Only in Bucks County: Radcliffe Street

Hello everybody!

So... my downstairs neighbor accidentally set our house on fire. Everybody and everything is fine, but I'm staying with my fiance in Bristol Borough for the next six or seven weeks until the smoke damage is remediated and the structural damage is repaired. My blogging goal for the summer is to post about life here in Bristol as much as possible for two reasons... one is for me to learn more about the town and the special things it has to offer; and the other to bring attention to what an amazing little town it is.

Let's start with Radcliffe Street, as that's where we are living.

Radcliffe Street runs parallel to the Delaware River, with rows of brownstone buildings and magnificent mansions with beautifully landscaped lawns and hydrangea-filled gardens behind wrought iron fences.

Bristol was a hub for shipping and industry in the late 1800's and that's when many of the grand Greek Revival style homes were built along Radcliffe Street by the wealthy owners of mills and factories. More homes were built along Radcliffe Street over the next 20-30 years in the Colonial Revival style; with their columned porches, classical details like swags and urns, and gabled roofs. Each one is different and there's a tremendous amount of pride in the upkeep and care of these large homes. If you like old houses, you've got to come take a long walk up and down this tree lined street! 

Only in Bucks County: Where Am I?

Where am I? 

 

Here is the first set of clues... things that I see as I approach this magical place.

 

 

Where am I?

Does anyone know yet? 

Let me get a little closer to the front of this magnificent building and see if anyone knows!

 Gargoyles and statues galore, but I am not in 18th century England ;)

Where am I? 

 

Do you need a another clue?

I'll walk around back and post a few photographs from there. There are even more animals in the back. 

Let's see if this helps:

 

Where am I? 

 

I'll stand back a bit....  that should give you some perspective. 

Where am I? 

 

I can tell you this. I'm not at a fancy European estate.

I'm not in Victorian England... or the Scottish Countryside... or Wintertime in France.

 

I'm in a very public place here in Bucks County, and here is a little more of the scenery I'm seeing as I walk around:

 

 

 

Where am I? 

 

If I have you guessing still, here's another clue.

Not only are there "animals" all over the property, there are people too. In statue form!

 

 

Statues, STATUES, everywhere.

 

Where am I? 

 

Still don't know? 

This not-so-secret place also boasts a formal Italianate garden, which is interesting to visit any time of the year.

 

 

 

 

Where am I?

 

Let's recap. We've got a French Norman Mansion with gargoyles galore.

This sculpture garden overlooks a formal walled garden. 

The property sits high on a hill in back, with views of the Neshaminy Creek. 

 

Where am I?

 

Still stumped? 

I'm at Bucks County Community College in Newtown, PA! 

 

 

A walk around Tyler Mansion and Gardens is always a special treat. 

I took my parents this past Spring and we had a picnic. Felt like we were in old England for the afternoon.

 

 

If you are interested in visiting Tyler Mansion and Gardens, the College appreciates it if you will go on weekends when classes are not in session. Pull up and park as close to Tyler Hall as you can, then walk around to the back on the left side of the mansion to get to the Orangery area and gardens.

 

Click here for more information on the history of this wonderful (and secret!) Bucks County attraction.

 

"If there is on Earth a house with many mansions, it is the house of words."

E.M. Forster



"Selfie" taken walking around Tyler's grounds in the snow and 24 degree weather ;)