Ayr Mount

I went up to Ayr Mount during the week because it was a BEAUTIFUL day and I wanted someplace nice to eat my lunch outdoors. This property did not disappoint. There is plenty of parking and 2 – 3 picnic table areas with a few tables per area. The property is very well landscaped with huge old trees, flowers, and a number of large fields for recreation (soccer, frisbee, football, picnics). The property also has a few trails that lead to a large pond and one that goes along the river. There is also a large house historic home on the property that I believe you can tour at certain times for a fee, but I haven’t made it there yet.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear about Ayr Mount because of a wedding I was working on the property. It consists of a beautiful piece of land in Hillsborough, a fifteen minute drive from North Durham. Ayr Mount houses walking paths, a large pond and a federal-​era plantation house that has been restored and offers in-​season tours for $ 12/​person. The property is free to visit in season (March 15-​December 15, Wed-​Sat 11am until sunset, Thur-​Sun 2pm until sunset) and makes for the perfect picnic destination if you’re looking to enjoy the weather. The grounds are lovely, not lots of flowers or bushes but as far as you can see manicured green lawns. And unless you’re interrupt a wedding, you’ll be one of only a handful of people at the property.
I would definitely recommend calling ahead of showing up as they do host a lot of events (weddings) here and I wouldn’t want you to be turned away. I’m already itching for the summer again so I can pack a picnic to bring here and enjoy the Poet’s Walk. I haven’t toured the house, but I look forward to participating in that as well (I would also call ahead if you plan to tour the house – although Ayr Mount is well known in Hillsborough, it is a small establishment and thus schedules can change quickly).

This is a lovely place. The mile long Poet’s Walk is a charming stroll along the Eno River, meadows, woods and the reflecting pond. Bring a picnic, but plan to remove all your trash. There are no trash cans.
I haven’t been in the house, yet. The outside is a lovely example of early 19^th century Federalist architecture.

Somehow with all the hiking I’ve done around here over the years, I’ve never made it to Ayr Mount. Bad move!
Ayr Mount is a restored 1800s plantation property on the north bank of the Eno River. Its 265 acres have lovely plantings and landscaping, open fields for running and flying kites, and wooded trails for dogs and their humans. The grounds and house are so beautiful that people hold their weddings/​receptions here. I can see why.
I didn’t get a chance to do all of the 1-​mile-​long trail (called Poet’s Walk) this trip, but next time, for sure.