Surry County, Virginia

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Surry County, Virginia

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HAMPTON ROADS

Surry County, Virginia

James River landscapes, rural communities, and layered Indigenous, colonial, agricultural, and African American history on Virginia’s south shore.

Region
Hampton Roads

Type
County

Landscape
James River shore and rural farmland

Known for
Historic sites, farms, and the Jamestown–Scotland Ferry

Surry County pairs a quiet rural setting on the south side of the James River with a history closely tied to the early English settlement at Jamestown. The county was formed in 1652 from part of James City County; its history also includes the Quiyoughcohannock and other Indigenous peoples, whose homelands preceded English settlement.

Visitors come for historic houses and landscapes, outdoor time along the river, and locally rooted farms and food. The Jamestown–Scotland Ferry links Surry with Jamestown across the James, making the county a possible addition to a Historic Triangle trip; check current ferry service and attraction details before setting out.

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Why visit Surry County?

Surry is a rewarding detour for travelers interested in Virginia’s early history beyond the better-known sites across the river. Its historic places tell more than one story: Indigenous communities and their descendants, colonial settlement, Bacon’s Rebellion, plantation agriculture, and the lives and labor of enslaved people all belong to the county’s history.

The pace is rural rather than resort-like. Plan around a small number of widely spaced destinations, with time for a historic site, a park visit, or a farm- and food-focused drive. Surry County Tourism lists attractions, cultural trails, and regional driving routes to help shape an itinerary.

What to see and do

Chippokes State Park

Explore a James River park where agricultural history, historic buildings, exhibits about enslaved people, and outdoor recreation meet. The property has been farmed since 1619; check Virginia State Parks for current conditions, programs, and access information.

Bacon’s Castle

Built by Arthur Allen in 1665, this brick house is associated with Nathaniel Bacon’s Rebellion of 1676 and is noted for its Jacobean architecture. Check with the site for current visiting arrangements before traveling.

Smith’s Fort Plantation

Visit a historic property whose story spans an attempted early fort, a later manor house, and ownership by Black families during Reconstruction. The site is maintained by Preservation Virginia; confirm tour availability and access details ahead of time.

Surry County Cultural Trail

Use this self-guided driving trail to encounter Indigenous and African American history, local farms, and community stories. The county’s VA250 committee describes the project as an effort to bring forward histories and experiences that have been under-documented.

Historic Courthouse Complex

Surry County Tourism highlights the courthouse complex among local attractions and notes the preservation of original county records dating to 1652. Check ahead to learn what areas or exhibits are open to visitors.

Gray’s Creek and local farm stops

Tourism listings include boating and paddling opportunities at Gray’s Creek, as well as farms, markets, and a food-focused driving route. Confirm seasonal operations, access, and reservations directly with individual businesses.

History and character

The area now called Surry County was home to Indigenous communities, including the Quiyoughcohannock, before English colonists arrived. The county government’s historical account says that settlers sailing up the James River in 1607 first landed near present-day Claremont, before going on to establish Jamestown. Surry was formed in 1652 from part of James City County and named for the English county of Surrey.

The county’s historic landscape reflects both wealth and coercion. Chippokes began operating as a plantation in 1619, and generations of skilled workers on the property were enslaved. Today, the park interprets that history through programs, exhibits, and a memorial. Surry County’s Cultural Trail also shares Black and Indigenous histories and recognizes the legacy of race-based enslavement in the county.

Bacon’s Castle, built in 1665, became associated with Bacon’s Rebellion when it served a fortified role in 1676. Smith’s Fort Plantation tells another strand of the county’s early history, alongside later stories of property, family, and community. Together, these sites make Surry’s past more complex than a single colonial narrative.

Planning a visit

Surry County’s attractions are spread across a rural area, so a car is useful for linking historic sites, parks, farms, and small communities. The Jamestown–Scotland Ferry connects the county with Jamestown across the James River; consult the Virginia Department of Transportation for current service information before relying on the crossing.

Hours, tours, seasonal activities, and access can change. Check directly with individual sites and businesses before visiting, and consult the county tourism site for current event listings, maps, driving routes, and trip-planning information.

Nearby places and attractions

Jamestown, Virginia
Across the river, Jamestown connects Surry’s landscapes and history with the early English settlement and the wider Historic Triangle.

Williamsburg, Virginia
Pair a quieter day in Surry with Williamsburg’s historic sites and museums.

Yorktown, Virginia
Explore another part of the Historic Triangle, known for its Revolutionary War history and waterfront setting.

Smithfield, Virginia
A nearby historic town across the James River region, with additional heritage and food stops.

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References

External links

• Surry County Tourism
• Surry County history
• Virginia State Parks