Brandon Plantation: is a visit possible - and worthwhile?

I’ve read fine things about Brandon Plantation – eg ';one of the oldest and most magnificent of the James River estates'; with ';superb gardens extending to the river';. But I’m finding it hard to establish what (if anything) visitors can currently see – and, even, where. I thought I had worked out that ‘Lower Brandon’ was what I was interested in – yet I see that there’s also an ‘Upper Brandon’, which itself claims to be (part of?) ';the historic 2200 acre James River Blandon plantation'; but is now a conference centre....

On the assumption that Lower Brandon is indeed what I want, can anyone tell me whether it is presently possible to visit (and when - I%26#39;ll only have a Sunday in the area)? I’ve already Googled a lot, but keep coming up with contradictory or possibly out-of-date answers. I realise that the house itself is (I think!) now a private home and thus generally closed to the public – but I’m more curious about enjoying the grounds, anyway. If, that is, they are worth the detour! (I should probably add that I have previously visited several of the more celebrated sights in the area.)

All/any advice and opinion very welcome….

Brandon Plantation: is a visit possible - and worthwhile?

I wasn%26#39;t familiar with this plantation. My google search turned up some of the same information as yours. It is on the Smithfield/Surry side of the James River.

This site had some contact information: www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/1162290

including the phone number: 766-866-8486.

Have you visited some of the Charles City County plantations, such as Shirley, Berkeley, or Westover? The grounds at Berkeley are beautiful and well worth a stop, if you haven%26#39;t been before.

Brandon Plantation: is a visit possible - and worthwhile?

Many thanks, Zoey1996. I have, in fact, been to Shirley %26amp; Berkeley and enjoyed them both - but Westover would be new to me, so I%26#39;m certainly interested in that idea. Since I%26#39;m especially drawn by the gardens/the setting, I wouldn%26#39;t mind too much that I couldn%26#39;t see inside Westover. But I wonder if you might have an opinion on the grounds at Westover (in comparison, say, to Berkeley)? Or perhaps someone else has a Westover-versus-Lower Brandon view?

Dear CW10, I have not been to the Brandon Plantation, but it sure does sound lovely. I too, love visiting planatations, since we have nothing like that our here in the West. (just cowboys) but I have been to Westover Plantation on two different occassions. The gardens are so beautiful, and the setting is something out of a romance novel. It%26#39;s got that beautiful James River as a back drop, and the outbuildings are so well maintained and just full of wonderful history! We spend hours going through the grounds and the gardens. I have never seen such beauty! Of course the home itself is privately owned and occupied, one can only imagine the beauty that it beholds. I think that it is so gracious that the owners would allow people to come onto their property and view the spectacular scenery. I hope that you don%26#39;t miss seeing this wonderful plantation.

I look forward to viewing the Shirley Plantation when we get the priveledge of coming to Virginia in the fall. Of course my favorite plantation of all so far has been Carter%26#39;s Grove, which was recently purchased by a private party. I am so blessed to have gotten the opportunity to see this place before it was closed down.

I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Many thanks, countrygirl2, for the Westover feedback. It does sound good....

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