with
- Berkeley Plantation on the same road, and the Colonial Parkway on the drive back.
- Time needed
- One to two hours, plus the drive from Williamsburg.
Good questions
Can I tour the house at Sherwood Forest Plantation?+
Yes, by appointment. Tours run Wednesday through Monday, must be requested through the website at least a week ahead, and are not offered on Tuesdays.
Can I just walk the grounds?+
Yes. The grounds are self-guided and open daily, with admission paid at a kiosk and children under 18 free. This does not include the inside of the house.
What are the opening hours?+
From March to October the grounds open from 9am to 5pm, and from November to February from 10am to 4pm. It is closed on several holidays, so check the website for your date.
Who lived at Sherwood Forest?+
John Tyler, the tenth president of the United States, bought the property in 1842 and retired here. The house remains in his family.
Is photography allowed?+
Photography is allowed outdoors for personal use but not inside the house. Pets, smoking and bicycles are not permitted.
