Garden week (VA) last week April?
Jan 20th, 2004 | 10:49 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,324
Likes: 4
Which part of Virginia are you referring to?
I can comment on those in Alexandria and the Williamsburg areas. The homes and gardens in Alexandria are typically privately owned historic homes with walled gardens. I've been twice and enjoyed it immensely altho I admit to being a little uneasy about gawking through someone's residence even if it is an architecturally fascinating 18th C. house.
In the Wmbg, area, I've toured the Plantation Homes along the James River and Rt 5. I would recommend this as many of these places (interior and exteriors) are only open during Garden Week. I'm not as big a fan of what's shown in Williamsburg itself, as the homes offered in the last few years are new properties, usually overly landscaped McMansions. I'm biased towards the historical. The gardens in Colonial Williamsburg are typically beautiful at the end of April (weather cooperating of course).
HTH
I can comment on those in Alexandria and the Williamsburg areas. The homes and gardens in Alexandria are typically privately owned historic homes with walled gardens. I've been twice and enjoyed it immensely altho I admit to being a little uneasy about gawking through someone's residence even if it is an architecturally fascinating 18th C. house.
In the Wmbg, area, I've toured the Plantation Homes along the James River and Rt 5. I would recommend this as many of these places (interior and exteriors) are only open during Garden Week. I'm not as big a fan of what's shown in Williamsburg itself, as the homes offered in the last few years are new properties, usually overly landscaped McMansions. I'm biased towards the historical. The gardens in Colonial Williamsburg are typically beautiful at the end of April (weather cooperating of course).
HTH
Jan 20th, 2004 | 05:58 PM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
http://www.vagardenweek.org/
I think this is what you are looking for. I went a few years back and found it very enjoyable. Crowded, but enjoyable.
Ellen
I think this is what you are looking for. I went a few years back and found it very enjoyable. Crowded, but enjoyable.
Ellen
Jan 20th, 2004 | 06:42 PM
#4
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 7
Some of the homes in the older sections of Richmond are fun to see. I like the Fan District, the Boulevard, and the neighborhoods off River Rd. I like viewing the homes in Richmond better than Williamsburg but IMHO the floral arrangements were more creative in the Williamsburg homes. It depends on what you like. The homes toured in Gloucester have always sounded interesting but I haven't had the chance to see them.
Jan 20th, 2004 | 08:58 PM
#5
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
Go to the website already posted and click on schedule. I highly recommend some of the smaller rural counties, a bit less crowded and some real treasures to be found. Highly recommended: Lancaster County tour on Wed April 21, and Middle Peninsula: Essex county on April 23. I have done the Albemarle-Charlottesville tour a few years back and loved it. There are different houses open every year which makes it fun! Check back closer to the date, there is nothing listed for Gloucester-mathews and I can't believe it, they have something EVERY year - but maybe they decided to not participate this year because of Hurricane Isabel. There is still a lot of damage there in the form of downed trees, damaged buildings, etc from the hurricane.
