Explore the Fairy Gardens at Winterthur – You Might See a Troll!

Winterthur is located in Delaware near the city of Wilmington. The house and gardens were designed to attract young and old. Children will particularly love the whimsical Enchanted Garden with its troll and secret tree house.

Tulip Tree House and Oak Leaf Hydrangeas (Photo Courtesy, Winterthur)
Tulip Tree House and Oak Leaf Hydrangeas (Photo Courtesy, Winterthur)

The Winterthur estate was built back in the 1800s by the duPont family. According to the Winterthur website, the flowers were planned prior to naming the estate or building the house. The mansion itself is a lovely museum housing extensive period furniture and world-class art collections. Visit the extensive library collection to learn more about American decorative arts.

Hydrangeas in full bloom at Winterthur (Photo Courtesy: Winterthur)
Hydrangeas in full bloom at Winterthur (Photo Courtesy: Winterthur)

The gardens are beautiful in every season. As you stroll away from the main house, the more formalized gardens become more naturalized and then turn “wild.”

Daylilies and Ferns at Winterthur (Photo Courtesy: Winterthur)
Daylilies and Ferns at Winterthur (Photo Courtesy: Winterthur)

See one thousand acres of natural gardens. Learn about the many fairies who live in the Enchanted Garden. Visit the Faerie Cottage. Creep slowly across the troll bridge — and look underneath it for the Soot, the troll!

Faerie Cottage at Winterthur (Photo Courtesy: Winterthur)
Faerie Cottage at Winterthur (Photo Courtesy: Winterthur)

Additionally, in the Wilmington area, you can plan to visit two other duPont estates with lovely gardens: the esteemed Longwood Gardens, and Nemours Mansion and Gardens. Longwood Gardens is known for its formality. Nemours Mansion is likely the “grandest” residence in Delaware with over an acre of space under its roofs. The duPonts left a legacy of lovely properties in Delaware that will surprise and entice you during your visit. Start with Winterthur and be enchanted!

If you are visiting the New Jersey, Delaware, or Maryland shores during the summer months, Winterthur is a nice day-trip from those areas, or a captivating stop along the way.

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