About West Point & King William County
King William County is located in east-central Virginia on the Middle Peninsula, one of three peninsulas on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The county is bounded by the Mattaponi River to the north and the Pamunkey River to the south which combine to form the York River at West Point, the county’s largest town.
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King William is rich in history, tradition, peaceful landscapes, and southern charm. The county's history dates back to the earliest days of the English settlement of the New World. Prior to the colonial period, present-day King William County and the surrounding regions were part of the Powhatan Confederacy, which encompassed much of eastern Virginia and included about 30 Algonquian tribes. At the time of the English arrival, the Confederacy was led by Wahunsonacock, also known as “Powhatan.” Powhatan is known best for his daughter, Pocahontas, who in 1614, married Englishman John Rolfe. Their marriage helped to secure peace between the Powhatan Confederacy and the English colonists.
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King William offers unique opportunities for relaxation, cultural experiences, water recreation, adventure, and more. From charming country roads that lead to the doorsteps of some of the oldest churches in Virginia to launch sites for power boats, kayaks, and canoes, from delicious local seafood to antiquing and boutique shopping, and from stately plantation homes that allow guests to take a step back in time to artisan farms, there's something for everyone in King William County.
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The Town of West Point is situated at the confluence of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers and offers spectacular river views and a superior quality of life, including a top-ranking public school system and one of the safest towns in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
West Point is proud of its rich history as a bustling port and resort town, and celebrates its important beginning as Native American village Cinquoteck, which resulted in the establishment of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Reservations. West Point continues to boast an abundance of natural resources that offer its residents and visitors year-round activities including both fresh and saltwater fishing, swimming, boating, crabbing, kayaking, canoeing, bike riding, and sight-seeing. In addition, West Point has a beautiful, historic downtown area with shops, restaurants, amazing architecture from the 1800s and early 1900s, as well as a play park for children, Beach Park on the York River, multiple kayak launch sites, a Riverwalk, and much more. West Point is known for its popular and long-running Crab Carnival, held on the first weekend of October each year, as well as its many parades, festivals, summer concert series, and more.
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West Point and King William provide a peaceful destination for tourists looking for an escape from the hustle of their daily routine.
We invite you to #visitwestpointkingwilliam and stay awhile...for a different point of view.