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Pennsylvania Horticultural Society – Meadowbrook Farm

Designed and created by J. Liddon Pennock, Jr. (1913-2003), Meadowbrook Farm remains his garden legacy. Situated on 25 acres in Abington Township to the north of Philadelphia, 18 of those acres are lightly-managed, second-growth woods and the remaining seven acres contain the private house, display gardens, and garden center. The original parcel of 150 acres, the house, and its furnishings were given to Liddon and his wife, Alice Herkness (1915-1996), as a wedding gift by her parents in 1936.

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What you’ll do

Originally the home of J. Liddon Pennock and Alice Herkness Pennock, Meadowbrook Farm is a 25 acre property where visitors can come to enjoy formal and informal gardens, seasonal plantings, and an extremely diverse plant palette. Explore and experience Meadowbrook Farm:

  • The Gardens: The Pennocks were known to say, “We didn’t want to have an estate, we wanted a place that our friends could enjoy”. Visitors continue to enjoy the gardens thanks to their bequest of the property to the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society in 2004. Celebrate the garden as art at the PHS Garden at Meadowbrook Farm, where the gardens have been lovingly tended for over 80 years.
  • The House: The house at Meadowbrook Farm is a place where you can step back to a time of post-war charm of this thriving floral family. The Pennock’s were one of Philadelphia’s High Society families and an integral part of the area’s social life. The decades of Mr. Pennock’s horticultural innovation can be seen throughout the gardens from his special cloud pruning to his southern magnolias, a tree rarely seen in the north in the 1950’s.
  • The Shop: The Shop offers Meadowbrook grown plants and pots that can be purchased, featuring begonias, cactus and succulents, ferns, and unusual versions of old favorites. The shop is located at the green striped awning, at the end of the display garden.

Plan your visit

Groups love the intimate settings and beautiful grounds of PHS Meadowbrook Farm. These guided group tours lead guests through the renowned gardens while learning the historic legacy of Meadowbrook Farm and J. Liddon Pennock, Jr. Tours include entry to the Pennock’s house, where you are guided through the reception hall, dining room, living room, card room, and glass room, followed by a guided walk through the gardens.

Programs

Participate in the Thursday Gardening Series and other programs offered on site to have a unique hands on experience for your group.

Public Group Tours

Docent Guided house and garden tours occur on the third Thursday of the month.

  • The first tour is at 11:00 am. To reserve your spot, you must call Karen Tyler at 215-887-5900 at least three days prior.
  • The second tour of the day, our ‘Seasonal Tour with a Twist’ is at 6 pm and spots can be reserved online.

Private Group Tours

Private group tours can be arranged with Karen Tyler at 215-887-5900 or at [email protected]. Docent-led group tours are scheduled from April through September. Groups are considered 5 or more people. Price is $ 20 per person. Click here for a sample itinerary.

Where is it

Located in charming Abington Township, PHS Meadowbrook Farm is tucked away on Washington Lane. It’s just a short walk from the Meadowbrook SEPTA station with easy access to center city and the Philadelphia Suburbs.

Directions

  • From Pennsylvania Turnpike: Follow the Turnpike to exit 343 Willow Grove. Proceed south on Route 611 through Willow Grove for 2.2 miles, turn left onto Welsh Road (Boston Market will be on your right). Follow Welsh Road/Route 63 for 2.5 miles. At the second traffic light, turn right (St. John’s Church is on your left) onto Washington Lane. Go about half of a mile to the driveways on the left. 
  • From I-95, Dover, Delaware: Take I-95 to the Woodhaven exit (Route 63). Follow Route 63 (Welsh Road) until it dead ends. Turn left and at the first light, turn right onto Byberry Road. Turn left onto Philmont Avenue and follow through to Bethayers (road name changes to Welsh Road at Huntingdon Pike). Proceed west on Welsh Road and at the fourth traffic light make a left onto Washington Lane. Meadowbrook Farm is about half of a mile on the left.
  • From Center City Philadelphia: Take Schuylkill Expressway (Route 76) north to Roosevelt Boulevard and exit at Broad Street. Follow north to Route 611 and bear right onto Route 611. In Jenkintown, turn right onto the Fairway (CVS will be on the right). Take it to the end. After first stop sign, make a left onto Valley Road. Turn left at Washington Lane. Pass stop sign and Meadowbrook Road (blinking light) to the entrances on the right.
  • From Atlantic City: Take the Walt Whitman Bridge to I-95 north, then exit at Academy Road and follow to Grant Avenue. Turn left on Grant Avenue. Make a right onto Welsh Road and follow to the end. Turn right onto Huntingdon Pike. Turn left at the second light onto Route 63 west. At the fourth light, turn left onto Washington Lane. Meadowbrook Farm is approximately half of a mile down Washington Lane on the left.
  • From New York and New Jersey: Head south on the New Jersey Turnpike and take exit 6 to Pennsylvania Turnpike to Exit 343 Willow Grove. Proceed south on Route 611 through Willow Grove, turn left onto Route 63 Welsh Road. Continue 2.5 miles and turn right at light onto Washington Lane (St. John’s Church is on your left). Driveways will be on the left.
  • From Baltimore and Washington: Follow I-95 north to 476 north to Pennsylvania Turnpike east to Exit 343 Willow Grove. Continue with Pennsylvania Turnpike directions above.

Hours & Schedule

The gardens are free and open to the public April to September. The PHS Growing Center at Meadowbrook Farm is open year-round by appointment.

  • Sunday-Tuesday: CLOSED
  • Wednesday: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
  • Thursday: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  • Friday-Saturday: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Things to keep in mind

Looking for more programs and events for your group to participate in? Meadowbrook Farm is run by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society who offer a series of award winning programs, classes and workshops, and unique events such as fabulous garden parties with flavorful food, and refreshing drinks, botanical cocktail events, walkabouts and tours, youth programs, flower shows and more. Explore their interactive calendar here.