Ayr Mount Historic Site
Ayr Mount Historic Site
4.6
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Located in Hillsborough, North Carolina, Ayr Mount strikes a startling figure in the historical town. The 1815 federal, masonry home was the first of its kind in this once bustling trade town, and thanks to the preservation efforts of our founder Richard Jenrette, remains well preserved with several original family objects on display. CAHPT invites you to explore the site to learn about the design, construction, and maintenance of the estate as well as the very lives of those, enslaved and free, who crafted, lived, and occupied the extravagant home and landscape from 1820 to 2018. Guided tours will be offered Thursday & Friday at 1:00pm and 2:30pm. Tours on Saturday take place at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm. All guests must purchase tickets in advance: https://tickets.classicalamericanhomes.org/ayr-mount. The grounds and Poets Walk are open daily from 9:00am to 7:00pm.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.6
105 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
25
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Don N
Raleigh, NC2,635 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
Ate is a beautiful house just outside the historic town of Hillsborough. As indicated by other reviews was built in 1815 by a Scottish Merchant
We did but take the tour which wasn't offered when we were there. However the house and grounds are beautiful. There are chairs to sit in behind the house to enjoy the view. They also have a picnic area. Unfortunately there are NO restrooms.
The Poet's Walk is a one mike trail and goes by the Eno River. You can actually see the river from the back of the house.
Nice parking area if you visit Hillsborough this is a must. Not very well known but with the visit!
We did but take the tour which wasn't offered when we were there. However the house and grounds are beautiful. There are chairs to sit in behind the house to enjoy the view. They also have a picnic area. Unfortunately there are NO restrooms.
The Poet's Walk is a one mike trail and goes by the Eno River. You can actually see the river from the back of the house.
Nice parking area if you visit Hillsborough this is a must. Not very well known but with the visit!
Written 3 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jpete02
Lansing, MI989 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
The grounds and the exterior of the house are the main things to see here as the interior of the house is closed for tours. Not sure if it is closed due to Covid or if they ever plan to reopen the interior.
The house is beautifully proportioned and one of the finest houses of the very early 1800’s in the South. A nice one mile loop walk that goes along the Eno river and a pond is a restful activity on a nice day. This was a plantation during its day but none of the outbuildings are left.
No bathroom facilities or trash cans on the grounds but they do have a few picnic tables.
The house is beautifully proportioned and one of the finest houses of the very early 1800’s in the South. A nice one mile loop walk that goes along the Eno river and a pond is a restful activity on a nice day. This was a plantation during its day but none of the outbuildings are left.
No bathroom facilities or trash cans on the grounds but they do have a few picnic tables.
Written 28 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Betty E
Hillsborough, NC125 contributions
Feb 2020
Ayr Mount is a Federal style plantation. Ayr Mount was built in 1799 when William Kirkland bought 500 acres.. I could give you lots of history about Ayr Mount,but would rather tell you every time I take company there it is fun to see how they react to the beauty of the place. There is a small fee to see the house but the Poet's Walk is free to use and it makes for a good hiking trail. Enjoy.
Written 22 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JAS576
New York, NY70 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
So, I'm down in North Carolina visiting a friend and we're looking for things to do in the Triangle Area. I love plantations and historic homes, so an online search revealed Ayr Mount, a plantation built by the Kirkland family in 1815, right outside Hillsborough.
Tours don't happen every day, and you need to check before you go, but if you're interested in history, GO! The house is stunningly preserved and contains many original furnishings. The house is just gorgeous and our guide, Shotzie, was delightful and very knowledgable.
The house can only be visited by tour, and it costs $10 and lasts an hour. Afterwards, wander the grounds and enjoy the lovely paths and the Eno River.
In Hillsborough itself, you can pick up food at the Weaver Street Market and have a picnic on the grounds: there are tables and plenty of space to sit down and just enjoy yourself.
Be aware, there were no facilities that I was aware of, and no on site shops or food. Plan accordingly!
A hidden gem and a real glimpse into the life of an early, very wealthy merchant family. Well worth the side trip if you're in the neighborhood!
Tours don't happen every day, and you need to check before you go, but if you're interested in history, GO! The house is stunningly preserved and contains many original furnishings. The house is just gorgeous and our guide, Shotzie, was delightful and very knowledgable.
The house can only be visited by tour, and it costs $10 and lasts an hour. Afterwards, wander the grounds and enjoy the lovely paths and the Eno River.
In Hillsborough itself, you can pick up food at the Weaver Street Market and have a picnic on the grounds: there are tables and plenty of space to sit down and just enjoy yourself.
Be aware, there were no facilities that I was aware of, and no on site shops or food. Plan accordingly!
A hidden gem and a real glimpse into the life of an early, very wealthy merchant family. Well worth the side trip if you're in the neighborhood!
Written 24 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi JAS576. Thanks so much for coming to visit Ayr Mount and your recent review. We agree that the house is stunningly preserved and a treat for visitors interested in history, period furniture and architecture. Classical American Homes Preservation Trust has a house museum in South Carolina that is open for for tours. If you get back to the south you should check it out. Go to our website listed above to see Millford or sign up for our mailing list. Cheers from the Ayr Mount staff.
Written 26 July 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
persimmonkilgore
Broadway, NC37 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
Excellent tour of a remarkable house. The guide, Pat, was gracious, entertaining, and knowledgeable. We were probably inside the house for an hour. I highly recommend this tour to adults and children 6 and older. One of the best guides I have encountered in many years.
Written 27 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane H
Hillsborough, NC29 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
I love walking the one mile trail at Ayrmount, called Poet's Walk. It is a beautiful well maintained trail with hills, flat trail, riverside, a historic house, and a pond along the way. It's a lovely spot for a picnic, and hosts weddings and other special events. The house tour is worth taking too. This place is a treasure, just a few blocks from downtown Hillsborough.
Written 8 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jo K
Hillsborough, NC22 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
I am fortunate to live down the street from Ayr Mount, as it continuously draws me to its beauty. The inside of the house is furnished impeccably with priceless antiques which perfectly complement the stunning moldings and art work.
For me though...it is the grounds and the trail which beckon me for I love to be out in nature and to muse as i wander along Poet's walk. It is magical at all times of the year.
Perhaps after your walk, sit upon the wonderful adirondack chairs and pretend the grounds are yours...
A most special place...any time of the year...
For me though...it is the grounds and the trail which beckon me for I love to be out in nature and to muse as i wander along Poet's walk. It is magical at all times of the year.
Perhaps after your walk, sit upon the wonderful adirondack chairs and pretend the grounds are yours...
A most special place...any time of the year...
Written 2 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcia B
Durham, NC98 contributions
May 2014 • Family
Ayr Mount should not be missed! Superb house, and the grounds are wonderful to relax in. The Poet's Walk is a grand meander through the woods around the bottom land of the home site. Before long, it should be connected to Hillsborough's River Walk. Highly recommended!
Be sure to find out if home open to the public when you want to visit. Christmas is also a fun, beautiful time to see the house.
Be sure to find out if home open to the public when you want to visit. Christmas is also a fun, beautiful time to see the house.
Written 13 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy B
Charleston, SC1 contribution
Oct 2011 • Couples
Ayr Mount is a beautiful and immaculately-maintained property just a few minutes away from the center of Hillsborough, NC. The pleasing Federal-style proportions outside and lovely period furnishings inside the house lead the visitor on a calming trip back to the early Nineteenth Century, while the perfectly-kept grounds and Poet's Walk along the Eno River offer a true retreat from the sights and sounds of Twenty-First Century life. This historic site is a true jewel in this Colonial town's crown. My favorite times to visit are in fall, when the leaves are brilliant, and in spring, when the new flowering trees, shrubs, and spring bulbs are out. Not to be missed almost any time--with or without your dog and/or children!
Written 8 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EdA27
Cedar Grove, WI163 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
My wife and I were the only two for the tour. Our guide was delightful and very informative. Our picnic on the grounds was solitary except for the song birds.
Written 31 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Plan to be in area around Sept. 28th. Anything special going on then at Ayr Mount?
Written 13 August 2018
Is there anything special in the month of June? I have a gardening group of women who would be interested in viewing this historic site.
Written 20 May 2016
1815Schatzie
Hillsborough, North Carolina
Hi - Thanks so much for contacting Ayr Mount about a visit. There are no public events scheduled in June at our site but we do have private events scheduled. There are several things in the Triangle area that I would be happy to tell you about if you want to contact me via email - there is a link in our profile. Guided tours are given from March 15 through Dec. 15 on Wed. at 11 AM, then on Thurs, Fri, and Sat at 11 AM and 2 PM and on Sunday we offer a tour at 2 PM. Groups can tour the house with advance appointment any day of the week so please email if you'd like to schedule a time for your group to visit or if you have questions. Cheers, Schatzie
Written 21 May 2016
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