Date of Visit: August 21, 2020

Some of Pennsylvania’s best little destinations are its county parks. Many of these parks are more than just a place to get outside, they have a story to tell all their own. Just like Springton Manor Farm.

Springton Manor Farm is just a couple miles north of the highway (Route 322), but it feels like it’s much farther away. Tucked in a quiet corner of the Chester County countryside, it’s unlikely that anyone would find it by accident.

But for those who seek it out, Springton Manor has a lot to offer.

The property has a rich history that dates back to the 1700s, and the beautiful manor house was built in 1833. But it is the late 19^th century – the farm’s heyday – that is interpreted for visitors today.

There are parking areas on the north side and south side of the property. A gravel road, Maple Lane, connects the two ends of the park while cutting a path between the pastures.

It’s a downhill walk from the manor house and south parking lot. Goats amble in the pastures on both sides of the lane. On the east side, the animals were congregated on some large boulders in the middle of the meadow, one standing tall atop the largest rock as if proclaiming that he was the G.O.A.T. of goats.

The east pasture was broken into three sections. In the middle third we met another goat and a young donkey. The goat seemed content relax against the rock while the donkey grazed on the grass around. My two-year-old lit up as he said hi to the “gonkey,” though the animal was too busy eating to care.

Springton Manor is a working farm with more than just animals. While there are no cash crops in the fields, an herb and vegetable garden is maintained on site. The harvest from the garden goes directly to the Chester County Food Bank to provide fresh produce to those in need.

Behind the garden is the chicken coop, another highlight for my toddler, though he was a little skittish around the birds (who showed no fear themselves as they came right up to the edge of their enclosure).

We got quite the surprise when we peered inside the coop. Among the chickens, the large green and purple plume of a peacock was unmistakeable. Even in the darkened enclosure the showy feathers were quite a sight.

The Great Barn is a highlight of any visit. The towering structure dates to the 1880s and is home to animals and the Family Farm Museum which houses artifacts from Chester County farms dating back to the 18^th century.

Unfortunately with COVID-19 precautions in place, the barn was closed on our visit and we could only appreciate it from the outside.

The largest animals we encountered on our visit were at the north end of the west pasture, just beyond the barn. That’s where we found the two adult donkeys. One was content to munch on the grass. The other deftly grabbed a tree branch with his teeth and made a meal of the leaves.

Animal encounters are great for the kids, but Springton Manor also offers miles of recreation trails to enjoy. We took a quick stroll along the half-mile Penn Oak Nature Trail.

It’s a fully paved, accessible trail (also great for strollers). Signs highlight some of the native trees along the short path. After a short walk in the woods, the trail opens up to a pond and picnic area across the street from the north parking area.

In all, the park has more than five miles of interconnected trails, mostly unpaved – a mix of gravel, grass and wood chip surfaces that pass through areas of forest, brush, meadow and wetlands.

We explored for about an hour before making our way back up Maple Lane toward the parking lot. Along the way, we stopped to meet a few more four-legged friends as another small herd of goats met us by the fence.

We are already looking forward to going back some day when the barn is open to see the museum and to explore more trails.