blithewold mansion, gardens & arboretum

A visit to Blithewold is a MUST for anyone visiting the Bristol area. One of the best Tree Gardens I have ever visited. Black Bamboo grove is special. Daffodil a Days are highlight of the year.

We have been members of Blithewold for several years and have had the opportunity to enjoy many of their seasonal occasions. Daffodil Days, concerts in the park during the summer months and of course the Christmas festivities.Everything is family friendly and absolutely top notch.The Christmas decorations are amazing. Walking the grounds, sipping hot chocolate, watching the children make smores over open fires and listening to Carolers, makes for w great start to the season!I highly recommend this venue.

My family visits Blithewold every holiday season as well as various times throughout the year. Christmas time is magical! Each year there is a different theme for the decorating of the mansion. The volunteers start decorating in Oct and open right after Thanksgiving. The afternoon Teas are wonderful and they also have other special events.This is also a place to visit in warmer months to stroll the magnificent gardens especially during Daffodil Days. My son was also married here and the guests are still talking about the storybook wedding.A must see any time of the year!

While not as grandiose as some of the mansions of Newport, the Blithewold Mansion and Arboretum is still a gorgeous building with magnificent grounds to explore. Weddings are held here on a regular basis. You'll spend about an hour or so here, but can spend much more time in the gardens if you'd like. In addition, while in the house, the docents are very friendly and will explain anything about the house and grounds you wish to learn.It is easy to reach Blithewold from both Providence and Newport.

BlithewoldTo describe Blithewold in a word would be to say it is a gem. However, one word could not do justice to this wonderful property. It is truly a destination for all seasons...from the daffodils that thrill you in spring to the grand Christmas decorations in winter, Blithewold is indeed a treat for the heart, soul, & senses.About eight years ago, my husband & I literally stumbled upon Blithewold while driving through Bristol, RI. Soon after, we became members, because, having fallen in love with the estate, we returned many, many times. Each season brings its own beauty...watch spring come alive in April, smell the roses in June, marvel at the colors of autumn, and relish the incredible array of Christmas cheer in December. Unlike the mansions of nearby Newport, Blithewold, while not as grand, extends a homier, warmer atmosphere. The house is painstakingly maintained & one can wander from room to room enjoying what life was like for the Van Wickle family during a bygone era.During warmer weather, bring a picnic lunch & stroll through the many gardens. You will find more than one favorite spot to enjoy your lunch while feeling the breezes off Narragansett Bay.Christmas time is the crowning glory of the year. An army of volunteers design & decorate every room. From the tiny trees in the nursery to the grand tree in the entrance hallway, there is no way one can adequately describe this feast for the eyes! You simply need to experience it. You can have a stop-to-smell-the-roses experience by making reservations for tea, and take advantage of several programs throughout the year, from music to family picnics.If you travel to this area of Rhode Island, this definitely needs to be a destination. You will not have to deal with the crowds of Newport, so do treat yourself to a few hours of sheer beauty at Blithewold.

We visit Blithewold Mansion at least once a year during its Christmas exhibition. It is always an enjoyable experience. We have also visited at other times during the year. The staff works very hard and always add to the enjoyment of the visit. The grounds and the estate are interesting to visit.Let yourself go and enjoy the hour or so to soak in the ambiance of the grounds and the mansion.

This is the second year in a row I have attended tea at Blithewold Mansions. I will be coming back next year. The decorations (all by volunteers) are beautiful and elegant. The tea service was delicious and plentiful. The scones were spectacular this year. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a special occasion tea, to call on Blithewold. The weather was very cooperative and we even were able to enjoy some of the grounds, (also decorated for Christmas). The volunteers are so very nice and accommodating. We will be back again!

Attended Sparkle tonight with my daughters. The home is decorated to perfection. Unique and very festive. The grounds with the outdoor Christmas lighting was beautiful. We enjoyed the bonfire, but will pass on the stale s'mores next time. The staff was less than friendly. A smile does go a long way...none to be found. Would return next year.

I brought my mother for afternoon high tea in the dining room of the Blithewold Mansion. It was quite extravagant and decadent and we enjoyed every moment of it!!! The price of the tea includes admission to the rest of the building so despite it seeming a bit overpriced, bear that in mind. We actually didn't have time to see everything, but what we saw was beautifully decorated for the holidays. Each room was decorated to reflect a different family member. After dark, there is a Christmas tree light display outside. I would definitely return for not only the afternoon tea, which REQUIRES ADVANCE RESERVATIONS!! But also to see the rest of the grounds. The afternoon tea information is on the website or you can call them. It is done only during the holidays starting after Thanksgiving through New Years. Then, it is not available until Daffodil Days in the spring. There are periods of time when the house is closed, so check the time of year when you are going to know in advance.

With great views over the adjacent coast line and a garden that contains both formality and natural landscape areas Blithewold Mansion sits in a great location. While the house is not as grand as some others in Rhode Island it does have a quality the others lack, that of homeliness. With something to please the whole family and marvellous, friendly volunteers this is well worth a visit.

Visited this beautiful place today. I was the only one there except for some staff and workmen.It was incredibly beautiful and quiet. I am a RI native and only just discovered this today.Don't miss this exquisite place.

We went a lot of places on our trip to Newport. This place was awesome, a complete surprise and a don't miss. To explain - we were able to see a beautiful mansion, that you could walk around and really look at the items, without a policeman or a barricade. The staff was SUPER friendly and answered every question. The gardens were awesome and we looked around at all the special art exhibit. I loved all the pieces. I wanted to stay longer - I could have MOVED IN! We left so that we could get some lunch and because it was starting to rain, but if we were back, this would be FIRST on my list to see again. Don't miss it.

What a beautiful mansion nestled along the bay in Bristol Rhode Island!We stayed in Newport and came across this place online while searching for other historical places in the area. Best part - you are ALLOWED to take pictures inside the house! Grounds are beautiful, and it is also a great place to dine for a picnic, take a nap, and enjoy the scenery.AAA members receive an admission discount.

Looking to step back in time and have a glimpse at "recreational" living? Skip the ostentatious mansions of Newport and be sure to visit Blithewold Mansion in Bristol, RI. This elegant, yet understated historic home dates from 1908 and features an extensive collection of period pieces. While the mansion is beautiful, the main attraction is the acres of fabulous gardens and arboretum, against the backdrop of Narragansett Bay. The gardens continued to be well kept and offer a pallet of seasonal color, no matter when you visit. I was surprised at the brilliant colors still in bloom in September. The species of trees is quite impressive including magnolia, sequoia and many more. The property is available for weddings and special events, however I'd suggest spending an afternoon wandering through the gardens and taking in the views and serenity. We will certainly return.

One of my Rhode Island sisters took me here on a visit this last September. $11 to get unlimited access to the mansion and grounds, which are breathtaking. The Bamboo forest and sequoias are easily the main attraction, but there are numerous species of plants to admire. The house is gorgeous too. The docents are very knowledgeable, and even shared with us how they decorate at Christmas time. That would be well worth going back for! They also have teas which you should request a reservation for. They are very popular.