Fall Public Tours 2023

While Oak Spring is generally closed to the general public, we are excited to offer two days this fall – Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23 – for guests to explore our Biocultural Conservation Farm and Bunny Mellon’s Oak Spring Garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are tickets timed?

No – there are separate tickets for our Friday and Saturday tours, but guests are otherwise welcome to arrive any time between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm on their selected tour date. Check-in will close at 2:00 pm and the property will close at 4:00 pm, so please plan to arrive with ample time to enjoy the property.

Guests will get to visit both sides of our property, Little Oak Spring and Rokeby Farm. While the properties are adjacent to each other, guests will need to take a short drive across the street between them (see the arrival map below). These tours are self-guided and guests are welcome to spend as much or as little time on either side of the property before moving to the other side.

Will I need to print out a physical ticket?

No, we will have a ticketless entry and you will not need to bring a physical ticket, regardless of what may be stated by an automated reply from Eventbrite after purchasing your registration. Instead, stop at check-in once you arrive and we will verify you by name.

How many tickets will be available?

There are two (2) days (Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23) with 500 tickets available each day.

Will tickets be for sale on tour date?

No. To avoid disappointment, purchase your tickets early via our Eventbrite pages, which are listed on our website here.

Where do we arrive?

To reach Little Oak Spring, please use either of the following addresses in your GPS: 4884 Sea Hero Lane, Upperville, VA 20184 or 1776 Loughborough Lane, Upperville, VA 2018. Turn onto Loughborough Lane near the sign that reads “Oak Spring Garden Foundation.”

To reach Rokeby Farm, please use the following address in your GPS: 8622 Mill Reef Road, Upperville, VA 20184. Turn onto Mill Reef Road and follow signs to parking.

Where do we park?

Guests can begin their tour on either side of our property, either Little Oak Spring (for the garden tour) or Rokeby Farm (for the farm tour).

To start with the garden: after stopping at the white Security Building near the site entrance, you will be directed to the parking area on the right.

To start with the farm: turn onto Mill Reef Road off of Route 623 and follow a long straightaway until you reach signage for parking.

Please note that the parking areas are grass. These fields can be uneven and may be muddy if the weather has been wet.

Where do we go first?

After parking, please follow the signs to the check-in areas on either side of the property. You will receive a hand stamp after your initial check-in. This will allow you to quickly check in on the other side of the property after you have finished the first part of your tour.

Is there a guide book?

No but there is a small informational brochure available for free at the Check-in Tent at the start of the tour.

Is the tour escorted?

No, this is a self-guided tour. There are scattered informational signs and OSGF staff members to answer questions and to help direct you.

Are there restrooms available?

Yes, there are restroom locations on both sides of the property. At Little Oak Spring, restrooms will available in near the beginning/end of the tour and outside of the formal garden (about midway through the tour route). At Rokeby Farm, restrooms will be available near the check-in pavilion.

What is included in the tour?

On the tour guests will have access to the Oak Spring Garden landscape, the foyer of the Mellon residence with views into select rooms, the formal walled garden, the arbor, the formal greenhouse and the gallery. The tour does not include a visit to the Oak Spring Library. On the Rokeby Farm property, our Biocultural Conservation Farm includes several production fields, a walled garden, and several production greenhouses. The Rokeby Farm property will also feature food trucks from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and live music from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm performed by Dunlap & Mabe, a bluegrass band from Winchester, VA.

Guests will also be able to experience two (2) special exhibits: Fantastic Flora, and Abundant Future: Cultivating Diversity in Garden, Farm & Field. The Fantastic Flora exhibit is located outside of the Gallery, and the Abundant Future exhibit is located within the north wing of the gallery.

How long should the tour take?

The tours are self-guided and guests can go as quickly or slowly as they would like. The route on Little Oak Spring is about 1 mile long and typically takes about 2.5 hours to complete. The tour on the Rokeby Farm property is less than a mile and typically takes 30 minutes to an hour.

Is the tour handicapped accessible?

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation is located in the rural foothills of the Piedmont Mountains with rolling hills and often uneven terrain.  Much of the tour route is gravel paths and not well suited to motorized carts or walkers. For your comfort and safety, please wear flat walking shoes, no spiked heels. Please watch for steps and uneven surfaces. Guests with mobility issues are advised to consider these factors prior to purchasing a tour ticket.

Are children welcome to attend?

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation is happy to share the beauty of our site with guests of all ages. Children 17 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Guests with very small children are advised that much of the tour route is gravel and pathways can be narrow (especially in the Formal Garden area) and no strollers are allowed.

Is photography allowed?

Yes, guests are encouraged to photograph the grounds and garden. Be sure to tag us on social media (Instagram: @oakspringgardenfoundation; Twitter: @oak_spring; Facebook: Oak Spring Garden Foundation). Photography is NOT allowed while inside the Mellon Main Residence. 

Are there items available for purchase?

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation has a selection of unique gifts and books available for purchase in the Gallery near the end of the Little Oak Spring tour.  Credit cards are the only form of payment accepted in the gift shop. All proceeds go into a fund designated for growing our local educational programs.

Will there be food and drinks available?

Food will be provided by local food trucks from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on the Rokeby Farm side of the property. Water stations will be located in three (3) locations along the tour route. Guests are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles.

COVID-19

OSGF is committed to lowering the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Our staff are fully vaccinated, and we strongly encourage our visitors to be vaccinated as well. We encourage social-distancing, mask wearing, and other sensible precautions as appropriate to minimize the risk of exposure during our in-person events.

What if I have been exposed to COVID-19 or am experiencing COVID-19 symptoms on the day of my ticket?

For the health and safety of our guests and OSGF staff, we ask that any guest who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is currently experiencing symptoms please not attend this event.  If you are unable to attend due to COVID-19 exposure or symptoms, you may be eligible for a refund of your ticket purchase. Any such refund requests must be made no later than the end of business on Friday, September 29, 2023.

What if it rains?

The tour will run if it rains unless lightening or wind make it unsafe to do so. Please check our social media for any last minute changes (Instagram: @oakspringgardenfoundation; Twitter: @oak_spring; Facebook: Oak Spring Garden Foundation).

Where do the proceeds go?

Tour funds will be used to benefit our outreach and education activities in our local community.

Are pets allowed?

No pets - except for service animals.

Is smoking allowed?

Smoking is not allowed.