City: Mcclellanville, SC

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (843) 546-9361

Address: 1950 Rutledge Rd.

Description: Southwest of Georgetown, Hampton Plantation is not technically a part of the stretch of real estate we call the Grand Strand. However, Hampton offers a peek at one of the most impressive restored plantation homes in South Carolina and, therefore, is well worth the short drive.Adjacent to the Santee River, this 322-acre property was once a coastal rice plantation and last served as the home of Archibald Rutledge, noted writer and South Carolina poet laureate. The state purchased the property from Mr. Rutledge in 1971.A National Historic Landmark, the Hampton mansion stands as the centerpiece of the park and is a monument to the state’s glorious rice empire. The mansion’s colossal Adam-style portico is one of the finest and earliest examples of its kind in all of North America, while its interior—purposely unfurnished—highlights the structure’s design and construction. Cutaway sections of walls and ceilings exhibit the building’s evolution from a simple farmhouse to a grand mansion. Exposed timber framing, hand-carved mantels, and delicately wrought hinges and hardware reveal the 18th-century builder’s craft.The grounds surrounding the mansion offer a unique opportunity to examine the wildlife of the Carolina Lowcountry. Cypress swamps, abandoned rice fields, and pine and hardwood forests are home to a staggering variety of flora and fauna. From the massive live oaks to the wildflowers and shrubs, Hampton Plantation is a naturalist’s and photographer’s delight in every season.In addition to the beautiful home, the park includes a picnic area and marked nature trails.Park hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, year-round. From Labor Day to Memorial Day, mansion hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Thurs through Mon. Admission to the plantation grounds is free; house tours are $4 for ages 16 and older, $3 for children 6 to 15, and free for South Carolina senior citizens and kids age 5 and younger. Guided tours are offered at no extra charge. House tours are held on the hour Thurs through Mon at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.