West Brandywine

Among its bucolic landscapes, around 7,331 residents have found their sanctuary in West Brandywine. Within the embrace of Chester County, West Brandywine is a bedroom community and historic township incorporated in 1844.

Gently cradled between the east and west branches of the Brandywine River, the township paints an idyllic rural picture. Its defining feature lies in the abundant woodlands swathing the area offering scenic views and generous parcels of land, providing seclusion and space for farming.

“This area is an ideal location due to the rustic feel with access to nature but also surrounded by dining and activities,” says Gary Mercer a Realtor with KW Greater West Chester. Horseshoe Pike traverses through West Brandywine, which can take you 35 Miles to Center City Philadelphia and 25 Miles to Lancaster.

The heart of West Brandywine lies in its numerous farms where locals cultivate produce and tend to their land. The township thrives with equestrian centers, poultry farms and agricultural homesteads. From homemade goat milk and cheese to farm-raised animals, West Brandywine’s residents are immersed in a life nurtured by nature.

As you explore the homes of West Brandywine, you’ll be met with a winding, rolling and hilled terrain enveloped by lush trees at every corner. The architecture ranges from charming Cape Cods and stone Colonial Revival homes with long driveways to ranch-style houses and split levels with attached two-car garages. West Brandywine generously provides the opportunity for those seeking ample acreage for their homestead, with the median home price in this backcountry community hovering around $500,000.

As for education in West Brandywine, Reeceville Elementary and North Brandywine Middle School caters to its youngest residents. Notably, North Brandywine Middle School ranks #5 for the most diverse schools in the state, according to Niche. Off Manor Road is Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic School, a private, faith-based school serving Pre-K through eighth grades. This school offers a STREAM-based curriculum emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math. Students may also be interested in attending Collegium Charter School, a free public school educating preschoolers up to 12th grade and offering a summer STEM program where the youngsters will learn how to code.

When the little ones aren’t frolicking around in the backyard, several local parks offer small playscapes for a change in scenery, including Cross Creek Municipal Park. For friendly games of baseball and shaded picnic tables, Spatola Park on Raleigh Drive is the place to be. You’re also just a stone’s throw away from Hibernia County Park, a natural oasis spanning 900 acres with sloping trails where residents can cast their line out for Largemouth Bass and Catfish along the banks of Brandywine Creek.

The Brandywine YMCA offers a multitude of recreational activities in this pastoral community. From swimming, weightlifting, basketball and pickleball, this is where residents of West Brandywine stay active. The Golf Zone Family Fun Center is ideal for an afternoon of leisurely fun, where residents thrill in miniature golf and go-kart racing.

While the at home garden might bear bountiful harvests, locals can head to Coatesville for a bite. Or nearby, get a table at Kings Tavern, indulge in their signature tavern classics like their southern fried chicken and bacon filet mignon and pair it with their Single Malt Scotch Whiskey.

Although West Brandywine does not have extensive retail options, Cricket’s Antiques & Garden pulsates with vintage finds where you can rummage through heirlooms, art and verdant plants to adorn your home. The market hosts seasonal maker markets, enlivening the shopping experience with artisan vendors. Manor Farm Market on Manor Road offers fresh, pesticide-free tomatoes, corn, peaches, and homemade desserts for your grocery needs. Alternatively, Crop’s Fresh Marketplace is a local family-owned grocery store readily available for daily essentials.

With its serene agricultural identity, West Brandywine is the place for residents seeking a slower pace of life.

Written By

Pao Cordero

Photography Contributed By

Jay Ratchford

Video By

Jacob Cardwell