Hidden Gems of South Carolina

South Carolina is made for spending time on the beach, teeing off on a golf course, fresh water and salt water fishing, enjoying the great outdoors at a South Carolina State Park, dining at award-winning restaurants and shopping at galleries, boutiques and outlet malls. Simply put, South Carolina is a perfect holiday destination.

1. Congaree National Park - Columbia

It might seem unlikely that a national park could be undiscovered in any way, and yet Congaree National Park just outside of Columbia is certainly a hidden gem. It's one of the least visited national parks in the country, yet for the adventurous souls who make the short trip out to Hopkins to visit, it is full of amazing discoveries. Turtles as big as a coffee table. Spiders the size of your hand. Trees that are, literally, the biggest of their kind in the world. That's right - Congaree National Park has "champion trees" hiding in its blackwater swamp- trees that are the biggest of their species ever found. And it doesn't have one or two. It has more than a dozen, standing tall in the silent shimmering blackwater. It's an astonishing place.

2. Campbell’s Covered Bridge – Greenville

Built in 1909, is the only remaining covered bridge in South Carolina. At 38 feet long and 12 feet wide, the pine structure spans Beaverdam Creek and was built by Charles Irwin Willis. It's now a spot for picnics, wading in the creek and hiking. Find it at 171 Campbell's Covered Bridge Road in Landrum.

3. Bluffton Oyster Company – Bluffton

Just off the island is the Bluffton Oyster Company, the last hand shucking house in the state. The oyster house actually sits on reclaimed land, built up by more than a hundred years of discarded shells from former shucking operations. During the oyster season, you can watch the day's catch being unloaded from boats at the dock and women shucking oysters inside the factory. Along with the delicious molluscs, the company also sells fresh from the trawler shrimp, mussels, clams, scallops, fish and those prized soft shell crabs; a delicious way to end any adventure.

4. Chattooga Belle Farm – Long Creek

Located in the far northwest corner of the state, is one of the prettiest spots in all of the Carolina foothills. Here you will find rolling hills, vineyards, orchards and berry patches. Pick apples, pears, figs, muscadines and more among a stunning backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Educational farm tours, a lunch bistro and a disc golf course are also on-site.

5. Midnight Rooster – Hartsville

The kitchen at Midnight Rooster might be small, but it churns out some of the freshest, tastiest eats in the Pee Dee. Head there prior to taking in an afternoon exhibit at Black Creek Arts Center or before soaking up the beauty of nearby Kalmia Gardens.

Think warm and buttery Belgian waffles with espresso syrup for drizzling, sharing the table with savoury bowls of Blizzard Branch stone-ground grits topped with avocado, pico de gallo and house-made pimento cheese. There are eggs served Benedict-style and Carolina Heritage sausage, too. Tasty sandwiches and wraps aplenty with standouts such as the Hot Mama (roast beef, cheddar, pepperoncini tapenade and sun dried tomato mayo on freshly baked focaccia) and the Valley Girl (herb-roasted turkey, avocado, lettuce and sprouts, again, with that tangy sun dried tomato-spiked mayo).

For more information on our holidays to South Carolina click hereor call us on 020 8742 8299