Hiking, History & Waterfront Views
Located in Smithfield, Virginia, Windsor Castle Park is situated downtown along the Pagan River and Cypress Creek. The Park offers amenities such as historical sites, a dog park, kayak launch, kayak rentals, 3+ miles of hiking trails, a fishing pier, a playground, picnic areas, and bike paths. In 2007, Joseph Luter, III, founder of Smithfield Foods, made a 5 million dollar donation to the town to construct Windsor Castle Park. In 2010, Windsor Castle Park officially opened for the public to enjoy.
The Manor House
In 1637, the King of England granted Arthur Smith 1450 acres of land in Isle of Wight County, which would eventually be handed down to Arthur Smith IV. Arthur Smith IV went on to establish the Town of Smithfield in 1750. Today, no one knows how the name “Windsor Castle” represented the house, but records show it could date back to the 1800s.
Contact the Isle of Wight County Museum if you’d like to learn more about the Manor House or take a guided tour of the Wight County Museum. They offer free guided tours on the first Sunday of every month.
The Barnyard
Three of the property’s eleven barnyard buildings are pictured below. The building closest to the Manor House is an 18th-century colonial kitchen and laundry house. These quarters were not uncommon to be separate from the main house, as the second floor typically housed servants and enslaved people.
The first red barnyard building is a 19th-century smokehouse, followed by an 18th-century barn and a 19th-century horse stable. In 2019, the barnyard buildings were renovated and are now used as an event venue. Popular events held on the grounds of the barnyard include Smithfield’s Bacon Bourbon and Music Festival, along with concerts by the Virginia Symphony!
Eat at the Smithfield Station
Several entrances to the park, including a door near the Smithfield Station restaurant, hotel, and marina. Pictured below from Windsor Castle Park, the Smithfield Station is an award-winning restaurant known for its fresh seafood, weekly specials, and brunch buffet. Be sure to stop by “The Station” and grab a bite or sip on a cocktail by the water and continue to enjoy the gorgeous views.
