I love Hagley; I mean, I really love Hagley. It is my must go to spot for fall foliage photos each year. I was first introduced to Hagley many years ago when I was resources editor at a local magazine, I had been writing about Hagley for quite a while sight unseen when the PR rep invited me for a tour one October. I knew all about Hagley and I’d written about Hagley and it’s events plenty of times but until I arrived there that autumn morning I just had no idea how beautiful it really is; it’s breathtaking.

I suppose I should tell you about the history and the beautiful Eleutherian Mills house or the working steam engine or the powder mill or the wonderful little Belin House Café at the top of the hill, but truthfully what brings me back year after year after year is Hagley’s beauty. The Brandywine River, which runs parallel to Hagley, calls me back each year to photograph the glorious autumn splendor and the water, which gives life to the beautiful Brandywine River Valley.

You arrive and make your way through the indoor museum — which tells the story of the Powder Mill — before exiting out to what is easily the most beautiful spot in the Brandywine Valley. Here you can either hop on the bus for a tour to learn more about the property and its history or make your way on foot along the Brandywine River stopping as you wish to visit the powder mill or the steam engine or the assortment of stone buildings along the river. I highly recommend the walk, but do make time for the tour and to see the house. Oh, and do have lunch at the Belin House Café while you’re there, the grilled cheese is delicious.

All the photos in this post are from our visit on Saturday, November 8th. I highly recommend a walk along the Brandywine at Hagley before all the leaves have fallen this year. It’s worth braving the coming cold weather, I promise.

Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington, Delaware, http://www.hagley.org