Fernbrook Neighborhood Spotlight

Williamsburg, VA is a great place to call home. It’s full of character and culture and  its weather is mild.

All these things and more are reason enough to put down stakes in Williamsburg / James City County , but with so many wonderful neighborhoods to choose from it can be tough to decide what one is right for you. That’s why “Mr Williamsburg” writes these  Neighborhood Spotlight articles to introduce readers to the pros and cons of the area’s many unique locales. Today, we’re looking at the exciting Fernbrook neighborhood.

During my years of working in the Williamsburg/ Yorktown area real estate market, I have sold homes in a lot of area  neighborhoods.

Ever heard of the neighborhood, Fernbrook ? Chances are, probably not. This small area, nestled alongside of Greensprings Road between the Berkeleys Green/  First Colony and Drummonds Field neighborhoods near  the corner of Greensprings Rd and Route 5 / John Tyler Highway.


Fernbrook
is a sought after community in the area. It was developed in the mid 1990’s .Today, there are 105 homes in the Fernbrook neighborhood. In terms of style, Fernbrook is filled with beautiful, traditional colonials and transitionals on lovely treed lots.  The lot sizes for single family homes range from approximately ..34  – .88 acres with most averaging half an acre in size. Most homes were built  by  Dobson Builders.  Kar San Construction and other builders built the remainder.

Why is Fernbrook so popular? It’s simple ~  its location in Williamsburg on the Southern edge of James City County , tight-knit community.and more.

Fernbrook Location and nearby points of interest

Fernbrook is located approximately 10 minutes from Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. It is easily accessible to RT 199 and I-64 for an easy commute to the peninsula, Newport News, Ft Eustis, Langley AFB, Cheatham Annex, USCG Yorktown and other points on the Peninsula. It is a short walk to the picturesque VA Capital Trail  a 50+ mile long, multi-use trail, that connects the two historic capitals of Jamestown – the site of America’s first permanent English settlement in 1607, and Richmond the current capital of VA.

GREENSPRINGS INTERPRETIVE TRAIL

There is an access trail across the street to the Greensprings Trail. Wander along this 3.5-mile nature trail that loops through a landscape of beaver ponds, wetlands and forests.  The trail includes sections of wooden boardwalk as well as interpretative signs about the environment, historical events of the early colonists and American Indians and area wildlife.  The trail is on wetlands adjacent to Mainland Farm, the oldest continuously cultivated farm in America.

Chickahominy Riverfront Park is only a short distance away either riding on a bicycle down the VA Capital Trail or by car down Rt 5. This 140-acre park is located on the Chickahominy River.  This park has something for every member of your family to enjoy.  Facilities include two outdoor swimming pools, boat ramp, fishing pier, camp sites, a playground, picnic shelters, a small store and access to the Virginia Capital Trail.  You can bring your own boat or rent one at the park to enjoy fishing or exploring the Chickahominy River and Gordon Creek.  There is space for monthly rental of boat and RV storage. The large fields and picnic shelters are available for special events.

Jamestown Beach Park You can have fun under the sun and tan on the sand all while you enjoy the sensation of the summer breeze that makes its way across the James River and ushers in the waves to shore.  The park features a newly restored beach with a beautiful waterfront view of the natural environment and sunsets that will leave you in awe!  You can bring your own gas grill or use the park’s charcoal grills to prepare your favorite summer foods in a shaded picnic area.

Only a short walk or bike ride away is Jamestown  the site of the first permanent English colony in America. On May 13, 1607, one hundred four Englishmen arrived in three small ships and moored them to the trees on this island. The following day the English came ashore–never to leave.
There are two sites to see at Jamestown both of which are compelling attractions. At Historic Jamestowne, part of the Colonial National Historic Park, you can explore the original site and watch as Preservation Virginia archeologists excavate the 1607 fort. At Jamestown Settlement, explore a world-class living-history museum that re-creates life in the New World. Step inside a Powhatan village and see how Native Americans lived. Feel the weight as you try on colonial armor. Climb aboard replicas of the three ships that brought the colonists to Virginia in 1607.

A mile away from Fernbrook is one of the most scenic drives in the U.S. the Colonial Parkway. An integral part of Colonial National Historical Park this 24 mile scenic Colonial-style highway connects Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown. Its panoramic vistas, gently winding curves, through patches of Pine and Evergreen forest, constantly leaves you with an expectation as to what the next curve may bring forth.

Fernbrook Makes The Grade!!!

Fernbrook students are fortunate to attend  James City County Schools. Students go to newly constructed Matoaka Elementary SchoolHornsby Middle School and Jamestown High School. For parents desiring a private school option there are numerous options to choose from  including Walsingham Academy, Hampton Roads Academy, Williamsburg Christian, Providence Classical and more. Explore private school locations here

Fernbrook  has an HOA that offers plenty of opportunities to participate: The HOA manages the common areas in the neighborhood as well as the Neighborhood Watch Program and numerous social events and picnics each year. The annual home owner association fee is $240.

Although Fernbrook does not have a pool the nearby First Colony neighborhood welcomes Fernbrook residents and families to join their pool and their award winning swim team (The Flyers) Family pool memberships there are $275 annually

Over the last year, home sale prices in Fernbrook have ranged from a low of $290,000 to $355,000.

Prices vary according to size, condition and age,.  Sold prices for the two home sales last year were $290k for a 2100+ square foot ranch home built in 2002 to  $355k for a four bedroom , 2.5 bath, 3100 square foot home built in 1998. The average market time for the four sales in the last 12 months was 118 days , although that doesn’t include the DOM ( days on market) of a home if it is re-listed after expiring.

Top 10 Reasons to Like Living in Fernbrook
1. Zoned for Matoaka Elem, Hornsby Middle and Jamestown High School
2. Less than a mile to Williamsburg National Golf Club
3. Only a few miles to the Chickahominy Riverfront Park
4.Many different home styles to choose from
5. Adjacent to the VA Capital Trail
6. Intimate community with just 105  home sites
7. Active social scene with neighborhood parties and more
8. Low HOA fees—only $20 a month.
9. Low James City County taxe
10. Less than a mile to the scenic Colonial Parkway

Nearby Golf Options: Williamsburg National Golf

Nearby Fitness Options:: James City Recreation Center, Ironbound Gym

Nearby Boating Options: Jamestown Marina, Governors Land Marina, Chickahominy Riverfront Park

Closest Grocery Store: Publix, Trader Joes, Fresh Market, Food Lion, Earth Fare

Psst, Mr Williamsburg is a different sort of real estate agent. This post was authored by local resident and REALTOR, John Womeldorf. John is known around town as Mr. Williamsburg, for both his extensive knowledge of the Williamsburg/ Hampton Roads/ Richmond VA area and his expertise helping buyers and sellers in the local real estate market. If you are a homeowner searching for someone innovative to sell your home I would love to share my thoughts on marketing. 

 You can read some of the stories I have written about the homes I have sold here.
Find out the value of your existing home here

Additionally, I have helped hundreds of folks find their dream home/ community and would love to help you find yours in Williamsburg, Yorktown, New Kent, VA Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Isle of Wight Poquoson as well as Richmond. Let me help you find your dream home/ neighborhood Fill out this form and I will get back to you with suggestions. 

Read reviews about me here 

If you are researching neighborhoods you can read about other neighborhoods in the area here 

You can reach me by phone at  1-757-254-8136  or email  [email protected] I look forward to serving your real estate needs!