When you are thinking about playgrounds and other outdoor play places to enjoy with the family, you might not think about a local garden in Bedford, Virginia. But you should!
Kids of all ages from toddlers to adults will enjoy an afternoon at Wharton Garden, which is located at 309 N. Bridge Street in Bedford, between the Bower Center for the Arts and the Bedford Public Library.
Wharton Garden includes the Children's Literacy Garden, made up of several vignettes with an Alice in Wonderland theme, the Reading Walk, Pollinator Garden, Playhouse, a pergola, and performance stage.
The playhouse includes a little kitchen and seats for young cooks and patrons to enjoy imaginative play as they practice their cooking skills and is surrounded by a deck. Nearby benches allow adults to be close enough to watch without being in the way.
There's a life-sized chess board for kids and adults to play chess with giant chess pieces, including a storage box to keep the chess pieces clean. There are also tunnels to crawl through and structures for climbing and riding.
The Reading Walk allows families to read a book one page at a time while walking along the sidewalk. There are picnic tables to enjoy lunch too.
The gardens are beautiful in any season, but especially spectacular in springtime. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on one of the many benches or inside the pergola.
Wharton Garden isn't just for kids. The gardens are a photographer's delight, with changing colors every season. At lunchtime, you'll find people of all ages enjoying a fresh air lunch with spectacular views.
The mission of Wharton Garden, from the website:
"The Wharton Memorial Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization whose mission is to honor and continue the gardening legacies of Mrs. Louise Bibb Wharton and Mrs. Eloise Gregory, to encourage interest in horticulture through the creation and maintenance of public gardens, and to promote the development of North Bridge Street as a cultural and historic area through gardening, restoring historic structures and supporting the programs of the Bedford Central Library, the Bedford Historic Society and other neighboring institutions."
In addition to the garden, The Wharton Cottage is located next door to the garden. Built in 1848 in the Carpenter Gothic style, the home has been restored and maintained and is now home to Town Kitchen & Provisions restaurant.
Take a trip to Bedford and enjoy a refreshing stop at Wharton Garden! Whether your kids are toddlers, teens, or adults, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Here are some additional springtime family activities to enjoy:
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