Our Royally Dog Friendly Road Trip
Fun Fact: Charlotte County is named for Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, on whom the Netflix “Bridgerton” series is based.
Thomas Gainsborough painted this portrait of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and her canine companion in 1781.
Thanks to Netflix’s Bridgerton series, Queen Charlotte is having a moment. We spent a Saturday in her namesake Virginia county and rated our experiences below.
History, recreation and sightseeing received 5 out of 5 stars.
We awarded 2 stars to dining because we did not find many dog friendly options. We suggest starting out on this adventure after eating a big, healthy breakfast and bringing a cooler filled with lunch, snacks, and drinks.
- Accommodations not rated
- Dining ⭐️⭐️
- Dog friendliness ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- History ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Recreation ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Sightseeing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What we loved best? Charlotte County’s rustic beauty.
The Southern Welfare Animal Group (SWAG)
Photos from Facebook
Our pack gives 5 out of 5 paws to the Southern Welfare Animal Group. This organization helps find forever families for Charlotte County’s 4-legged citizens who are down on their luck. Donations made through SWAG’s Amazon Gift List go straight to the pups in need.
Queen Charlotte, known for her generosity as well as for her fondness for pooches, would approve of the Southern Welfare Animal Group (and its acronym SWAG because every Queen needs some swag).
1st Stop
Map of Charlotte County from Virginia Department of Transportation County Road Maps
Patrick Henry’s Red Hill
1250 Red Hill Road, Brookneal
A mention of Founding Father Patrick Henry invariably includes his iconic 1775 declaration against British rule, “Give me liberty or give me death.”
(The British ruler at the time? Queen Charlotte’s husband, King George III)
Not as well known, Patrick Henry so loved Charlotte County that he retired in this location and made it his final resting place.
Expecting a grand, palatial estate? Think again. Patrick Henry lived in a humble abode.
Imagine living here with up to 13 other family members.
Patrick Henry passed away in 1799 after living at Red Hill for only a few years. The tombstone of this great orator reads simply,
“His fame his best epitaph.”
Although Patrick Henry spoke of liberty, he owned many slaves.
Photo from Facebook – Patrick Henry’s Red Hill
Generations of enslaved people lived and died at Red Hill and were buried on the property. Researchers continue working to identify all of the graves.
This is Harrison’s cabin, named after Harrison Henry who was born enslaved at Red Hill. Harrison lived in this cabin with his wife after emancipation.
Patrick Henry’s Red Hill allows dogs on the grounds but not inside the historic buildings. Fortunately, YouTuber John Theo provides a virtual tour.
I was most excited to see Red Hill’s National Champion Osage Orange, the biggest tree of its kind in the nation.
No one knows the exact age of this regal tree, but 350 years is a good guess. When Queen Charlotte was born in 1744, this tree was 100 years old. By the time Patrick Henry moved here over 50 years later, it was already a big tree.
Photos from Facebook – Patrick Henry’s Red Hill
As a sapling, this tree probably traveled to Virginia through trading until it reached the local Saponi tribe. Due to its resistance to decay, Native Americans used Osage Orange to make bows. Not native to Virginia, Osage Orange became popular in the Eastern states after the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Before the invention of barbed wire, cattle farmers planted these trees as a makeshift fence because the branches form an impenetrable barrier for livestock. Today, the wood is commonly used to make musical instruments. However, its weird green fruit seems to be popular only with squirrels.
A good map is hard to find but fortunately this one can be obtained at the Red Hill Visitor Center.
2nd Stop
Map of Charlotte County from Virginia Department of Transportation County Road Maps
Staunton River Battlefield State Park
1035 Fort Hill Trail, Randolph
This bridge, built in 1902, replaced its predecessor—the object of the Civil War Battle of Staunton River Bridge.
Photo from Facebook – Staunton River Battlefield State Park
The Union Army destroyed bridges and railways to prevent Confederate troops from receiving supplies.
However, on June 25, 1864, a Union troop of 5,000 failed to destroy the Staunton River Bridge thanks to a Confederate troop of underdogs, numbering about 800, and mostly comprised of old men and young boys.
The Confederate troops ran an empty train back and forth to mislead the Union troops that reinforcements were continually arriving. Thinking they were vastly outnumbered, the Union troops retreated after 4 unsuccessful attempts to take the bridge.
Photo from Facebook – Staunton River Battlefield State Park
A dog friendly visitor center! The Clover Visitor Center at Staunton River Battlefield State Park welcomes canines and their accompanying humans. (open Saturday & Sunday 10-4)
Exhibits at the center include: the Battle of Staunton River Bridge, Native American artifacts, and my favorite – local wildlife.
The trails at the park total about 2 miles, which seems the perfect length for today’s hike.
Photo from Facebook – Staunton River Battlefield State Park
Map from https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/staunton-river-battlefield-avenza-map.pdf
Photo from Facebook – Staunton River Battlefield State Park
If the weather cooperates, consider staying after sunset. Established in 2015 as Virginia’s first dark sky park, visitors can view the stars without light pollution. A telescope is nice to have but not necessary. However, bring binoculars if you have a pair.
Some Historical Facts about Queen Charlotte
Portrait of Queen Charlotte by Artist Allan Ramsay
In 1761, at the age of 17, Charlotte traveled with her hairdresser and her two Pomeranians to Britain from her native Germany to wed King George III. She spoke little English and had never met her future husband. Their fruitful marriage would ultimately produce 15 children and their legacy includes granddaughter Queen Victoria.
Queen Charlotte (1744-1818) with her Two Eldest Sons by Johann Zoffany
Cropped to better see the loyal royal doggo.
Queen Charlotte is credited with introducing Christmas trees to Britain. Other highlights from her 57 years of service include a performance by 8-year old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and her friendship with Marie Antoinette.
King George III suffered from mental illness during his reign. Theories on his diagnosis include porphyria, bipolar disorder, and dementia.
3rd Stop
Charlotte State Forest
36.9850000, -78.6286111
Map of Charlotte County from Virginia Department of Transportation County Road Maps
It’s a beautiful Saturday afternoon and we have Charlotte State Forest all to ourselves.
In 2020, Virginia’s Department of Forestry added this jewel to its state forest crown. Ducks are in luck because this place includes two creeks (Roanoke and Wards Fork) and forested wetlands.
Map from https://dof.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/Charlotte-SF-General-Map.pdf
Hiking is free at Charlotte State Forest but fishing requires a valid fishing or hunting license. If you visit during hunting season, be sure to wear blaze orange or pink.
4th Stop
Map of Charlotte County from Virginia Department of Transportation County Road Maps
Charlotte Court House Square
125 David Bruce Highway, Charlotte Court House
The history of Charlotte Court House includes an 1869 murder case that was never brought to justice.
YouTuber and Charlotte County native James the Ethnic Explorer tells about the murder on the courthouse steps and provides a tour of his hometown.
History buffs will appreciate the town’s historic buildings, including the Jeffersonian Court House, the Village Church Cemetery, and the spot where Patrick Henry delivered his final speech before retiring to the tavern. I like to think that he serenaded fellow patrons with his fiddle playing that evening.
Map found at Charlotte County historic attractions
5th Stop
Pino’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria
365 King Street, Keysville
Map of Charlotte County from Virginia Department of Transportation County Road Maps
Photo from Facebook: Pino’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria-Keysville
Although Pino’s doesn’t have dog friendly seating, pizza-to-go tastes just as heavenly in the car as it does at a table.
It is unlikely that Queen Charlotte ever ate a slice of this fabulous food. Pizza did not appear in London until the Victorian era and did not become popular in that city until World War II. However, ice cream was a thing even back in Queen Charlotte’s time.
Speaking of ice cream, look what’s just around the corner from Pino’s—a dog friendly ice cream shop! The perfect ending for a road trip.
Polar Xpress
365 King Street, Keysville
Now for the most important decision of the evening: Do we binge watch the Netflix miniseries Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story – or do we exercise portion control?
Road Trip Reads
These books added context for our visit and can be found on Audible for easy road trip listening.
This book provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of Queen Charlotte, her happy marriage to King George III, and its unhappy demise due to his debilitating mental illness.
Would the Revolutionary War have happened without Patrick Henry? After his now famous speech at the 1775 Virginia Convention, a narrow margin of votes determined that Virginia would fight the British for independence.
I found this book to be a terrific resource. Starting with basics, the author explains what we see when we look up and provides lots of tips to put us in the right place at the right time with the right equipment.
Know before You Go
Need a place to stay? We enjoyed wonderful dog friendly accommodations at 3 nearby spots:
30 minutes away
The Cozy Den in Farmville Photo from AirBnb
40 minutes away
Off Grid River Log Cabin in Appomattox Photo from AirBnb
60 minutes away
The Cozy House in Lynchburg Photo from AirBnb
Roving through Virginia with Rover 
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