Visitors are welcome to enjoy Welkinweir’s beautiful gardens and natural open spaces. Stroll the luxurious gardens surrounding the Estate House with fine, mature specimens of rare and unusual trees & shrubs, flowers, and water gardens.
Hours
Year Round: The grounds are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We are closed weekends and most holidays. During the winter we may be closed due to inclement weather (snow or ice) – please call first.
Christmas / New Years: We will be closed from December 24th through January 2nd. We will reopen on January 3rd.
Guided nature walks are held on scheduled weekends throughout the year; check our Facebook page for more information.
Admission
Members are admitted for free. Nonmembers are welcome to make a donation in one of the donations boxes located at the Education Building, or in the breezeway of the Estate House. All donations support Welkinweir’s continued preservation.
Click on the image above to view a larger map.
Directions and Parking
All visitors (except tour participants) and education program attendees must park in our visitor parking lot, located 1/4 mile west of the Estate House entrance drive. Welkinweir is located 1 mile west of Route 100/Pottstown Pike on Prizer Road.
| Download our Arboretum & Parking Maps |
From Exton area:
Travel North on Route 100/Pottstown Pike, past PA Turnpike exit 312 (Downingtown/Pottstown). Continue North past Route 401/Conestoga Road at Ludwig’s Corner for 3.7 miles, and turn left onto Prizer Road. Welkinweir is 1 mile on your left.
From Pottstown area:
Travel South on Route 100/Pottstown Pike past Route 23/Ridge Road at Bucktown. Continue 1.1 miles and turn right onto Prizer Road. Welkinweir is 1 mile on your left.
Accessibility
Sturdy outdoor walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. Due to our hilly terrain and natural paths, the use of strollers and wheelchairs is limited.
House and Garden Tours
The Estate House is closed to the public, but private tours of the Estate House and gardens are available for groups of 10 or more.
Experience the home as it was built in 1940 onto the circa-1750 and -1830 farmhouse, designed by architect Fridtjof Tobiessen to blend with the natural beauty of the surrounding land, and provide a pleasant background for relaxed country living & entertaining. Plan your group tour to include a delightful garden luncheon on the terrace (weather permitting) overlooking the ponds and valley below.
Pre-registration is required at least two weeks in advance. For more information including fees and availability please call 610-469-7543 or e-mail the Executive Director.
Etiquette
Welkinweir is home to wildlife, and is a place of scenic & tranquil beauty for visitors. Please respect and follow our guidelines:
- Protect the gardens and nature by staying on paths & lawn areas.
- Admire our trees, but do not climb on them.
- Leave flowers, seeds, and other natural materials as you find them.
- Observe wildlife and their homes from a respectful distance and do not feed them.
- Dogs on leashes are welcome. You must clean up after your pet.
- Smoking and alcohol are not permitted on the grounds or in the buildings.
- Bicycles, Frisbees, and other sports equipment are not permitted in the arboretum.
- Picnicking is welcome at the pavilion adjacent to the visitor parking lot. All trash and food must be packed out.
- Fishing and public hunting are prohibited.
- Horseback riders must remain on the Horse-Shoe Trail (gold blaze) and connector trail (blue blaze).
Art and Photography Etiquette:
- Photographs for personal use only are encouraged.
- Professional wedding & portrait photography is by permit only; contact the Executive Director to obtain a permit.
- Respect the requests of Welkinweir staff and fellow visitors.