The warmth and light of spring is upon us! One of the best places on Rhode Island to experience the blossoming of the season is Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum!
Blithewold is a 33-acre estate overlooking Narragansett Bay in Bristol. It is considered one of the best remaining examples of the Country Place Era and the Arts and Crafts movement.
Established in 1894, the estate remains largely unchanged since its heyday and opens seasonally to the public. The estate’s 45-room mansion still contains the family heirlooms and is surrounded by a series of lovely and unusual gardens and plantings.
The estate provides seasonal tours of the home and gardens, as well as hosting a variety of special events. Guided tours tell the story of the original owners of the estate. You’ll see each garden, the summerhouse, bamboo grove, and the greenhouse complex.
Blithewold Gardens
While the historic mansion is lovely and definitely worth your attention, in spring, it’s the gardens that will really catch your eye.
The estate contains a number of special gardens and spaces. There’s a Rose Garden dating from the early 1900s, the North Garden, Water Garden, Idea Garden, Rock Garden, Pollinator Garden, and Vegetable Garden. There is also a Bamboo Grove, planted in the 1930’s, an eclectic mix of tropical plants in the Lord and Burnham Greenhouses, and Lovers’ Lane to explore.
Gateway To Spring
Each April, Blithewold opens its gates for the season and unfurls their annual daffodil display. More than 50,000 daffodils cover the 33-acre seaside estate for nearly a full month. It is truly a glorious site – but the daffodils are just the beginning!
All through May, a huge variety of blossoms will come into their own. You’ll see Magnolia, Spirea, Lily of the Valley, Trillium, Ferns, Lupines, Japanese Snowbell, Violas, and Forget-Me-Nots to name but a few varieties.
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
101 Ferry Road, Bristol, Rhode Island 02809
Open from the first week of April through mid-October. Visit the Blithewold website for more information. You can also follow the estate on Twitter and Facebook.
But wait – Blithewold isn’t the only place on Rhode Island to view daffodils in spring. Not by along shot!
Newport Daffodil Days Festival 2019
The 6th annual Newport Daffodil Days Festival will see over 860,000 daffodils covering Newport in a carpet of color. Come join in the fun and celebrate the return of spring: April 13th through the 21st, 2019 in Newport, Rhode Island!
Newport Lodging
As always, your best bet for Rhode Island accommodations is a locally owned and operated Newport County Inn. A stay at a Newport County bed and breakfast provides top-shelf amenities, delicious breakfasts, and personalized service. Plus, your Newport County B&B can help you to find all the best in Newport attractions. Book your Rhode Island getaway today at a Newport County Inn!