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Welcome to the
OLDE ENGLISH DISTRICT

Connect with Character

The Olde English District honors its storied past while embracing the future. Here you can enjoy small-town charm, outdoor recreation, unique shopping opportunities, wonderful eateries, fun family adventures and so much more. It’s also a fantastic place to simply relax and recharge, disconnecting from the rigors of everyday life.

Spanning the counties of Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Union and York, we invite you to see all that we have to offer. We know you’ll love what you discover in South Carolina’s Olde English District.

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York County

Just south of Charlotte, North Carolina, York County is a vibrant area packed with outdoor recreation, local restaurants and buzzing breweries. It is home to Kings Mountain National Military Park (as well as a state park by the same name, which commemorates a key Revolutionary War battle). The Anne Springs Close Greenway is a natural escape, perfect for an afternoon picnic or leisurely hike. Grab a bite in Downtown Rock Hill, also known as Old Town, at Kounter, Elk Ave Tavern or Flipside Restaurant, and be sure to check out some of the nearby watering holes after a delicious meal.

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Union County

Officially in South Carolina’s “Upstate,” Union County starts to hint at the foothills that rise to rolling hills and vistas. A visit to Union is not complete without a tour of downtown Civil Rights-era historic sites — nor without a stop at Midway BBQ. History buffs will love the Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site in Sumter National Forest, which tells the rich yet complicated story of many generations of plantation dwellers. Adrenaline junkies, however, may want to visit the Union County Dragway just southeast of the town of Union.

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Chester County

With various water access points, agri-tourism destinations and scenic state parks, Chester County offers opportunities for both outdoor adventure and relaxation. Visitors often gravitate to the Catawba River or Landsford Canal State Park. The 523-acre Chester State Park is a haven for hiking, picnicking, boating and fishing. From enjoying annual festivals such as the Flopeye Fish Festival in Great Falls or Lily Fest at Landsford Canal State Park to stopping by local farms for u-pick produce, Chester County is a breath of fresh air from life’s hustle and bustle.

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Lancaster County

With a rich art community, Lancaster County features galleries and a variety of collectives sprinkled throughout, including Bob Doster’s Backstreet Studios. The Lindsay Pettus Greenway intersects nature and public art in a surprising setting, while history buffs will not want to miss Andrew Jackson State Park, which tells the story of the President’s boyhood and South Carolina’s storied role in the fight for American independence. Also noteworthy is the Native American Studies Center housed at USC Lancaster with its impressive collection of Catawba Indian pottery.

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Chesterfield County

Downtown Cheraw is a quaint and cozy town for dining, shopping and learning the area’s history, including the life of hometown favorite, Dizzy Gillespie. Nearby Pageland supports a strong antiquing district while two state parks invite visitors to do as much or as little as they like. Cheraw State Park has an 18-hole championship golf course, mountain biking and hiking trails, and fully outfitted cabins and campsites. Nature lovers will enjoy Sand Hills State Forest and the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge. Find all this and more in beautiful Chesterfield County.

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Fairfield County

Home to the South Carolina Railroad Museum, Fairfield County is the gateway to the 283-acre Lake Wateree State Park, which sports 100 paved camping sites, an on-site tackle shop and a mile-long nature trail. Situated on about 2,600 wooded acres, Carolina Adventure World offers the thrills of ATV, UTV and dirt bike riding. Fairfield County also celebrates the quiet charms of small-town living. Don’t miss Laura’s Tea Room in Ridgeway and the longest continuously running clock in the U.S. in Winnsboro, whose settlement dates back to 1777.

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Kershaw County

In the county seat of Camden, a vibrant downtown attracts foodies, antiquers, equine enthusiasts and pickleball players, among others. Nearby, you’ll find charming inns, distilleries, grist mills and historic sites that invite a leisurely stroll. Many varieties of birds make their homes in cypress stands along Lake Wateree, while Goodale State Park offers an excellent opportunity to view native flora and fauna. The Revolutionary War Visitor Center and the Historic Camden campus interpret the origins of the nation.

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Old Town Market in Downtown Rock Hill
11/01

Old Town Market in Downtown Rock Hill

Spend your Saturday morning at Old Town Market in downtown Rock Hill! Browse fresh, locally grown produce, meats, handmade crafts and other goods f…

Old Town Market in Downtown Rock Hill
11/01

Veteran’s Day Parade

Veteran’s Day Parade (November) The Veteran’s Day Parade is held November 11 at 10:30 a.m., with a service held immediately after at the Chesterfie…

Old Town Market in Downtown Rock Hill
11/04

Native Americans in the Armed Forces

NASC GalleriesPresented by Joshua Shumak, member of the South Carolina Humanities Speaker’s Bureau. This lecture is a tribute to Native Am…

The Wall That Heals Lancaster, SC
11/04

The Wall That Heals Lancaster, SC

This November, Lancaster County will have the honor of hosting The Wall That Heals at Springdale Recreation Complex. The exhibit will open to the p…

Revolutionary Correspondence: The Letters, Life, and Legacy of Henry Laurens
11/05

Revolutionary Correspondence: The Letters, Life, and Legacy of Henry Laurens

Discover the life and legacy of Henry Laurens through the letters that helped document a pivotal chapter in American history.Join the South…

Steeplechase Museum Exhibit Opening: Foxhunting in America
11/05

Steeplechase Museum Exhibit Opening: Foxhunting in America

Celebrate a century of Camden’s equestrian heritage at the National Steeplechase Museum!Join the museum for the opening of Foxhunting in…

Blankets & Bands – Raw Deal
11/05

Blankets & Bands – Raw Deal

The Blankets & Bands free concert series returns to Town Green. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and join friends and family for some live musi…

Mountaineer Rumble Trail Race at Kings Mountain State Park
11/06

Mountaineer Rumble Trail Race at Kings Mountain State Park

Take on the trails at Kings Mountain State Park during the Mountaineer Rumble! This challenging trail-running event features 10-mile, 50K, 100K and…

Pig on the Ridge
11/06

Pig on the Ridge

Come hungry to Ridgeway for Pig on the Ridge, one of South Carolina’s favorite barbecue celebrations. The two-day festival br…

The Christmas Market at Cotton Hills Farm
11/07

The Christmas Market at Cotton Hills Farm

Kick off the Christmas season at The Christmas Market at Cotton Hills Farm. Spend the day shopping more than 50 local vendors…

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Goodale State ParkMap Pin
Canoe or kayak on the water trail at Goodale State Park in Camden.

4 Things to Do at Goodale State Park

Goodale State Park in Kershaw County is an easy escape for paddling, hiking, fishing and a little time outdoors. Just a short drive from Downtown Camd…

Chester State ParkMap Pin
a woman walks toward the lake from a camper cabin at Chester State Park in South Carolina

5 Things to Do at Chester State Park

Looking for fun things to do at Chester State Park in South Carolina? From outdoor adventures to family-friendly activities, there are plenty of ways…

couple walking through an alley in Camden

Pull Over: 7 Downtowns in the Olde English District Worth the Detour

Some towns are worth leaving the highway for. Across the Olde English District, Main Streets are lined with local shops, cozy cafés and old buildin…

ScarowindsMap Pin
7 Spooky Season Must-Dos in the Olde English District

7 Spooky Season Must-Dos in the Olde English District

Some fall days are made for pumpkin patches and hayrides. Others come alive after dark. Haunted trails, lantern-lit legends, eerie old buildings and a…

Cotton Hills FarmMap Pin
Cotton Hills Farm

8 Spots to Pick Pumpkins in the Olde English District

Fall looks a little different in the Olde English District. Think pumpkin-filled fields, winding hayrides and family farms where autumn traditions com…

Windy Hill Orchard & Cider MillMap Pin
Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill

Guide to Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill this Fall

Apple cider doughnuts, fresh-picked apples and a glass of cider make Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery a must-stop for fall in York County. From pick-your-o…

family at Andrew Jackson State Park

Lace Up: A Trail Guide to the Olde English District

There’s a particular kind of quiet you find on a Piedmont trail. Sunlight filters through the hardwoods, a creek runs somewhere off to the side, and g…

The Daily Grind Coffee BarMap Pin
The Daily Grind Coffee Bar

Coffee Worth the Stop: Coffee Shops & Cafés in the OED

Some road trips start with a destination. Others start with a really good cup of coffee.

Processed with VSCO with a6 presetMap Pin
Fall for the OED: Your Ultimate Fall Bucket List

Fall for the OED: Your Ultimate Fall Bucket List

There’s something about fall in the Olde English District that just hits different. Maybe it’s the first crisp morning, the hunt for the perfect pumpk…

Tee Off in the Olde English District: The Best Disc Golf Courses in South Carolina

Tee Off in the Olde English District: The Best Disc Golf Courses in South Carolina

This corner of South Carolina has hosted the world’s best disc golfers, the United States Disc Golf Championship and the World Disc Golf Championships…

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From the suburbs of Charlotte, N.C., to tucked-away towns and rural communities, the Olde English District offers just the kind of getaway you need. We offer an array of hotels, bed & breakfasts, cabins, camping and more across our seven counties.

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#OEDtravel

We love to see you enjoying your time in the Olde English District. Share your photos on social media using #oedtravel for a chance to be featured in our gallery.

Best season. No notes. 🍂 

Pumpkin patches, crisp air and every excuse to stay outside a little longer. 

#oedtravel #discoversc #pumpkinszn
Fall just got a first-class upgrade. 🎃🚂

Ride the rails to Greenbriar Pavilion this Saturday for games, face painting and pumpkin decorating. Kids 12 and under can pick a pumpkin and make it their own before hopping back aboard.

Final rides are Oct. 31, so don’t let this one leave the station without you.

🎟️ scrm.org/pumpkin-patch-express

#OEDTravel #DiscoverSC #FairfieldCounty #SouthCarolinaRailroadMuseum #fallintheoed
Some stories are too good to stay in the past. 🎙️

Our brand-new podcast, Olde Stories, New Voices, is officially LIVE!

We’re kicking things off with Episode 1, Eye of the Storm, featuring Molly Fortune, CEO of  @southcarolina250 as we explore the people, places, and pivotal moments that shaped South Carolina’s Revolutionary War backcountry.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

#OEDTravel #DiscoverSC #SC250 #BackcountryRevolutionTrail
Weekends look a little different around here. 🍎 🍂 

#oedtravel #discoversc #windyhillorchard #appleorchard