This two-day self-guided tour will take you to see several different styles of Pondless Waterfalls that meander down a slope, and Ponds placed purposefully outside the primary view that can be enjoyed from inside looking out, to fountains features that welcome guests upon arrival, these tour stops are each unique in their own way.
Please register here for your Self Guided Tickets!
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Sat. July 29th | 9:00am – 5:00pm
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Barbecue | Sat. July 29th | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
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Sun. July 3oth | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Water Garden Tour History
Over the years, the Brandywine Valley Water Garden Weekend Tour has grown into the premier water garden event of the summer. Originally conceived as a way of promoting water gardens while raising money for worthy local philanthropic organizations, the tour has grown from a small one day tour to its current size running over two days, encompassing over 35 different water features and highlighted by a barbecue event and auction.
Back in 2009, when Senator Andy Dinniman suggested that the tour group direct their efforts to support the Chester County Food Bank, the idea found fertile ground and quickly took root. The Chester County Food Bank’s mission of providing food to those in need right here in our community blended well with the Brandywine Valley Water Garden Tour Committee’s desire to give back to the local community.
The Water Garden Weekend Tour offers the opportunity to visit the homes of local residents and neighbors who have created beautiful waterscapes in their back yards. The two-day self-guided tour features a large array of different water features. Included in the mix are self-contained ponds with streams and water features ranging in size from small to expansive as well as water-falls without visible ponds. Beautiful landscaping, incredibly colorful flowers, arrays of dazzling water-falls and friendly fish of all color, shape, and sizes await those who visit just a few of the many homes featured on the Tour.
Saturday evening, all the tour participants along with all the homeowners who have opened their yards and water features in support of this premier event are invited to gather at Turpin Landscaping in Martins Corner for the Tour’s Barbecue and Silent Auction. Supported by many local businesses including Wawa and Kohl’s, attendees have the opportunity to browse through and bid on the many items offered during the Silent Auction. In addition, there is also a live auction that features a number of unique items and packages of goods that add to the excitement of the evening. Great food, live entertainment, and a party atmosphere all help to make this the premier event of the Tour.
Saturday, September 24th 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Photos are encouraged as you wander around ponds, pondless waterfalls, fountains and lush landscaping all with the added benefit of outdoor lighting and underwater lights too. Properties are as varied as homeowners and that is what makes these tours a feast for the eyes. No two properties are the same but all of the property owners share the same love of the outdoor lifestyle and that includes the wonderful addition of water and lighting on their property.
It is easy to get caught up in the properties and of course, the wonderful good works of the Chester County Food Bank but there are other reasons that you might like to spend the weekend with us. After spending Saturday touring, you can head over to the Turpins in Coatesville for a barbecue dinner, live and silent auction, raffles, and music under the stars. All this is included in your ticket price so plan on spending Saturday with us and if you would like to continue touring; Sunday all the properties will once again be open for you to enjoy.
Join us as we tour 40 plus residential homes all of which have a pond or water feature. This tour gives you an eclectic advantage to see many types of water features and it also provides you the opportunity to see these features in endlessly different settings. Many of our homeowners’ properties reflect their personal tastes or take their cue from the style or age of their homes and all of the gardens on this tour include a water feature of some type.
Outdoor kitchens of all sizes are another highlight enjoyed during this exploration. Convenient for homeowners who love to cook and equipped in many different ways; these vary from simple elegant stone barbecues to full kitchens with multiple cooking appliances, wet bars and foot peddle operated faucets. There is no end to the possibilities today! Check out the rainbow slate patio in Downingtown or the floating patio in Berwyn, these gems will all be on display during our Water Garden Weekend.