Shadwell VA Real Estate

Introducing the 2025 Southern Living Idea House, Keswick Springs. Set on five acres blending manicured gardens with natural beauty in Keswick Estate just outside Charlottesville, this 4,900+ sq ft home offers 4 bedrooms and 4 full-plus-2 half baths, combining traditional Southern architecture with modern livability.  Light-filled interiors include a refined dining room, library, chef’s kitchen with scullery and wet bar, and multiple spaces for entertaining. The primary suite is a private retreat, while additional bedrooms and a snug studio offer flexibility for guests or work. Custom wallpaper, artisan-crafted millwork, and expansive windows frame garden and water views.  Outdoor living features deep porches, a screened porch, and terraces overlooking native plantings, kitchen gardens, fruit trees, and a tranquil lake.  Within Keswick Estate, owners have the option to join the Keswick Club, offering Pete Dye’s Full Cry championship golf course, an adults-only infinity-edge pool, tennis courts, fitness center, spa, and dining at Marigold by Jean-Georges. Enjoy a rare blend of timeless design, resort-style amenities, and a serene natural setting in one of Virginia’s most prestigious communities. $6,500,000 Active

2863 Palmer Dr Keswick, Virginia

4 Beds 5 Baths 5,766 SqFt 5.01 Acres

The former owner of Glenmore Club chose this location to build this exceptional, luxury estate. Why? This homesite overlooks the 17th hole of the golf course, the Rivanna River and Monticello! One could say this home offers the best views in all of Keswick and Glenmore. Enjoy the views with Pella windows and expansive back deck and terrace. Luxury abounds in this custom home designed for easy entertaining and great comfort.No expense was spared in this home including hardwood floors throughout main level, coffered ceilings, built ins and travertine surrounded gas fireplace in great room.Kitchen includes cherry cabinets, honed granite countertops, and top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances. Primary suite is a retreat with its own fireplace, sitting area, spa-like bathroom, custom shower, and incredible walk-in closet. A second main-level accessible suite is perfect for aging parents or guests. Upstairs, you’ll find four large bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms.  The terrace level is an entertainers dream! A large rec room with pool table and gorgeous stone fireplace, wine cellar for 500+ bottles, huge workout room and home theater.  Outdoor spaces are so inviting with expansive deck and professionally landscaped yard. $2,500,000 Active

1477 Kinross Ln Keswick, Virginia

6 Beds 8 Baths 10,593 SqFt 0.69 Acres

A hidden gem within the scenic Keswick area!  Only 10 minutes to Charlottesville and a couple minutes to I64 makes this location ideal!  With over 33 acres, multiple ponds, a main house and a 2000 square foot cabin, the possibilities of this property are endless! There is even a portion of the land that has been used for weddings in the past! Bring your ATV!  This property is the Outdoorsman's dream as it offers plenty of room for hunting and fishing!  Turn it into your own personal retreat! Plenty of room for extended family or guest! The main house is custom built and holds a bit of history as the woodwork is from James Madison's Montpelier.  You will find high craftsmanship through-out, including the Italian tile on the back porch. Make your appointment and come claim it for yourself! $2,200,000 Active

4995 Moriah Way Keswick, Virginia

7 Beds 5 Baths 7,823 SqFt 33.34 Acres

Commanding attention from one of Glenmore’s most coveted golf-front lots overlooking the 15th green, this iconic Neo-Georgian residence by Selinger Homes embodies timeless architectural grandeur. A semicircular portico supported by soaring Corinthian columns introduces the home with elegance and symmetry. A curved balustrade balcony and classic Palladian windows signify its authentic Georgian design. Inside, the sprawling three-level floor plan offers five spacious bedrooms, five full baths, and two half baths. Every room along the back of the home captures breathtaking panoramic views of the golf course. Outdoor living is equally refined, with exquisite brick patios and a stately covered porch framed by classic Georgian columns—perfect for entertaining! Additional highlights include two Primary Suites, four fireplaces, self contained Apt over garage, all new windows, separate water meter for irrigation, gleaming hardwood floors throughout and a brand new 2025 roof. A rare opportunity to own one of Glenmore’s most distinguished and architecturally significant properties. $2,185,000 Active

3141 Darby Rd Keswick, Virginia

5 Beds 6 Baths 8,808 SqFt 1.01 Acres

Set on a quiet cul-de-sac in Glenmore, this distinctive four-level home stands apart with its expansive mountain views, stylish updates, and exceptional outdoor living. Enjoy sunsets over Monticello from three levels of outdoor space—perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Thoughtful 2024 upgrades include a new roof with metal accents, updated second-level HVAC, refreshed upstairs hall bath, and a garage outlet ready for EV charging. The main level features generous gathering areas, a cozy library alcove, two fireplaces, and a well-appointed kitchen with cherry cabinetry, quartzite counters, Jenn-Air appliances, and a butler’s pantry. Upstairs you’ll find four bedrooms, including a spacious primary suite with a spa-like bath and access to one of the home’s view-filled decks. The top floor offers a light-filled sitting area and a private office with breathtaking vistas and its own secluded outdoor retreat. The terrace level adds a large rec room, bedroom, and full bath with walk-out access to a fenced yard. A rare blend of character and functionality—just a short golf cart ride to the Club at Glenmore. Current membership qualifies buyer for a 50% discounted initiation fee for club membership. $1,525,000 Active

3161 Prestwick Pl Keswick, Virginia

5 Beds 5 Baths 6,997 SqFt 0.52 Acres

Glenmore: One level living at its finest. Welcome to 3279 Melrose Lane - one of the nicest streets in Glenmore: flat driveway and fenced back yard make this an ideal location to call home. Updated inside and out, including a stunning new primary bathroom, updates on the other two bathrooms, new top of the line appliances in the kitchen, new flooring in bedrooms and throughout the entire terrace level, new paint throughout, poured sidewalks on both sides of the house which lead to a new covered stamped patio.  The exterior of the house, including the deck and doors were painted in 2024.The layout allows the opportunity to live all on one level with 27000 sf and with a fully finished terrace level  (2,000 + finished square feet finished by the owners) you can enjoy 5 bedrooms (3 up / 2 down) and 3 full baths - perfect for a multi-generational home! The spacious 2 1/2 car garage allows plenty of room for the golf cart. Melrose lane is an easy walk or golf cart ride to the golf course, pool, tennis and pickle ball courts, fitness center and the secret fishing ponds of Glenmore!  Lovely renovation and expansion to this home - new roof and HVAC. $1,199,000 Active

3279 Melrose Ln Keswick, Virginia

5 Beds 3 Baths 6,356 SqFt 0.45 Acres

Welcome to this meticulously maintained 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath Cape Cod-style home in the desirable Glenmore community. Set on a nearly level, beautifully landscaped lot with mature trees, this home offers an exceptional blend of indoor comfort and outdoor living. Enjoy your morning coffee on the large covered front porch, unwind with a book on the peaceful screened-in porch, or host guests on the spacious back deck or patio by the firepit. The fenced yard and curated gardens create a private retreat perfect for relaxation and entertaining. Inside, the main level features generous living areas filled with natural light. The fully finished basement expands the home’s versatility with a large rec room, bonus room, full bath, and a plumbed-in area ready for a kitchenette—ideal for guests, multi-generational living, or a home office setup. The oversized garage offers ample space for a workshop or extra storage. All of this just 15 minutes from Charlottesville, with access to Glenmore’s premier amenities including scenic golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, clubhouse, equestrian center and walking trails. A rare opportunity to enjoy quiet elegance and convenience in one of Central Virginia’s most sought-after gated communities! $940,000 Active

2075 Piper Way Keswick, Virginia

4 Beds 4 Baths 4,301 SqFt 0.69 Acres

Impeccably maintained and thoughtfully cared for, this handsome brick home is nestled within the prestigious gated community of Glenmore. Offering timeless curb appeal and quality craftsmanship, this property is a rare find. Step inside to a beautifully detailed formal living and dining rooms, featuring elegant cased openings and extensive moldings, including chair rail accents. The light-filled great room boasts a soaring cathedral ceiling, creating an open and airy atmosphere ideal for relaxing or entertaining. The kitchen is a chef's delight, showcasing stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, a central island, and a breakfast bar. A spacious dining area just off the kitchen pens to a rear deck-perfect for morning coffee or evening gatherings. Rich hardwood floors flow throughout the main living spaces. The main level includes a convenient primary suite, while the second floor offers three additional bedrooms and two full baths, providing ample space for family or guests. The full unfinished basement offers a wood-burning fireplace and a rough-in bath, presenting endless possibilities for future expansion. Purchaser can get 25% off of the initiation to The Club at Glenmore if they join within 30 days of closing. $939,000 Active

3402 Cotswold Ln Keswick, Virginia

4 Beds 4 Baths 5,848 SqFt 0.35 Acres

Escape to your private sanctuary on 8 acres in Keswick! This welcoming 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers abundant living space and has been thoughtfully updated by homeowners. As you enter the main level, the open living room with a wood stove invites you in, with a bedroom laundry/storage and half bath completing this floor. The heart of the home is a modern farmhouse kitchen featuring open shelving, and a large peninsula for casual dining. This space flows into a dining area, which opens into the garage. A versatile flex room with vaulted tongue and groove ceilings and skylights is adjacent to the family room. This space is perfect for a home office, playroom, or studio. The upstairs has two more bedrooms and two full, updated baths. Outside, enjoy the privacy of your expansive, fenced-in yard. There's plenty of space to meet anyone's needs, plus 8 acres of private land for gardening, chickens, and outbuildings to explore and use. Located just down from Stony Point Elementary, this home has been meticulously maintained with recent significant updates, including a new HVAC system, water heater, water filtration system, and more. This home is a private retreat waiting for you $800,000 Active

3908 Stony Point Rd Keswick, Virginia

3 Beds 3 Baths 3,508 SqFt 8.17 Acres

Shadwell real estate is limited to small, older homes that encircle the Glenmore Country Club and Keswick Estate.

Shadwell is a prime target for new housebuilders as the real estate values are much lower than the surrounding neighborhoods of Keswick and Earlysville.

Occasionally a sensational house hidden off of the old Richmond Road (Rt. 250 East) will come on the market.

For more information and a short driving, trip give me a call and we’ll tour the two above…

History of Shadwell, Virginia

In 1727, the County of Goochland, which included the present Albemarle, was founded.

On June 16, 1727, George Hoomes obtained a grant of thirty-one hundred acres, and Nicholas Meriwether one of thirteen thousand seven hundred and sixty-two acres, “at the first ledge of mountains called Chesnut.”

This was the first appropriation of the soil of Albemarle.

These grants lay east of the Rivanna River.

Two years later, Dr. George Nicholas obtained a grant for 2600 acres situated on the James, and including the present site of the village of Warren.

These investors in wilderness lands were wealthy men who already had large holdings in the eastern Virginia counties.

During the next ten years others of the same class followed them, many of who regarded their great patents as speculation, or a provision for younger sons, and did not expect immediately to occupy the land.

Secretary John Carter whose name is still attached to his first holding, Carter’s Mountain, Col.Thomas Carr, John Minor, Peter Jefferson whose name is perpetuated in Peter’s Mountain, Charles Hudson, Wm. Randolph and the Lewises were among these earliest patentees, and they, or their descendants, were in the regions development.

These large followed by many of more moderate size, whose owners at once cleared and cultivated their holdings.

Shadwell is just east of Charlottesville and was the site of Peter Jefferson’s home in the 1700’s.

Jefferson named his home after the English parish where his wife, Jane Randolf, had been christened.

The Jeffersons raised six children at Shadwell, among them their son Thomas.

“On the afternoon of February 1, 1770, Thomas Jefferson had dinner with his family at Shadwell before proceeding to Charlottesville.

At some time after his departure, the house burned to the ground.

A few books, his violin, and several beds were all that were saved from the blaze.

As he later informed [a friend], he lost ‘every paper I had in the world, and almost every book.’” [From Thomas Jefferson: Statesman of Science, by Silvio Bedini, p. 53.]

Among the items that perished were the irreplaceable journals, field notes, maps and account books bequeathed him by his father, surveyor and explorer Peter Jefferson.

Peter Jefferson was the grandson of a surveyor, and the son of a “gentleman justice” who also served as sheriff and captain of militia.

At the time of his father’s death in 1731, Peter’s share of the estate consisted of two slaves, some livestock and horses, and some undeveloped land in Goochland County.

He moved to that property on Fine Creek, cleared land, built a house, and planted crops.

Peter became one of the first justices of the peace and then sheriff of Goochland County.

His closest friend was William Randolph, and they served as magistrates and militia officers together.

They also worked to acquire land; Peter had his eye on choice acreage on the Rivanna River, but when he went to file on 1000 acres, he discovered that William had two days earlier filed on 2400 acres, including the 400 acre piece on which Peter had hoped to build a house.

William, learning of Peter’s dismay, promptly sold him the 400 acres, 200 acres for cash and 200 acres in exchange for “Henry Weatherbourn’s biggest bowl of arrack punch.”

Peter then married the tall and slender Jane Randolph (first cousin to William); he was 31 years old, she was 19.

They made their home at Fine Creek, and in the next two years became the parents of two daughters.

Accompanied by some of his highly skilled slaves, Peter journeyed to his Rivanna property and began clearing the land and building his homestead.

He named it “Shadwell” for the London parish in which his wife had been born.

Their son Thomas was born there in 1743.

Deed for the Shadwell Estate between William Randolph and Peter Jefferson

By deed dated May 18, 1736 William Randolph Esq. of the County of Goochland conveyed to Peter Jefferson, Gen’t. Of the County of Goochland, in consideration of “Henry Weatherborne’s biggest bowl of Arrack punch to him delivered,” one certain tract or parcel of land containing two hundred acres, situate, lying and being on the north side of the North Anna in the Parrish of St. James in the County of Goochland aforesaid and is bounded as followeth, to-wit:

Beginning at a corner black oak on the north side of the hive, thence north 23 degrees west 102 poles; thence north 64 degrees west 116 poles on the said line to a double hickory on the River shore the Sandy falls; thence down the river according to its meanders 332 pols to the beginning, and contains by estimation 200 acres be the same more or less.

Together with all houses, orchards, gardens, fences, woods, ways, waters, water courses and all other appurtenances to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining and all the state, right, title use, property, interests, claim and demand whatsoever, of the said William Randolph.

This deed provides:

That William Randolph, his heirs, shall and will at any time within the space of 7 years next after the date of the these presents at the reasonable request of the cost and charges in the law of said Peter Jefferson, his heirs and assigns, make, do and execute all such further and other deeds of conveyance necessary in the law for the better and more perfect assuring of the above granted land and premises in appurtenances.

Shadwell was a farmhouse of a story and a half in height, and had the four spacious ground rooms and hall, with garret columns above, common in these structures two hundred years since.

It also had the usual huge outside massive chimneys, planted against each gable like Gothic buttresses, but massive enough, had been their use, to support the walls of the cathedral, instead of those a low wooden cottage. In that house was born Thomas Jefferson (Rawlings 10).

Shadwell was located on the highway and was frequented by many visitors who received the old Virginia hospitality (Rawlings 10). The site of Peter Jefferson’s Shadwell is located a few miles east of Charlottesville on modern day 250 east and is denoted by a Virginia historical marker.

The next year, Peter was appointed surveyor of Goochland County and also became a member of the first county court in newly formed Albemarle County.

The following year, Peter set out with Brooke, Lewis and Winslow to survey the Fairfax Line [ed. note: see pg. 13 this issue].

Sarah Hughes observes in her book, Surveyors and Statesmen: “Unlike the surveys of 1736-1737, where the chains had been laid along the banks of rivers, that of 1746 was obliged to plunge across an uninhabited and inhospitable countryside.

From a spring in the Blue Ridge down into the Shenandoah Valley the way was easy; afterwards the surveyors climbed and descended range after range of the Allegheny Mountains to reach the headspring of the Potomac.”

Despite difficult terrain and conditions the surveyors persevered.

Peter Jefferson and his good friend and neighbor Joshua Fry began a partnership and were commissioned to create the newly established county lines between March 4th and the 16th in 1745.

In early September 1746 Joshua Fry and Jefferson teamed up again to survey the Fairfax line of the Northern Neck.

Once the data was collected from the expedition Jefferson and colleague Robert Brooke drew the plat based on William Mayo’s earlier map and Jefferson added topographic features such as the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains.

While in Williamsburg, Jefferson and Fry became aware of a request from the British Lords of Trade and Plantations to the Governor of Virginia for the creation of a comprehensive map of the Virginia Colony.

The two men were approved to complete the map on July 19, 1750.

According to Hickish, Fry had long dreamed of mapping Virginia showing the “bays, navigable rivers, counties, parishes, and principle estates,” which he had proposed on December 15, 1738 to the House of Burgesses.

The preliminary drawings were made at the Albemarle County’s surveyor’s office and the final draft was produced at Jefferson’s home Shadwell taking one year to complete and would be known as the “Fry-Jefferson Map”.

The Council examined the map and could not determine “where the hand of Jefferson ceased and that of Fry commenced.”

Peter Jefferson began to fall ill on June 25, 1757 and a slave was sent to Castle Hill to request the services of Dr. Thomas Walker.

Walker made eleven visits to Shadwell before Jefferson passed away on August 17, 1757. His death on August 17th at age forty-nine stunned everyone.

Through family connections and self-advancement Peter Jefferson was considered an accomplished man of his day. He acquired large tracts of land, led numerous surveying expeditions and created some of the most detailed and accurate maps of his day.

Jefferson’s talents and skills would greatly influence his son Thomas Jefferson who would follow in the footsteps of his father.

Of his personal possessions, his will directed that his desk, bookcases, cherished books, maps, original surveying notes and journals, surveying instruments, and his account books as Albemarle Surveyor be given to his son Thomas.

The devastating fire at Shadwell destroyed them all.(Mary Root)

Between Shadwell and Belmont was the estate of the Randolf family. Their house, built in 1828 was called Edgehill. Later, the house was the site of the Edgehill School and the C & O’s station here was (according to one source I have) once called Edgehill.

Shadwell in 1835 was a fairly large town.

It contained a large carding factory that employed 100 people, a large merchant mill owned by John Timberlake and Son, and a sawmill.

Within the town were also several general stores, assorted shops and private dwellings.

The Rivana River was navigable as far as the town and grain, tobacco, and other agricultural products were shipped from Shadwell. Until 1850 the town prospered. The beginning of the end came when the carding factory burned and was not rebuilt.

The C&O reached Shadwell in 1849. Shadwell was one of the earliest towns to have a station and agent; in 1850 it was one of only 10 depots on the line.

As late as the 1860’s there were mills along the Rivanna River near Shadwell and, during the Civil War, the Virginia Central set up temporary shops there.

In November of 1897 an engine left the tracks at Shadwell taking several cars with it.

Five people were killed and sixteen injured in the wreck.

An investigation by the railroad commission concluded that the train was going too fast in an attempt to make up lost time.

Today Shadwell is almost forgotten.

Most passersby on the old Richmond Road (Rt. 250 east) think it is part of Keswick and have very little idea of what went on here in the mid-18th century.