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VACATION RENTALS • VENUES
Many of Rappahannock County’s growing number of vacation rentals and cabins can be found by searching airbnb.com or the Vacation Rentals by Owner website at vrbo.com
Caledonia Farm Guesthouse
The historic summer kitchen guesthouse is part of the Caledonia Farm 1812 estate in Flint Hill, outside Little Washington, near the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. The farm is on the National Register and its 115 acres of pastures are permanently protected by conservation easements. Minimum booking of two nights is required. The cottage has one bedroom, one bath. Two-guests maximum. At 47
Dearing Road, Flint Hill. For information, call 540-675-3693 or visit bnb1812.com.
Cardinal Springs Farm
Completely renovated 1860s farmhouse with an upscale Barn Loft on a secluded 130-acre farm a few miles from the village of Sperryville. Swim, fish and canoe in the ponds, or hike the lush gardens and mountain trails. Child and pet friendly. Farmhouse sleeps up to seven, and Barn Loft sleeps four. At 150 Poor Town Road, Sperryville. Call 540-987-8477 or 703-593-
6201 or visit vrbo.com/457779 and vrbo.com/141702
Chancellors Rock Farm
Chancellors Rock Farm is a remarkable and unique setting for small corporate retreats and luxurious private events on 700 acres in Flint Hill, just 75 miles from Washington, D.C. It’s a place where small groups of people can come to stay, learn about regenerative farming practices, enjoy farm to table dinners featuring the products from the farm, and engage in the many recreational activities. With a separate pool house for meetings, meals, and recreation, along with four fully furnished and equipped houses, the farm can accommodate 10 – 20 overnight guests. Visit chancellorsrock.com.
LeFay Cottage at Little Washington
Experience charming LeFay Cottage at Little Washington, nestled on a five-acre property with well-appointed rooms and Blue Ridge views. Inside the three-bedroom, two-bath cottage, French and English antiques and ornate chandeliers adorn each room. Child friendly. Pets can be boarded next door and are allowed on the grounds; horses may be boarded at the stable across the field. At 41 Christmas Tree Lane, Washington. Call 703 980-1478 or visit lefaycottageatlittlewashington. com.
Loft at Little Washington
Enjoy a restful stay in the pleasant Loft located within walking distance of the famous restaurant, The Inn at Little Washington. Loft guests enjoy a two-room suite equipped for comfort with a private bedroom and spacious living room — with a sleeper sofa. At 261 Main St., Washington. Click airbnb. com/washington-va/stays
Meadows at Castleton
The Meadows at Castleton is a one-of-a-kind Virginia wedding and event venue, nestled among the rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley. Available for business retreats, weddings and vacation rentals. 671 Castleton View Road, Castleton. Call 540-937-3454.
Mint Cottage at Little Washington
The Mint Cottage is a newly renovated 1400-square foot spacious one-bedroom house with luxurious appointments, stylish amenities and breathtaking views. Four guests maximum. It is a short walk to The Inn at Little Washington. 742 Main St., Washington. Email: info@mintcottageva. com; Reserve: airbnb.com/h/ mintcottagelittlewashington
Miss Kitty’s Place
Visiting Miss Kitty's is like going to Grandma's house. The three-bedroom, three-bath house accommodates up to 10 (with handicapped-accessible bath) and has views of the Rappahannock River, with swimming, rowing and fishing. Mom and Dad can spend a day touring all the many wineries in the area. Near Amissville. Call 540-937-5422 or email kittygpoe@aol.com.
Mountain Garden Cottage
A cozy, pet-friendly, fourbedroom house nestled between the Thornton and Piney rivers, only a five-minute walk from the Shenandoah National Park trailhead. Call 540-987-3306.
Serendipity Guest House
Luxurious suite in our Victorian home located next to The Inn at Little Washington. You can walk to shops, art galleries, and restaurants. The suite has a private entrance, screenedin porch, private bath with shower, pillow-top mattress, and fireplace. (Light breakfast can be requested on weekends.) Email: onaveranda@comcast. net or visit: airbnb.com/h/ serendipityguesthouse
Schoolhouse at Meadow Grove Farm
The charming two-bedroom Schoolhouse at Meadow Grove Farm, circa 1881, is on an historic farm in Amissville. The schoolhouse, main house and other outbuildings are on the National Historic Register and the Virginia Landmark Register. The schoolhouse is situated on a knoll overlooking a pond, the farm and Big Battle Mountain. Call 540-937-5351 or email dmassieadk@gmail.com.
Sharp Rock Vineyards
On its 23 acres in a valley at the foot of Old Rag Mountain and Shenandoah National Park, Sharp Rock Vineyards is an awardwinning winery and working vineyard. It offers a two-bedroom cottage and a one-bedroom carriage house. Buildings on the farm date from 1792 to 1864. At 5 Sharp Rock Road, Sperryville. Contact Jim and Kathy East at 540-987-8020 or jeast@ sharprockvineyards.com, or visit sharprockvineyards.com.
The Barn at Newby’s Crossroads
Nestled near the heart of Rappahannock County, The Barn At Newby's Crossroads is one of the county's newest destinations for a country wedding of your dreams. Able to host up to 150 people, The Barn is also ideal for other celebratory events that require a bucolic country setting. It is located at 698 Laurel Mills Road in Castleton. Email thebarnatnewby@gmail.com to set up a property viewing appointment or to request a full color brochure. Follow us on Facebook - The Barn At Newby’s Crossroads.
Parks and nature
Rappahannock County Park , 7 Park Lane across from Little Washington, an International Dark Sky designated park, offers tennis, frisbee golf, shuffleboard, cornhole, skateboarding, nature trails, fishing, basketball, children’s playground, and covered pavilion (free sports equipment can be checked out at Visitor’s Center/County Administrator’s office at 3 Library Road, Washington). Call 540-675-5330 or visit rappahannockcountypark. weebly.com for pavilion and Dark Sky reservations.
Shenandoah National Park, which borders Rappahannock County, offers a wealth of seasonal activities spring through fall at its resorts, campgrounds and visitor centers — and is open year-round (except for occasional winterweather closings) for hiking, birding, nature photography and sightseeing along Skyline Drive. Many trails, including the main route to Old Rag Mountain, start in Rappahannock — and, unlike those same trails accessed via Skyline Drive, the hike back is generally downhill. Call 540999-3500 or visit nps.org/shen or goshenandoah.com for more information.
Art and nature
If combining art and nature appeals, consider outdoor painting lessons in the Rappahannock countryside with Washington plein air painter Nora Harrington, who supplies everything you’ll need to create an oil painting on-site, including a French field easel, oil paints and a 12-by-16- inch canvas. Lessons ($160) are taught in three-hour sessions and are timed to start near sunrise or end near sunset. More at noraharrington.com.
Horseback riding
Within hiking distance of Thornton Hill Hounds and a dozen great trails into and around Shenandoah National Park, Turkey Hill Stables offers private rides, lessons, full board and field board; indoor and outdoor arenas, horse training and local events. At 268 Fletchers Mill Road in Woodville, contact Turkey Hill at 540-987-9778.
At Halfway Farm Summer Riding Camp and start and (especially) end at the adjacent The Black Twig (see Places to Eat). Weekday play is $15, weekends $25 (ages 16 and younger are $8 anytime); Monthly Unlimited Golf Membership is $49. Call 540-987-5008 or visit schoolhousenine.com.
Civil War history
While there were no large-scale military actions in Rappahannock, several dozen skirmishes and many troop movements occurred here, a major thoroughfare and gateway to the Shenandoah Valley for both Union and Confederate forces. The late John Tole of the Rappahannock Historical Society, who produced most of the county’s 30-plus Virginia Civil War Trails markers, also produced a map and guide to those markers, and those troop movements and skirmishes, which is available at the Visitors Center (7 Library Road., Washington; 540-6753153 Friday-Sunday, 540675-5330) and through the Rappahannock Historical Society (328 Gay St., Washington; 540-675-1163) or rappahannockhistsoc.org
Fox hunts
Lessons, Sherry HammillHuff, a European trained racer, provides riding camps, lessons, full and field horse boarding at her 12-stall facility at 390 Fodderstack Road, Flint Hill. Call 540-675-3848 for more information.
Golf
Schoolhouse Nine, the county’s first and only golf course, opened in the summer of 2015 next to the Sperryville Schoolhouse complex, where U.S. routes 211 and 522 meet. The gently rolling ninehole course is deceptively challenging and, especially in wildflower season, quite beautiful. The course is open 8 a.m. till dark daily; rounds
Old Dominion Hounds: Activities year-round, hunt season runs September through March on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Contact master Debbie Welch 540-631-8607 or visit theolddominionhounds.com for more information, dates, times, meets and special events.
Rappahannock Hunt:
Established in 1926, the hunt offers activities that are open to members and non-members. Events cover everything from trail riding to naming new puppies to dinners, dancing and chili cook-offs. Call 540-987-8957 or visit rappahannockhunt.com.
