Somerset is a community in western Orange County, Virginia known for its gorgeous views of rolling pastures, distant mountains, and numerous historic estates. The area was named after Somerset Plantation, an 1803 farm and estate owned by Thomas Macon, James Madison’s brother-in-law, with a main house designed by William Thornton, the architect of the U.S. Capitol. Today, the historic plantation is one of several Somerset homes in the Madison-Barbour Rural Historic District.

Somerset has been a prized estate region since the country’s founding, thanks to its fertile soils and idyllic scenery. James Madison’s Montpelier is located equidistant between Somerset and the town of Orange, serving the district’s historic capstone. Other historic buildings in Somerset include Frascati, an 1820’s Federal-style mansion built for Supreme Court justice Philip Pendleton Barbour, and Tetley, an 1843 palladian that remains an iconic example of Federal and Greek-revival architecture. Many of the more recent Somerset homes have taken great care to maintain the stately atmosphere of the area and complement the landscape.

If the historical significance and panoramic views weren’t enough to entice potential Somerset residents, the area is also located conveniently close to Charlottesville, Richmond, and Washington, DC. The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport is just 25 minutes away, providing a convenient gateway to anywhere while maintaining a peaceful country character.