Historic Garden Week in Virginia on Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay 
Each spring, Virginia opens its garden gates for one of the nation’s most beloved home and garden tours. Organized by the Garden Club of Virginia, Historic Garden Week invites visitors to explore private landscapes, historic homes, and remarkable properties rarely open to the public.
Along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, the week takes on a distinctly coastal charm. Waterfront estates, blooming cottage gardens, and centuries-old architecture sit against tidal views and quiet creeks, creating a relaxed and scenic touring experience unique to Virginia’s Middle Peninsula.
Guests staying at The Inn at Tabbs Creek enjoy a peaceful home base between tours—returning from a day of exploration to unwind by the water, stroll our gardens, and take in the serene creekside views that define this special corner of Virginia.
2026 Gloucester & Mathews Historic Garden Week Tour
The Gloucester–Mathews tour will take place Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, featuring four distinctive private homes and gardens along the region’s waterways.
This year’s tour highlights historic and waterfront properties, including a home built by George Washington’s great-great-grandfather on the Severn River, a 19th-century residence on Wilson Creek, and two Piankatank River homes showcasing 20th-century coastal architecture and gardens.
Historic Garden Week statewide runs April 18–25, 2026, with tours across Virginia’s most beautiful landscapes and historic sites.
Other Notable Stops While Touring the Area
Visitors exploring during Garden Week can also enjoy several beloved Middle Peninsula landmarks:
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Brent and Becky’s Bulbs – Eight acres of display gardens arranged in themed “rooms,” celebrating plants suited to the Chesapeake Bay region.
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New Point Comfort Lighthouse – The third-oldest standing lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay.
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Bay School Community Arts Center – A vibrant arts hub often featuring local artists and exhibits during spring events.
Mathews County itself is known for historic villages, wildlife preserves, beaches, and scenic waterfront drives—perfect for a relaxed spring outing between garden stops.
Make It a Garden Getaway
Spring on the Chesapeake Bay brings warming temperatures, blooming landscapes, and a full calendar of outdoor experiences. Mathews’ Saturday Farmers Market returns each April on the historic Court Green, adding another charming stop to a Garden Week weekend.
Stay with us at the Inn during Historic Garden Week and enjoy the tours by day, then return to relax by the creek, wander our gardens, gather around an outdoor fire, or curl up inside with a book.
👉 [Check availability at The Inn at Tabbs Creek]
👉 [Learn more or purchase Garden Week tickets]
