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Off the beaten track of Williamsburg, Va: Sherwood Forest

Updated: May 28, 2023

Last visited 4/22

We stayed at Wyndham Williamsburg Kingsgate


We visited Sherwood Forest over Easter weekend, and were the only visitors there for the two hours we visited. I would imagine that tourist season would see an uptick in visitors, so plan wisely. It is about 30 minutes from Williamsburg and works on a good faith donation of $5 a person. There are guided tours of the main house that need to be booked in advance. Find more information here: http://www.sherwoodforest.org/


One of Nathan's bucket list desires is/was to visit all of the homes of the presidents, something that he probably regrets telling me now. So, I packed him up and we headed to Sherwood Forest. Sherwood Forest is the family home of the 10th U.S. President John Tyler from 1842 until his death in 1862. It has been the continuous residence of the Tyler family since 1842. Besides its fame of being the president's home, it is also the longest frame house in America at over 300 feet long.


Grab yourself a self-guided pamphlet, and start down the long pebbled walk way that gradually opens to the frontage of the home.

Approaching the house allows the view to gradually open up through the large trees on the property

The main house is a great example of tidewater architecture



Take advantage of walking the grounds. There were many beautiful flowering bushes on the property and the spring flowers were in full bloom when we were there. It is considered one of the most complete plantation yards left in America, dating from c. 1680. Take a quick visit to the pet cemetery (not the Steven King type), where you can see all of the animal companions that the family has had over the years. You can even see the burial place of "The General", Tyler's beloved horse.

The pet cemetery

Just one of the beautiful garden views

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