Stratford Hall Beach
Stratford Hall, Great House Road, Stratford, VA, USA
Grounds open daily: 10:00am to 5:00pm
$$
fun-paid-activities, outdoor-adventures, road-trips
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Fossil finders! Hunt for shark teeth along the peaceful shoreline of Stratford Hall Beach.
The Stratford Hall grounds are absolutely stunning. We love visiting the gardens and then driving straight back to the beach. It is never crowded, and always idyllic, with a unique serenity. During our last visit, we completed the self-guided tour of the Stratford Hall Plantation before visiting the beach.
On the way to the beach, which is less than five minutes from the plantation, we saw many people hiking and biking. My kiddos are too young for taking on that much distance on bikes, but this would be a great option for more experienced cyclists. The cliffs on the way to the beach offer an absolutely breathtaking view of the entire beach area.
The grounds pass is $8/adults, and $5 for kids under age 13, if you wish to skip the plantation tour. The grounds pass gives you access to the trails, gardens and the beach. Tickets may be purchased online in advance. The beach was by far the best part of our Stratford Hall visit for our children, ages three and seven. The space is vast, and there were only a couple other families here. My family had a blast searching for shark teeth. This area is known for having a trove of shark teeth, so the children were quite successful in finding lots of them along the shoreline. I recommend packing a sifter, bucket and shovel to make this process easier and more fun for the kids.
Additionally, the kids loved playing in the sand (pack sand toys), and spotting wildlife, including the most adorable baby turtle! When your crew is ready for a snack or lunch break, there are picnic tables at the parking area by the beach. No swimming is allowed at the beach, but pack a change of clothes as your shark hunting kiddos are sure to get wet! Bathrooms are at the Visitor's Center, a short drive away.
After playing at Stratford Hall's Beach, we visited my history loving husband's favorite spot, George Washington's birthplace, which is about ten minutes away. In addition to history at this National Park, there is another beach, hiking, and farm animals to visit.