STEP INTO HISTORY
Below you will find multiple self-guided tours that take you through our county. Each offering our visitors a different experience and a opportunity to dive into our past.
Historic Driving Tour
Take a scenic, self-guided drive through historic Gloucester County! This tour lets you explore a variety of important sites and landmarks that tell the story of the county’s past — from colonial churches and plantations to culturally significant towns and natural overlooks. You’ll travel at your own pace and enjoy stops that highlight Gloucester’s rich heritage, architecture, and role in Virginia history.
Historic Courthouse Circle Walking Tour
This self-guided walking tour takes you through the heart of Gloucester’s historic courthouse district on Main Street. As you stroll the Court Circle, you’ll encounter a concentration of historic buildings — including the 1766 Colonial Courthouse, debtor’s prison, old clerk offices, and more — each with architectural and community stories spanning from the 18th-century through the early 20th-century. The full route covers multiple sites within easy walking distance, typically taking about 30 minutes to complete while offering insight into the local government history and life in early Virginia.
Guinea Heritage Driving Tour
Explore the Guinea community and southeastern corner of Gloucester County with this self-guided driving route. The tour highlights rural and coastal heritage sites — from historic general stores and churches to marinas, scenic overlooks, and local retail spots. This route celebrates the people, culture, and working waterfront traditions of Guinea and surrounding communities like Bena, Maryus, Jenkins Neck, and Big Island, offering a deeper look at the area’s unique heritage and connection to the seafood industry and life on the water.
Battle of the Hook Driving Tour
This tour focuses on sites tied to Gloucester County’s Revolutionary War history, especially the Battle of the Hook — a significant cavalry engagement that took place October 3, 1781 during the Siege of Yorktown. Visitors on this self-guided drive can explore key locations and interpretive waysides that interpret the movement of troops, skirmishes between French-American forces and British troops, and the strategic importance of Gloucester Point in the fight for American independence. Along the way, markers and local stops help tell the story of how this engagement influenced Cornwallis’s retreat and the eventual surrender at Yorktown