Charles City County brings together historic homes and plantations with waterside nature experiences. Located between Williamsburg and Richmond, the county lies along the Route 5 Scenic Byway and the Virginia Capital Trail. Its various destinations each have their own character: here you can explore architecture and history, while elsewhere the focus is on trails, river views and birdwatching.
Between the River and Nature
The Virginia Capital Trail is 51.7 miles long, fully paved and designed as a multi-use trail; it runs through Charles City County. The Virginia 5&Dime Route also passes through the county. It is a scenic driving route with special stops for visitors.
On the James River, Lawrence Lewis, Jr. Park is a 24-acre area with a fishing and birdwatching pier, a short boardwalk through the swamp, a wooded trail and a boat ramp. Eagles, great blue herons and other water birds live in the park. Its features draw attention to different aspects of the grounds: the river, the wetlands and the wooded trail.
Mowed trails at Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area invite visitors to hike, and the area is also suitable for wildlife viewing. Ospreys and bald eagles are often spotted along the bluffs of the Chickahominy River and within the area. Fishing and wildlife viewing are among the activities offered at Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery. Nature here can be experienced on trails, by watching wildlife or by fishing.
Plantations, Homes and Local History
The present-day mansion at Berkeley Plantation was built by Benjamin Harrison IV in 1726. Daily costumed tours are offered in the Georgian mansion, and its gardens overlook the James River. President John Tyler lived with his family at Sherwood Forest from 1842 until his death in 1862. Kittewan, meanwhile, is a mid-sized colonial plantation house overlooking marshy Kittewan Creek. These places differ both in their architecture and in the stories associated with them.
Piney Grove at Southall’s Plantation is a museum of history and folk architecture. The gardens, grounds and nature trail are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for self-guided visits. The Charles City County Visitor Center, housed in the county’s historic 1901 Clerk’s Office, offers another perspective on local history. Four interactive outdoor exhibits cover the historic Charles City courthouse and battles there during the American Revolutionary War and the Civil War.
Traditions, Farm Tours and Dining
The annual Chickahominy Fall Festival and Pow-wow tradition began in 1951. Traditional dancing is a central part of every Chickahominy Pow-wow. At Historic Peace Hill Farm, you can take free self-guided farm tours; guided tours are also available, allowing visitors to enter the enclosures and pastures and see the animals up close. When weather permits, the Sunday dinner experience may include an optional hayride.
Market 5 is located directly on the Virginia Capital Trail and makes a good stop for local food and shops on a tour by bicycle or another two-wheeler. This visitor destination includes shops, food and other experiences in repurposed shipping containers. Indian Fields Tavern offers a different experience, serving American bistro cuisine in a rustic farmhouse setting. The grounds also include a tasting room for 5 Fields Brewery.
Practical Information
Charles City Courthouse is one of the free parking areas along the Virginia Capital Trail; there is also a public restroom there. If you plan to visit at a particular time, it is advisable to check the details of the relevant offerings in advance.
Discover more destinations: Charles City, York County, Lancaster County, Emporia, Amherst County, Frederick County, Henry County, Halifax.
See the main travel overview: Virginia.
