Hayden's Lane
Darden Country Store: A charming stop for famous country ham, homemade treats, and family fun with seasonal attractions.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Corn maze & fall fun
Hayden's Lane
Best Time
Corn maze & fall fun
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Darden Country Store: A charming stop for famous country ham, homemade treats, and family fun with seasonal attractions.
"Some of the best hams and country food anywhere!!!"
🎯 Pre-order Whole Hams
Must pre-order whole hams 72 hours in advance. Sliced ham is available for immediate purchase.
👨👩👧👦 Family Fall Fun
Enjoy the corn maze, playground, and seasonal decorations – a hit with kids!
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.7 · 248 reviews
Type
Farm
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Award-Winning Country Ham
Darden Country Store
Savor the rich, savory flavor of Darden's renowned country ham, a must-try for any food lover.
Seasonal Corn Maze & Playground
Darden Country Store grounds
Enjoy family fun with a thrilling corn maze, slides, and games, especially popular in the fall.
Homemade Baked Goods & Pimento Cheese
Darden Country Store
Indulge in delightful baked goods, pimento cheese sandwiches, and other country comfort foods.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Pre-Order Your Ham
Family Fun Awaits
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Best Country Ham?
Darden country store in Smithfield, if not Edwards country ham at Kroger, Publix, wegmans
🎯 Pre-order Whole Hams
Must pre-order whole hams 72 hours in advance. Sliced ham is available for immediate purchase.
👨👩👧👦 Family Fall Fun
Enjoy the corn maze, playground, and seasonal decorations – a hit with kids!
🥪 Delicious Sandwiches
Try the pimento cheese or ham sandwiches for a tasty lunch option.
🛍️ Unique Decorations
Find incredibly cheap and unique seasonal decorations for your home.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Pre-order Whole Hams
Must pre-order whole hams 72 hours in advance. Sliced ham is available for immediate purchase.
👨👩👧👦 Family Fall Fun
Enjoy the corn maze, playground, and seasonal decorations – a hit with kids!
🥪 Delicious Sandwiches
Try the pimento cheese or ham sandwiches for a tasty lunch option.
🛍️ Unique Decorations
Find incredibly cheap and unique seasonal decorations for your home.
🧀 Local Delicacies
Explore hoop cheese, country breakfast sausage, and other local country food items.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Darden Country Store's delicious country ham and delightful homemade baked goods. The fall attractions, including a corn maze and playground, make it a beloved annual family destination. While whole hams require advance ordering, the overall experience is highly positive, offering a taste of authentic Southern charm and flavor.
"I love visiting old stores and drove over 30mins out of the way to go purchase a few of their whole hams. Once I arrived, I sadly was informed that you must preorder in advance of about 72hrs. However, I was able to purchase a couple pounds of sliced ham and I will say it was delicious!"
Robert Shephard
"Some of the best hams and country food anywhere!!! Stop by sometime and get a Pimento Cheese or Ham sandwich 🥪, you'll be glad you did! 😍 And while you are waiting for the sandwich, check out all the offerings, like country breakfast sausage and hoop cheese 🧀
Lots of tasty 😋 snacks and desserts, too! 🥧🍪"
Barry Judkins
"Darden's has turned into an annual October visit for my family. The only negative thing I could say involving Darden's is that I should go more than once a year. So much free enjoyment for the kids. Corn maze, slides, toys, and games! They have an amazing selection of decorations for the season's too. All decoration items are insanely cheap for purchase and have been working their way into my Christmas light display. Please go support this place! I know we will continue to every year! This was year 5 for us. My family of 4 the 1st year has turned into a family of 6! I love seeing them grow yearly at Darden's!"
Nathan S
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Darden Country Store is located in Smithfield, Virginia. While specific directions depend on your starting point, it's often described as a drive out of town, suggesting it's best accessed by car. Consider using GPS for the most direct route.
Information regarding public transport accessibility is limited. Given its location, it's likely best reached by private vehicle.
Using a GPS or mapping app on your smartphone is recommended for navigating to Darden Country Store.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the store itself is generally free. However, specific activities like the corn maze or playground might have associated costs, especially during peak seasons like October.
Opening hours can vary, especially seasonally. It's advisable to check their official channels or call ahead, particularly if planning a visit for specific attractions like the corn maze.
No, whole hams require pre-ordering at least 72 hours in advance. Sliced ham is available for purchase on-site.
While the store offers free browsing, the corn maze, slides, and games typically have associated costs, especially during the popular October season.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Darden's offers a variety of activities, including a corn maze, slides, games for kids, and a wide selection of seasonal decorations. They also have a playground.
Absolutely! Kids love the corn maze, playground, and games. It's a popular annual family destination.
You can find a great selection of seasonal decorations, often described as 'insanely cheap' and unique, perfect for holidays.
Hoop cheese is a traditional type of cheese, often sold in a distinctive hoop shape, and is a popular item at country stores like Darden's.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Darden's is famous for its delicious country ham, pimento cheese, and homemade baked goods. They also offer country breakfast sausage.
Yes, you can get tasty sandwiches, including pimento cheese and ham sandwiches, which are highly recommended.
Visitors often rave about the variety of tasty snacks and desserts available, including various baked goods.
Yes, they sell whole hams, but these must be pre-ordered at least 72 hours in advance.
One reviewer mentioned trying the chicken pot pie for dinner, indicating it's a home-cooked item available for purchase.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, the charming country store atmosphere, seasonal decorations, and the corn maze offer many picturesque moments for photos.
Early mornings or late afternoons can offer softer lighting, especially during the fall season when the decorations are up.
Certainly! The beautifully displayed baked goods and sandwiches make for appealing food photography.
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