Agecroft Hall, though technically a museum, is a stunning Tudor manor that once stood in Elizabethan England. The building was disassembled and shipped to the banks of the James River in Richmond, Virginia where it was rebuilt as a private residence, with the stipulation that it would be used as a museum after the owner's death. On Agecroft's grounds, visitors can stroll through the gardens, which were designed by the same architect that rebuilt the manor.

Best and Worst Times to Go to Agecroft Hall
Agecroft is closed to visitors on Mondays and holidays and is not open during evening hours. The gardens are at their best in late spring when the plants are in bloom and are best tended. When there is less tourism, the gardens are not as neatly kept and meticulously clipped, so the herb knots and grass mazes are lackluster. A day in the middle of the week during late spring will offer the least crowded and most pleasant visit.

Must See and Do at Agecroft Hall
Although access to the gardens is free, the guided tour is worth the ticket price. Aside from the beautiful historical artifacts and stunning architecture, the tour provides interesting and entertaining information, and the tour guides are generally funny. The guides are also fantastic at answering questions, even the strange questions that come up when curious children are on the tour.

Admission to Agecroft Hall
Tour tickets for adults are $8.00, Seniors pay $7.00, and Students pay only $5.00. Children under 5 years and active US Military are admitted for free, and there is a $1 discount for AAA members. Admission to the gardens is free, and you can access the gift shop without going on the tour.

Parking and Public Transportation at Agecroft Hall
Agecroft has ample parking on site for free. There is no public transportation, and Agecroft Hall is located in a residential area, so visitors must navigate through the planned community to find it.

Food Options at and Near Agecroft Hall
Agecroft does not have any dining options on sight, but the city of Richmond offers ample local and chain restaurants at a reasonable distance. Baker's Crust has a location nearby, and there is a wide variety of local options nearby in Carytown, which is a 5 minute drive from Agecroft.

Insider Tip
Ask lots of questions on the tour, and don't be afraid to engage your tour guide in conversation. Even with large tours, they are adept at getting everyone through, and you'll find out a lot of cool extras if you can get your tour guide talking. For example, there are hidden places built into the house called Priest Holes; ask about them and have your guide show you where they might be.

Author's bio: Kitty Lusby is an author and self proclaimed adventurer from the Richmond, Virginia area. She believes that travel is a necessity and does it as often as possible.