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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.