Why is everyone so smitten with Virginia? Maybe it’s the dense canopy of trees that frame historic landmarks, or its miles of tranquil glassy rivers, and places like Hanover County that guild this romantic lily. Located 12 miles north of Richmond, where the town of Ashland mingles railway history with modern accents, Hanover County has a cultural richness active adults can’t get enough of. Home to the 55+ community of Chickahominy Falls – where Virginia’s agricultural roots intertwine with the latest home designs – preserved 18th-century buildings peacefully coexist with leading-edge medical facilities, and a growing number of urban amenities.
No matter how enticing bigger cities promise to be, most folks revert to close-knit communities like Hanover County because they remind them of why small towns are so perpetually endearing. Fortunately for active adults, this not so sleepy town serves plenty of sentimental charm with an influx of business development and a resonant colonial past. Steeped in Native American, and poignant Civil War history, Hanover County is a treasure for history buffs – studded with centuries-old landmarks to explore from its numerous battlefields, and churches, to sites like Hanover County Courthouse Complex, and Sycamore Tavern that date back to the early 1700’s.
It’s a known fact that Virginians don’t live life sitting down, and with 1500 acres of parkland, four rivers, and rolling, designer fairways, it’s easy to pack each day with outdoor fun whether it’s cycling the scenic route from Hanover to Richmond -voted one of the best rides by Men’s Journal – whitewater rafting, fishing, or playing golf with a view at one of the area’s popular courses including the Arnold Palmer designed Federal Club and The Hollows Golf Club. Each of Virginia’s four distinct seasons is more beautiful than the next, and even the crispest of days doesn’t stop joggers, and bikers from taking advantage of Hanover’s winding trails, and a pedestrian-friendly downtown area where everything is within close proximity.
Hanover has flourished into a community of big-name franchises, with plans underway for the addition of outlet stores – but supporting a local economy is what keeps it thriving. Visitors and residents will find a small-town set apart from the hectic pace of the city, with exciting annual events like the Hanover Tomato Festival and Strawberry Faire, as well as a charming array of locally owned businesses from antiques, and consignment boutiques, to shopping centers, cafes, and family-owned eateries. Centrally located for a quick trip into D.C, or Jamestown, Hanover’s home-grown atmosphere makes it an idyllic destination to visit, and an even better place to call home.
