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Virtual reality in the 17th Century. Experience what life was like in the very first English settlement in South Carolina (1670). Charles Towne features various 'hands-on' activities of the period and features a full-size model of the kind of sailing ship that crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the 17th century, bring colonists to the New World and supplying them with the things they couldn't make here.The 1670 Experimental Crop Garden is an ongoing experiment to provide information concerning crop cultivating during that period. Also featured is a formal English Garden (80 acres), - a place in which you just might like to be lost for awhile.
Charles Towne Landing is at 1500 Old Towne Road (west of the Ashley River on SC 171) about 3 miles from downtown Charlestown..
Park Hours: June - August from 9a. - 6p; September - May the park closes at 5p. Address: 1500 Old Towne Road, Charleston SC 29407,
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The formal garden covers some 50 acres and had its origin in the late 1600s making it one of the oldest (see also Middleton Place) formal garden in the country. Over 250 types of azaleas extend the blooming period eash spring, then reinforced with almost 1000 kinds of camellias. Of course there are hundreds of other kinds of flowers.
Yes, there's more. A biblical garden, a tropical garden, even a 16th centurary shrubery maze and, in an area well away from the plantation house, their famous Audubon Swamp Garden which covers over 60 acres. There is a tram for those who would rather not walk (and takes a lot of walking) and sometime canoes are available.
Admission fee. The admission to the gardens and grounds is separate from the admission to the plantation house so if you only want to tour the gardens you don't have to pay for the house, too. Open daily 8a-5p.
From downtown Charleston, take US-17 to SC-61, head north on 61 to the Plantation (on the right). If you are starting from North Charleston, take I-526 to SC-61 and head north to the plantation. 843-571-1266
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Landscaped with terraced lawns and strategically-placed ponds, this land of azaleas, camellias, crepe myrtle, roses, etc., is a feast for us average folks as well as the confirmed gardening enthusiasts. The formal gardens date back to 1741 but they claim to be the oldest such garden in America. Oldest or youngest, when you're walking by all those beautiful blossums does it really matter whose gardens are the oldest? Hours 9a-5p daily.
From downtown Charleston, take US-17 to SC-61, head north on 61 to the Plantation (on the right). If you are starting from North Charleston, take I-526 to SC-61 and head north to the plantation. Toll-free 800-782-3608; from outside the US: 803-556-6020.
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