Woodend Nature Sanctuary

Description | Directions | Photo Gallery | Receptions & Weddings | Shop

Enjoy the serenity of our wildflower meadow, walk our meanderings trails, explore the aquatic life of our pond at our 40-acre nature sanctuary minutes from our nation's capital. No dogs or pets allowed in the Sanctuary. Please leave your pets at home. Trails open dawn to dusk. No admission fee.

8940 Jones Mill Road Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-652-9188

Free Beginner Birds Walks
offered at our Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, MD, will be monthly through February (Dec 12, Jan 9, & Feb 13). Meet in front of our Sanctuary Shop at 8 a.m. Walks last approximately one hour; bring binoculars or use ours. No registration necessary. Weekly walks will resume Saturday, March 6 and continue through June 26..

Photo Gallery (click on first image to open gallery)

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Description

Woodend Sanctuary is one of the few remaining grand old estates in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The 40-acre property dates back to a 1699 colonial land grant. John Russell Pope, architect of the Jefferson Memorial and National Gallery of Art, designed the house in the late 1920's for Captain and Mrs. Chester Wells. With its architecture symmetry and geometric proportions, Woodend Mansion is an admired example of Georgian Revival. The Greek-style portico and entrances illustrate Pope's eclectic approach to the revival of classical forms. Inside, the large Palladian window over the first floor staircase, the French doors to the terrace, and the Georgian moldings enliven the Great Hall.

The Wells Family bequeathed the Woodend Mansion and property to the Audubon Naturalist Society in 1968. The Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Preservation.

Directions

From the Capital Beltway (I-495) exit Connecticut Ave. South (exit 33) toward Chevy Chase. From Connecticut Ave. go left on Manor Road, right on Jones Bridge Road, and left on Jones Mill Road to 8940. View Map Or, get directions with Google Maps

Woodend Sanctuary
8940 Jones Mill Road
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
301-652-9188

By Bicycle: You can reach Woodend on the hiker/biker trail in Rock Creek Stream Valley Park. Woodend adjoins the Park about one half mile north of the bridge across Rock Creek that carries the Capital Crescent Trail.

By Metro Rail and Metro Bus: Please be advised that it may be difficult to reach Woodend using public transportation--check schedules. From the Silver Spring Station or the Bethesda Station, take the J2 or J3 bus along East West highway. From either direction, exit the bus at Meadowbrook Lane. Walk north on the Rock Creek Hiker/Biker trail about one mile to the Woodend nature trail. During rush hour, the J1 bus stops at the intersection of Jones Bridge Road and Brierly Lane. Walk up the hill on Brierly Lane; the entrace to Woodend will be on your right. See http://www.wmata.com for J1, J2, J3 schedule information and a map of the routes.