Quiet, rural living with river access in Petsworth
Petsworth is a rural Gloucester County community between the York and Piankatank Rivers. U.S. Route 17, the main highway on southeastern Virginia’s Middle Peninsula, runs through Petsworth. While most errands require a drive into nearby Gloucester Courthouse, Petsworth offers a quiet home base with access to fishing, hiking and nature. Hundreds of years ago, this area saw a bit more action, as it was a strategic site for the Confederacy: Fort Nonsense Historical Park commemorates Petsworth’s role during the Civil War. The fort was built to guard the area from Union forces, but it faced the opposite direction of the attacks. According to local legend, this mishap prompted a resident to remark, “My, what a piece of nonsense.” The name stuck.
Petsworth offers homes in the country
Many homes are situated along quiet country roads, although there are some residential clusters. New Traditional, modern transitional and ranch-style homes sit on wooded, level lots amongst the area’s farms and trees. Prices range from about $80,000 to $750,000. Single-story properties under 2,000 square feet typically cost less than $300,000, while larger, 21st-century builds with accompanying larger lots fetch top prices. About 87% of homes are owner-occupied.
Public and private schools in the Petsworth area
Gloucester County Public Schools, rated B-minus on Niche, serve the area. Students may attend Petsworth Elementary and Peasley Middle, which are both rated B, before advancing to B-minus-rated Gloucester High School. The high school completed a full-scale, multi-year renovation in 2025. Alternatively, Christchurch School is a nearby private high school; this A-plus-rated institution provides an Episcopal education, offering both day and boarding options at its campus on the Rappahannock River. In 2024, the Christchurch varsity sailing team took top honors at the Atlantic Coast Championship.
Fishing, camping and off-roading in Petsworth
Outdoor recreation in Petsworth revolves around the water and the woods. Fishing boats can enter the Piankatank River, a tributary that empties into the Chesapeake Bay, from Deep Point Boat Ramp. In addition to several fish species, this river environment is home to birds like herons and bald eagles. Nature lovers can go camping at Thousand Trails by the Piankatank River. Beaverdam Lake also has a boat launch and a fishing pier; this 635-acre reservoir is surrounded by trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Locals can ride motocross bikes, dirt bikes and four wheelers in the shady woods at Robert’s Track and Trails.
Shopping and dining in and around Petsworth
Residents can head to the intersection of George Washington Memorial Highway and Davenport Road to get food from Dollar General and family-owned Dutton’s Grocery. Farmer’s Daughter Produce sells pumpkins in the fall, Christmas trees in the winter and produce in the spring and summer. Big-box stores like Walmart and The Home Depot are about 9 miles down Route 17.
Petsworth doesn’t have any restaurants, but Gloucester Courthouse has several eateries, shops and community events on Main Street. Clothing boutiques, a florist and other specialty stores line this pedestrian-friendly downtown area. Porter’s On Main provides a warmly sophisticated ambiance along with steak, seafood and cocktails. The Gloucester Daffodil Festival on Main Street signals the start of spring. This long-running celebration features local vendors, live music and a parade of floats decorated with daffodils.
Traffic slows Route 17 during rush hour
Petsworth is a car-dependent area with no public transportation. However, U.S. Route 17 keeps this rural community connected to the wider region. Riverside Walter Reed Hospital is about 7 miles down Route 17 and Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is about 30 miles south. Commuters use this highway to reach Newport News Shipbuilding and other major employers south of Petsworth. “Route 17 does get backed up in the mornings and afternoons because the shipyard traffic can get heavy,” says Jacob Lewellen, lifelong resident of Gloucester County. “But heading west, it’s a pretty relaxing drive; there aren’t a lot of stoplights, so you’re just cruising.”
