The Revolution Comes to Virginia: The Battle of Great Bridge

Cost: $20.00 per person

Step onto the ground where one of the first decisive Patriot victories of the American Revolution took place. This walking tour explores the site of the Battle of Great Bridge, fought on December 9, 1775, when Virginia Patriots clashed with British regulars and Loyalist forces in a short but dramatic engagement that helped secure control of Virginia for the revolutionary cause.

Walking the ground, guides Mark Maloy and Rob Orrison will trace the positions of both armies and discuss the tense standoff that developed as British and Loyalist troops prepared to attack the American defenses. The story builds to the morning of December 9, when British regulars launched a bold but costly advance across the narrow causeway toward the Patriot lines.

The victory at Great Bridge forced the royal governor, Lord Dunmore, and his forces to abandon the interior of Virginia and retreat toward the coast, marking a turning point in the struggle for control of the colony. Often called the “Bunker Hill of the South,” the Battle of Great Bridge demonstrated that Patriot forces could successfully stand up to British regulars.

Exertion: Please expect an EASY walk of roughly one mile along pathways and trails.

Please Note

• This hiking tour has a registration fee. These fees support the American Battlefield Trust's education efforts and cover the permits required for the tours. They also help us offer members more quality programming worldwide.
• Full refund if canceled on or before September 12, 2026.
• Hiking tours are not for the faint of heart. Please read the description closely before choosing to join us.
• Lunch and buses will not be provided on this tours. Participants are expected to bring their own water, food, and supplies.

We look forward to seeing you in the field!