VCT-JT-36

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Williamsburg, VA, US

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Route Overview

Road-Tested Bike Tours, LLC

Bike tour planning

35 mi.

1,171 ft.

You’re in for a treat! Ride the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry over to Surry County to visit three plantations. Be sure to bring enough water and food with you on this ride. It is highly recommended that you are confident riding on very rural roads.

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Route Details

# JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT - 36 MILES

You’re in for a treat! Ride the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry over to Surry County to visit three plantations, including a castle! All are National Historic Landmarks. Be sure to bring enough water and food with you on this ride as you are cycling in a very rural area.

You’ll start at @poi[Jamestown Settlement](2129275), the Williamsburg @point[endpoint](d,79.91) on the Virginia Capital Trail. Bicycle one mile towards the James River to board the @poi[Jamestown-Scotland Ferry](2129446). It’s free and leaves on the half and top of the hour. You’ll have a scenic twenty minute ride across the James River on the only state-run automobile ferry in Virginia.

After you disembark, there is a @slice[short .3 mile climb](d,5417.39,5792.9) up the riverbank to start your @slice[four and a half mile](d,5853.36,12752.89) journey to Chippokes Plantation State Park. As you enter the park pick up a map and other information from the Park Ranger as the road signage within the park is somewhat limited. There is no park fee for bicyclists.

If you need a rest stop, the @poi[camp store](2097001) is on the @point[road to the first left](d,13526.1) and the @poi[Visitor Center](2097000) is a half mile into the park, at the end of the entrance road.

You’ll continue on Plantation Drive (@point[marked as the Historic Area](d,13771.58)) to begin your journey through one of the oldest working farms in the country. @point[Within a mile](d,15129.78) you’ll see the white wood-framed @poi[River House](2128748) on a hillside to your left. On your right is the @poi[Farm and Forestry Museum](2128747), where you can take a self-guided tour through the restored buildings to learn more about farm life in rural Virginia. Just past the museum and tucked back in the woods is an old, restored saw mill. At the end of Plantation Drive is the main plantation house, the @poi[Jones-Stewart Mansion](2129280), and its outbuildings, which include a brick kitchen and slave quarters.

Next you’ll turn right at the @point[sign for the Equestrian Area & Cabins](d,15695.35) to continue on Chippokes Farm Road. You’ll pass four restored tenant houses, available for overnight lodging.

You’ll @point[leave the Park boundary](d,19432.69) to continue on your way to Bacon’s Castle. The Lower Southwark Church ruins and cemetery, also known as @poi[The Old Brick Church](2128763), is on the Colonial Trail at @point[mile 13](d,20850.49).

A mile later you'll be at the gated entrance leading to @poi[Bacon’s Castle](2129281), the oldest brick dwelling in North America and one of only three remaining high-style Jacobean architectural examples in the Western Hemisphere. Tours are available during operating hours.

@slice[Your next fourteen miles](d,23667,43910.94) are very @poi[rural and peaceful](2129325). You’ll cycle past fields of corn, cotton, peanuts, soybeans, and wheat. Be sure to have enough water and food with you on this section of the ride.
At @point[mile 28](d,44656.31) you’ll enter the Town of Surry. You'll find a market and gas station in town and, if you turn right on the Colonial Trail, there is a convenience and dollar store.

@poi[Smith’s Fort Plantation](2094383), built between 1751 and 1765, is the last plantation you can visit right before @point[mile 30](d,47728.48). It is on land that was part of a fort built in 1609 by Captain John Smith.  Tours are available during operating hours.

Two and half miles later you’ll be back on @poi[Jamestown-Scotland Ferry](2129446) to finish your ride. While on the ferry, look to the right for views of the Historic Jamestown Museum and @poi[the three tall ships at Jamestown Settlement](2094384).
Food, beverages and restrooms are available at Jamestown Settlement.

## Cycling Adventures Along the Virginia Capital Trail

For more adventures, check out my guide book [here](https://roadtestedbiketours.com/virginia-capital-trail-guide-books/)!

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VCT-JT-36

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