Tucked away in Akron, Ohio, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is a 70-acre historic estate that feels like stepping into a page from a Brothers Grimm fairytale. Built between 1912 and 1915 for F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, this magnificent property offers visitors a magical journey through some of Ohio’s most enchanting garden landscapes.
A Tudor Revival Masterpiece
The Manor House is one of the finest examples of Tudor Revival architecture in America, and the sixth largest home open to the public. The long, sprawling Manor House encompasses 64,500 square feet and includes four floors and a lower level, but it’s the surrounding gardens that truly transport visitors to another world. The estate was named Stan Hywet, loosely translated from Old English meaning “stone quarry” or “stone hewn,” to reflect the site’s earlier use and the abandoned stone quarries.
The Enchanted Garden Landscapes
Designed between 1912 and 1915 by renowned American landscape architect Warren Manning, Stan Hywet’s grounds represent one of the finest remaining examples of Mr. Manning’s private work in the United States. Each garden offers its own distinct personality and magical atmosphere that makes every corner feel like a discovery.
The Birch Tree Allée – A Natural Cathedral
At the end of the Birch Tree Allée is the Birch Tree Allée Vista, a stunning overlook of the Lagoon, with distant views of the Cuyahoga Valley. This tree-lined pathway creates a natural cathedral effect, with sunlight filtering through the white birch bark and delicate leaves overhead. At the end of the Allée are the Tea Houses, a pair of garden pavilions made of stone, timber and slate. Walking down this enchanted corridor feels like following a path that could lead to a secret kingdom.
The English Garden – A Shipman Masterpiece
The English Garden, redesigned by Ellen Biddle Shipman in 1929 and restored in the 1990s, is one of the only Shipman gardens open to the public. This formal garden showcases the work of one of America’s pioneering female landscape architects. The carefully planned beds, geometric patterns, and seasonal blooms create a living tapestry that changes throughout the year, making each visit feel like discovering a new chapter in an ongoing fairy tale.
The Mystical Lagoon
The name “Stan Hywet,” or “stone quarry” in Old English, was named for a prominent feature of the Estate, a sandstone quarry that is now the site of the Lagoon. The largest of the Lagoon’s pools is 15 feet deep and was created from the abandoned quarry operation. Two other pools were added to connect the waterways. This water feature creates a serene, almost otherworldly atmosphere where visitors can imagine fairy folk gathering at twilight. The Lagoon was restored in 2020, bringing back its original splendor.
The Breakfast Room Garden
Awash with color and filled with the sweet fragrance from its many blooms, the Breakfast Room Garden has been restored to its original design. The blue, white, and gold color scheme present in the Breakfast Room is echoed in the plantings outside in this garden. This intimate space connects the indoor and outdoor worlds seamlessly, creating a perfect harmony between architecture and nature that feels both sophisticated and whimsical.
The Dell – A Woodland Wonderland
The Dell is a naturalistic woodland garden where drifts of daffodils bloom in spring, followed by the ephemeral wildflowers that bloom later in spring. This area feels like stepping into a secret forest clearing where you might expect to encounter woodland creatures or discover hidden treasures among the native plants and meandering pathways. The natural design philosophy here creates an experience that feels both wild and carefully curated.
Special Features for Modern Visitors
Beyond the historic gardens, Stan Hywet offers plenty of scenic trails and even a sensory kids garden that delights younger visitors. The music garden plays melodies and blows bubbles all around, creating an interactive fairytale experience. There’s a sand area that makes sounds when children enter the doghouse, motion-activated sprinklers, lawn bowling, and even a castle replica where kids can play and slide. The estate thoughtfully balances historical preservation with family-friendly amenities, ensuring that visitors of all ages can experience the magic.
The Perfect Setting for Special Moments
Many visitors describe Stan Hywet as their “fairytale venue of dreams,” and it’s easy to see why. The gardens provide an incredible backdrop for photography, quiet contemplation, or simply escaping from the modern world into a more enchanted time and place. Wedding ceremonies on the West Terrace overlook the stunning landscape, while the Carriage House provides an elegant reception venue surrounded by these magical gardens.
Seasonal Magic Throughout the Year
Each season brings its own enchantment to Stan Hywet’s gardens. Spring awakens the daffodils and early wildflowers in The Dell, while summer brings the Breakfast Room Garden to its full colorful glory. Fall transforms the Birch Tree Allée into a golden tunnel of light, and winter’s special “Deck the Hall” events illuminate the estate with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a true winter wonderland.
Planning Your Fairytale Visit
The Estate is open to the public April through December, closed on Mondays. Through the day before Thanksgiving, hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10am-6pm, with last admission at 4:00 pm. Admission for non-member adults is $15, youth ages 3-17 is $7, and children 2 and under are free. From the day after Thanksgiving through December 30, the estate opens only for special Deck the Hall events.
The Garden History Tour takes guests around the estate and focuses on how the Seiberlings worked closely with their landscape architect on the overall design. For those who want to delve deeper into the magical design elements, guided tours offer fascinating insights into how these fairytale landscapes were carefully planned and executed over more than a century ago.
A Living Storybook
Warren Manning and Manor House architect Charles Schneider worked closely together, and the result is a remarkable blending of nature and architecture at Stan Hywet. This harmonious integration creates an experience that feels organic yet intentional, wild yet refined – exactly the kind of setting where fairy tales come to life. The estate features a historic 65-room Tudor Revival Manor House, Gothic Revival Conservatory, Gate Lodge and approximately 70 acres of artistically landscaped grounds and formal gardens.
Whether you’re seeking Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, a peaceful escape into nature, or simply want to experience one of Ohio’s most magnificent garden estates, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens delivers an unforgettable journey through landscapes that truly feel like something from a fairytale. Each garden tells its own story, and together they create a narrative of beauty, craftsmanship, and timeless magic that continues to enchant visitors more than a century after its creation. Above the Manor House entryway, the crest bearing the motto “Non Nobis Solum” (Not for Us Alone) welcomes guests as warmly today to its historic home and landscaped gardens as it did almost a century ago.
hidden-garden-trail-fairytale Ohio Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron features 70 acres of fairytale-like garden landscapes designed by renowned architects Warren Manning and Ellen Biddle Shipman.
