Middleton Place Review

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Middleton Place

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.1/5

Fodor's Review:

Blooms of all seasons form floral allées (alleys) along terraced lawns, and around ornamental lakes shaped like butterfly wings. Much of the year, the landscaped gardens, begun in 1741, are ablaze with camellia, magnolia, azalea, and rose blossoms. A large part of the mansion was destroyed during the Civil War, but the gentlemen's wing has been restored and houses impressive collections of silver, furniture, paintings, and historic documents. In the stable yard craftspeople use authentic tools to demonstrate spinning, weaving, and other skills from the plantation era. Farm animals, peacocks, and other creatures roam freely. The Middleton Place Restaurant serves Lowcountry specialties for lunch and dinner. It has a cozy character, a real sense of history, and is a charming, tranquil spot. (You do not have to pay admission to have dinner, and dinner guests can walk the grounds between 5 until dusk.) There is also a delightful museum gift shop that carries local arts, crafts, and souvenirs; a garden shop sells rare seedlings. You can sign up for kayak, bike, wagon, or carriage rides. Finally, you can stay overnight at the contemporary Middleton Inn, where floor-to-ceiling windows splendidly frame the Ashley River.

  • Cost: Grounds $25, house tour $10, carriage tours $15; all-inclusive day-pass $45
  • Open: Grounds daily 9-5; house tours Tues.-Sun. 10-4:30, Mon. noon-4:30
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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by bachslunch from US on 3/31/09
Big sprawling Ashley River plantation with expansive and somewhat formal gardens. The house (partly rebuilt after the Civil War) is nice enough and has several personal items and furnishings, seen via a tour that's short but informative. The gardens are extensive and splendid (has an allied tour), and there are several out-buildings. House and carriage tours cost extra. Well worth a visit.

Member Rating: 4.4
Ratings details: Experience: 5.0 Ease: 4.0 Value: 4.0 Don't Miss: 4.0

Reviewed by cbr from Florida on 7/31/08
We visited Middleton as part of the Heritage pass. It only allowed the property which was fine since we had seen many homes. It is a beautiful property but very expensive to visit. There were no guides or people in the garden area to ask questions. A few were available in the farm area. With such a high fee we expected more.

Member Rating: 3.8
Ratings details: Experience: 4.0 Ease: 5.0 Value: 3.0 Don't Miss: 3.0
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