Melville Airstrip

Colonial history and river views on Virginia's James River shore.

Surry is a small, peaceful county seat in Surry County, Virginia, situated along the south bank of the James River directly across from Williamsburg. With a population of only a few hundred residents, it offers an unhurried escape into early American history, farmland, and waterfront scenery.

The area is best known as home to Chippokes Plantation State Park, one of the oldest continuously farmed plantations in the United States, and for the Surry Nuclear Power Plant, which dominates the local economy. Visitors come primarily for outdoor recreation, heritage tourism, and the scenic car-ferry crossing over the James River.

Surry pairs naturally with a visit to the Historic Triangle — Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown — making it an ideal quiet-side-trip destination for travelers exploring Colonial Virginia.

• •Chippokes Plantation State Park — centuries-old working farm with mansion tours, trails, and swimming.
• •Jamestown-Scotland Ferry — free scenic car ferry across the James River with skyline views.
• •Bacon's Castle — rare surviving 17th-century Virginia Colonial brick manor house.
• •Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum — exhibits on Virginia's agricultural and timber heritage.
• •Surry Nuclear Information Center — free public exhibit on nuclear energy production.
• •Smith's Fort Plantation — 1650s brick house on land John Smith traded with Powhatan.

Getting around: Surry has no public transit, rail, or rideshare infrastructure; a personal vehicle or rental car is essentially required. The free Jamestown-Scotland Ferry connects Surry to Route 31 on the north bank, providing the main link to the greater Williamsburg area. Taxis are not readily available locally.

Best time: Late spring (April–June) and early fall (September–October) offer mild temperatures ideal for exploring Chippokes trails and the river ferry.

Local food: Try classic Virginia pork barbecue and country ham — Surry County is especially famous for its Surry-style smoked ham products available at local stores like Edwards Virginia Smokehouse.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.