The Countryside of Philadelphia
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The Countryside of Philadelphia
Throughout the Countryside of Philadelphia you can visit charming small towns; sample delicious cuisine and local wine, beers and spirits; try some outdoor adventure, with golf, hiking, biking, kayaking, zip-lining and hot-air ballooning; and experience the history behind the founding of the nation. The area is also home to many world-class gardens, earning it the title of ‘America’s Garden Capital’.
Amidst Brandywine Valley’s rolling hills are beautiful studs and American historic sites. Enhance your stay by visiting the
Brandywine Battlefield (site of the largest Revolutionary War engagement), watch matches and more at the Brandywine Polo
Club or explore the nearby Valley Forge National Historical Park. The town of Valley Forge is west of downtown Philadelphia and is most often remembered as the site of George Washington’s winter encampment of 1777-1778 where the army was based when they won the American Revolution.
The King of Prussia Mall is the largest shopping complex on the East Coast and has fantastic tax-free shopping. A visit to Philadelphia Premium Outlets in Limerick is also a must.
Gardens
Longwood Gardens, created by Pierre S. du Pont in 1906, is an international centre of horticultural excellence covering 1,050
acres. The conservatory was styled after the glasshouses at Kew, and houses a lush world of exotic flowers, cacti, bromeliads, ferns and bonsai. Explore the Italian Water Garden, Flower Garden Walk, aquatic display gardens, Pierce’s Woods and many more. There are also tours of the Pierre du Pont residence.
Morris Arboretum
was created by John and Lydia Morris and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has over 12,000 plants including maples, magnolias, azaleas, roses, hollies and conifers. Some of them are among the largest of their kind in North America while others are exceedingly rare.
Chanticleer
is also known as A Pleasure Garden, and one of the most romantic and imaginative in America. Visit the house and grounds – enjoy the tropical plants at the Teacup Garden, the hardy perennials of the Pond Garden and the shady areas of the Asian Woods or Bells Woodland.
Nemours Mansion and Gardens
was the country estate of Alfred L du Pont. A French style mansion built in the 18th Century with exquisite gardens.
Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library
was founded by Henry Francis du Pont. The museum is one of the finest for American decorative arts and there is a beautiful 60 acre garden.
The Tyler Arboretum
is one of the oldest and largest arboreta in the America. Open year round, Tyler encompasses 650 acres and 17 miles of hiking trails.
The Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens
has a diverse collection of rhododendrons and azaleas from around the world.
Hagley Museum and Library
is where the du Pont’s fascinating story begins, and is set along the Brandywine River in 235 scenic acres.
Wine and more
The Brandywine Valley Wine Trail is made up of six beautiful estatevineyards and wineries where you can enjoy tasting the delicious wines – there are wine tastings at Black Walnut Winery, Borderland Vineyard, Kreutz Creek Vineyards, Paradocx Vineyard, Patone Cellars and Penns Woods Winery.
The Bryn Athyn Historic District is a National Historic Landmark District encompassing an important collection of Arts and Crafts movement architecture, as well as the Glencairn Museum which showcases 8000 pieces of art, in the Romanesque former home of a billionaire industrialist. You can also admire the spectacular views from the nine-story tower.
Suggested Itineraries
Suggested Accommodation
Inn at Whitewing FarmModerateFrom £132 per room per night
Whitewing Farm is hidden on a country road, quietly nested in the historic Brandwine Valley adjacent to the world-renowned Longwood Gardens and just minutes away from Winterthur and Brandywine River Museum.
The 1700s farmhouse provides breathtaking panoramic views, a fully stocked pond, exquisite grounds as well as a tennis court. Choose from generously sized guest rooms and suites, which are separated from the farmhouse. Rooms and suites have either a king or queen-sized bed dressed with hand-made pillows and bedding ensembles done in a rich, hunt county elegance.
Faunbrook Bed and BreakfastInnFrom £133 per room per night
Established in 1860, the Faunbrook is a Victorian inn set atop a hill overlooking the wooded 2-acre Brandywine Valley property. This B&B is also conveniently located just 30 miles west of Philadelphia and one mile from downtown West Chester.
Choose between seven different guest rooms, including two suites with fireplaces. The B&B also boasts large common areas, including a library, and also has an outdoor space with a wrap-around porch and brick patio.
