City: Williamsburg, VA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (804) 829-2480

Address: 16920 Southall Plantation Lane

Description: Piney Grove was built around the year 1800 on the 300-acre Southall’s Plantation, a property that was first occupied by the Chickahominy Indians, and survives as the oldest and best-preserved example of log architecture in southeastern Virginia. In recent years Piney Grove, 8 miles north of Route 5 on Route 623 (which eventually becomes Route 615), has served the public as a beautifully appointed bed-and-breakfast inn. In 1994 the owners introduced a self-guided tour of the plantation grounds, which takes visitors along a splendid nature trail that begins beneath a century-old cedar, meanders around a swimming hole and past a gazebo, and then winds along the edge of a ravine where the trail is canopied by beech, hickory, and white oak trees. A short path leads down into the ravine to Piney Springs, where constantly flowing water eventually funnels into the Chickahominy River. Past the ravine the trail skirts a horse corral and pasture, offering a scenic view of Piney Grove, as well as a view of Moss Side Barn, once part of Southall’s Plantation. The trail ends at Glebe Lane, originally called “The Old Main Road from Barret’s Ferry to Charles City Court House.”A self-guided grounds tour is offered daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a small donation. Guided tours are offered for groups only, with advance reservation.