
Though it’s not one of the oldest neighborhoods in Richmond, Windsor Farms is home to some of Richmond’s most architecturally significant (and valuable) properties. The neighborhood is located on the southern side of Cary Street Road between Old Locke Lane, the Powhite Parkway and the northern banks of the James River.
First conceived in 1926 under the leadership of well-known Richmonder, T.C. Williams, Windsor Farms is one of the first Richmond communities designed with the automobile in mind. The overall design, however, was created to resemble an English village with a large central green space and circular streets radiating out from there. Deep setbacks, large yards, brick and stone sidewalks as well as large oak and magnolia trees contribute heavily to that aesthetic. Sticking to that English theme, architectural styles are mostly Colonial Revival, Tudor and Cape Cod.

It was also Mr. Williams that acquired Agecroft Hall in Lancashire, England, had it disassembled and shipped to Richmond. He chose to reconstruct the building on a 23-acre parcel overlooking the James River. At roughly the same time, Alexander and Virginia Weddell purchased the salvaged materials from another antique English structure in Warwickshire that they used to construct the Virginia House next door. These two homes immediately gave Windsor Farms two architecturally significant and stately English homes and set the tone for homes that were built in the following years.
Agecroft Hall Virginia House
From the moment you enter Windsor Farms today, it is clear that residents have stayed true to the neighborhood’s original design intentions over the years. Large, grand homes on large well-manicured lots remain the norm.
Things to do:
Carytown – Just around the corner. There are lots of options. Here are a few: The Daily Kitchen & Bar, Can Can Brasserie, Burger Bach, The Byrd Theater, Plan 9 Records, Chop Suey Books, Mongrel, World of Mirth
Virginia House – Owned and operated by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, the house is available for special events.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Located in the nearby (and aptly named) Museum District. The VMFA is world class museum with superb collections usually reserved for museums in much larger cities. It’s worth a visit!