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Bacons Castle

The brick house is Jacobean and became known as Bacon's Castle because it was occupied and fortified by followers of Nathaniel Bacon during the rebellion of 1676. The garden was the focus of an extensive archaeological investigation by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities and the Garden Club of Virginia. The seventeenth century garden has been recreated and planted only with varieties grown in the late seventeenth century.

Head Gardener's Comment

Welcome to Preservation Virginia's Bacon's Castle 17th-century English Formal Garden - the oldest English Formal Garden in North America!

We are thankful and proud to have the Garden Club of Virginia part of this Garden's past and future. The GCV was instrumental in funding and directing the restoration of the Garden in the late-1980s and continues to provide support and guidance. As Bacon's Castle approaches its 350th Anniversary, we are excited to showcase this rare landscape once more. With three seasons of growth, anytime of the year is a great time to visit the Garden. We look forward to seeing you during Virginia's Annual Garden Week in April. Sincerely, Valerie Balentine, Bacon's Castle's Gardener

Photograph © Christopher Laine
© Chris Malpass Photography
© Chris Malpass Photography
© Chris Malpass Photography
© Chris Malpass Photography

History

The garden at Bacon's Castle is the oldest English Formal Garden in North America and the only garden in US history to be graced on the cover of Time Magazine. Once again we look forward to showcasing this very rare garden based on Droitwich, England examples during the 350th Anniversary celebration of Bacon's Castle.

Plants of note

Pomegranate, Scaly Bark Watermelon, Okra, Lemon Thyme, Rosemary, Mullein, Lambs Ear, Pecan, Apple, Grape, Hawthorne, Hops, Figs, Gourds, Sweet Potato, Cherokee Rose, lawns, red clover, poppies, onions, eggplants

465 Bacon's Castle Trail, Surry, Virginia, USA, VA 23883

Garden and Grounds accessible daily from Dawn to Dusk.

No admission fee to the Garden. Suggested donation of $5 per person may be deposited at Museum Gift Shop Fridays & Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 12 to 4 p.m. Admission Fees to tour the Castle Museum vary. Please inquire to museum tours days and hours of operation.

Visit the Bacons Castle website

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