Tours
Come walk the grounds where President James Madison drew his first breath. Take in the grounds where James Madison’s mother, Eleanor Rose “Nelly” Conway Madison was born, grew up and returned to have James. Walk through the mansion that Union soldiers forced a family from to take it as a Union Headquarters. Stand in the bowling green where Union soldiers set up camp. View where John Wilkes Booth rode the ferry across the Rappahannock River on the way to Garrett’s Farm. Learn about the Union detachment pursuing John Wilkes Booth stopping to rest, eat and sleep at the plantation. Stand in the Grand Hallway where one of those officers slept.
As you walk through Belle Grove Plantation’s mansion, you will feel instantly transported back with our period antiques. Each room is filled with antiques that reflect a time in the history of this grand Southern plantation.
Our collection was started in April 2013 and has continued to grow. From pieces that were found in antique shopping trips to antique auction, each piece tells us a story of the past. Our collection include very special donated pieces from individuals who wish their pieces to be a part of this very grand landmark. Each of these donated pieces from our candelabras in the parlor to the pewter chess set in the library have come to us with very unique stories that will live on as part of Belle Grove Plantation.
Our tours are a guided 45 minutes to 1 hour tour through the mansion. All rooms are open with the exception of those that are occupied by overnight guests or event spaces during that time. Grounds are open for self guided viewing with restrictions on the Caretakers home.
$15.00 – Adults
$10.00 – Children under 12
Free – Children under 4
Tickets are sold at the mansion. They may be purchased with a credit card or by exact cash. We do not maintain cash in the mansion.
While Belle Grove Plantation is a historic site and bed and breakfast, the mansion is also a private residence. We do not allow individuals to enter and wander around the mansion unaccompanied. The grounds are open only during tour hours. We would love to have you come and visit, but please respect our home and hours.
Belle Grove Plantation does strive to provide the best possible accessibility to the mansion and grounds to meet our visitors’ diverse abilities and needs. However tours at Belle Grove Plantation do involve a fair amount of standing, walking, and stairs. Chairs are provided within rooms for those that can not stand.
Belle Grove Plantation Mansion and Grounds Tours will be closed in for the following dates due to Private Events or Holidays.
Wednesday, August 28th – Private Event – Homeschool Summer Series – Preservation and Colonial Cooking
Saturday, October 12th – Private Event
Saturday, October 19th to Friday, November 1st -Special Event – Haunted Hotel
Thursday, November 28th – Thanksgiving
Monday, December 1st to Friday, December 6th – Closed to Deck the Halls
Tuesday, December 24th and Wednesday, December 25th – Christmas
Saturday, December 28th – Private Event
Tuesday, December 31st and Wednesday, January 1st – New Years
Belle Grove Plantation will reopen on the next normal tour date.
Private Events can be adding at anytime. Please check our website before you come to visit for any updated dates. Thank you.
James Madison, George Washington and many more have walked these grounds. From the beginning history of America, Belle Grove Plantation has stood witness to it all. Touched by colonial expansion from Europe and by Civil War, Belle Grove Plantation has played a part in the creation of a nation.
Belle Grove Plantation offers group tours for 20 or less people.
$10.00 – for groups of 10 or more (minimum – 10)
Please email us at information@bellegroveplantation.com to schedule you group tour. We ask for at least two weeks advance reservations for groups.
Sharing the history of Belle Grove Plantation with students helps a new generation to come to understand what life was like at Belle Grove Plantation.
At this time, we are working on creating a program to offer a view into the life on a Southern Plantation.
We hope to offer this soon.