Private Beach! Cottage on the High Banks of the James River
- Minimum stay:1 night
- Internet:No
- Pets allowed:Yes
- Wheel chair accessible:No
After a fun drive down a curvy forest flanked road, you emerge into the sunlight with expansive fields on either side of you. You turn left down a dirt path that takes you by an old farmhouse. You dogleg around another field and enter the woods on a gravel road. When you get to the gate you step out. Through the trees, you can vaguely see the vastness of the James River and you hear the sound of a light breeze as it tumbles amid the leaves. Back in your vehicle you steer right, around the driveway loop and notice that you are at the peak of a hill that drops deeply into a great wooded ravine on either side.
Straight in front of you is the cottage which sits at the tip of the peninsula surrounded by views of the River. You shut off the vehicle and step outside. There is not another home or person in sight. NOW....You are officially on vacation. You stroll down the brown pebble path and past the shed that was built by boy scouts in the early 1900's. The breeze from the river feels stronger now and you can see the detail of the water and the white sandy beach below.
Just as you step onto the entry deck you notice two adult bald eagles soaring above the beach looking for prey. You didn't have to look up to see them they were at eye level with you. You are 70' above the river and the surrounding forest floor. The experience is like being in a treehouse; Albeit, a treehouse with a 4 acre yard, and parking for 20. The breeze is loud in the trees now and gives you the feeling of being blanketed by nature.
You jiggle the knob and are inside. Looking around there's nothing fancy, yet everything is special and somehow comforting. Hand made arts and crafts, Americana, books and furnishings you could only find in an “authentic” cottage. You want to settle in but looking out the window you see an inviting path that winds down the hill and dissipates into the woods. You think, “I bet that leads to the river” and with that you are out the door on your first of many adventures.
Keywords: Cottage
Property Type
- Cottage
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Onsite Services
- Housekeeper Optional
Suitability
- Non Smoking Only
Bedrooms
- 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6, Beds for 4-6
- Bedroom 1
- Bedroom 2
- Convertible bed(s)
Bathrooms
- 1.0 Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
Kitchen & Dining
- Cooking Utensils
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Stove
- Toaster
Amenities
- Parking Off Street
- Parking For RV/Boat/Trailer
- Washing Machine
- Clothes Dryer
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Heating
- Towels Provided
- Living Room seats 7
- Hair Dryer
- Iron & Board
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- Stereo
- CD Player
- Games
- Books
- Toys
Communications
- Telephone
Outdoor Features
- Balcony
- Deck / Patio
- Outdoor Grill
Theme
- Romantic
- Family
- Away From It All
- Historic
- Tourist Attractions
- Adventure
Location & View
Activities
- Restaurants
- Water Skiing
- Tennis
- Cycling
- Golf
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Wind-Surfing
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Horseshoes
- Shelling
- Antiquing
- Sight Seeing
- Boating
- Shopping
- Wildlife Viewing
- Cinemas
- Theme Parks
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Museums
- Live Theater
- Sailing
- Jet Skiing
Other Activities
Reviews
Write a review-
So Relaxing!
So Relaxing!
- Guest Beth
- Date of stay 04/08/13
- Review Submitted 04/12/13
The River Cottage was absolutely amazing. A private, secluded beach front, a fun fire pit, a cozy home...all perfect for a relaxing getaway! Plus, only 10 mins from the Scotland-Williamsburg ferry!Recommended for: Girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.
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perfect
perfect
- Guest Mitchell S.
- Date of stay 04/01/13
- Review Submitted 04/12/13
We stayed for a week. It was exactly what we expected. It was hard to fit in everything we wanted to do, even in a week's time. We didn't even have much time to spend at the house itself, other than to sleep. But I think we could have made a day of just staying at the house for an entire week! It was beautiful! I highly recommend this destination/location for anyone that wants to see the Williamsburg area. There seems to be a lot of history in this area, my wife enlightened me on the "Pocohontas" history in the area after reading up on it, history that I didn't even know existed in this area before we vacationed there... We hope to back within the next few years if this property is still out there to be rented!Recommended for: Tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
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Family vacation on James River
Family vacation on James River
- Guest Penny B.
- Date of stay 03/28/13
- Review Submitted 04/04/13
We had a wonderful time on our vacation on the banks of the James River! The cabin was private and quaint and cozy! The kids really enjoyed the beach front and we enjoyed the relaxing walks down the lane and sitting on the deck and next to the fire pit. Cabin is well furnished and we really appreciate all the detailed information. Thanks again for sharing your cabin!Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, adventure seekers.
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Perfect Getaway!!
Perfect Getaway!!
- Guest Kristi
- Date of stay 03/07/13
- Review Submitted 03/12/13
Our visit to this cottage on the river was so wonderful! The cottage is lovely and full of every convenience, and stocked full of interesting books! The views from inside and outside of the river are awesome and breathtaking. The private beach is amazing, we found tons of beautiful shells. Our whole stay was perfect and we couldn't stop smiling!! :) We are already planning our next visit!Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.
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Perfect
Perfect
- Guest scm04
- Date of stay 11/17/12
- Review Submitted 11/30/12
The James River house is just as advertised- and that's just what we needed. We were worried about no internet and no tv with a three year old. We never even thought about those things while we were there. Even though the weather was a bit cold, the environment there is just perfect. You feel as if you're in a protected environment and separate from the world at the same time. We can't wait to go back!Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.
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Peace and Quiet!
Peace and Quiet!
- Guest Lawrence S.
- Date of stay 11/08/12
- Review Submitted 11/20/12
The James River House was one of our favorite vacations. It's so quiet and private, surrounded by nature's beauty! The house is so cute and cozy! We loved walking on the private beach at sunset and sitting around the fire with an amazing view of the river. I have recommended it to all of our friends and family! And we hope we can come back to visit soon!Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.
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Perfect Ending
Perfect Ending
- Guest Candice
- Date of stay 10/24/12
- Review Submitted 10/30/12
Our stay at the riverhouse, was absolutely perfect. The house is situated perfectly to walk out on the porch and see a beautiful view of the James River. The beach is beautiful, especially to this north Texas girl who doesn't get to many beaches. We sadly did not find any shark teeth, but we did come home with some great shells that are now proudly displayed in our living room. The house has all sorts of books and games that we used as our entertainment, since there is no TV, and that was a wonderful bonus! No tv allowed us to totally disconnect from the outside world and enjoy our time together. We are already planning a trip to go back and we will be sure to stay at the river house again! Thank you Jeff for your wonderful hospitality!Recommended for: Families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.
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Great Family Fun!
Great Family Fun!
- Guest HS Fam
- Date of stay 09/15/12
- Review Submitted 10/03/12
We loved our stay at the James River House! Though it sleeps 6, my family of 8 managed to be quite comfortable here for the week. The kids fished, kayaked, and played on the beach every morning as well as most evenings and we went into Williamsburg or Jamestown during the days. We saw eagles, deer, a turtle, and (we think) 3 small stingrays! When people said there was everything you need already here, I was skeptical, but they were right - there was even a large crockpot! Bring your own paper products and maybe a few extra food storage containers if you plan to cook and that's really all you will need. One day we decided not to cross the river and ventured into Smithfield. We had a delightful time talking to the man at the old courthouse, walking around town looking at all the restored older homes, and searching for the 8 ridiculously decorated pig statues throughout the town. Oh, and we had delicious ice cream in a quaint shop. There is just so much to do around this area, especially if you enjoy history, and we didn't even begin to do it all in a week's time. But some of our best memories were formed right at the James River House - especially while down on the beach. Oh, btw, the trek back up to the house from the beach is not for the faint of heart. I'm a casual runner and still got a bit winded each time I came back up. It certainly isn't difficult - just steep - so may be too much for Grandma and Grandpa or someone who isn't used to any form of exercise :0) Everyone wants to come back again. I hope we are able to!Recommended for: Families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.
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Perfect!
Perfect!
- Guest Dave
- Date of stay 09/02/12
- Review Submitted 09/10/12
My wife and I and our two dogs spent a week at the river house. I can sum it up in 3 words won-der-ful!! It was the most relaxing vacation I have had in 15 years. The property is very sucluded and if we had not gone to Surry to pick up some things we would have not seen another human for the entire trip. Which is what I was looking for. We would take our dogs for a walk in the mornings and we see deer and wild turkey every morning. The beach was very nice and our dogs loved it, plenty of shells and sharks teeth to be found. The fishing was good from the beach and there are lots of bald eagles and osprey to watch. The house was decorated very tastefully and very warm and inviting. The house was very clean and set up nicely for us when we got there plenty of towels and washcloths. The kitchen area had plenty of pots and pans to cook with and the grill is a quality grill and was easy to use. I do alot of cooking. If you are looking for a place to get away from it all this is the place. But it is still close enough to alot of other tourist attractions if you are looking for that. We will be back!Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.
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Totally Relaxed!
Totally Relaxed!
- Guest frauline_annie
- Date of stay 08/26/12
- Review Submitted 09/07/12
I booked online and had no idea what to expect and we were driving in the middle of nowhere wondering what we were getting into. Then we pulled into the driveway and wow was it worth it! The cabin is fully equiped and decorated so quaintly. We were totally comfortable. Being outside on the riverbank during the day and around the fire at night was just the relaxation I needed. We found plenty to do during the day. We particularly loved using the ferry to go to Williamsburg and Jamestown. If you have your bikes with you do Williamsburg by bike it was fantastic. We went to Smithfield home of the oldest and largest ham, to the Chippokes (?) Plantation, several Civil War desitnations, Bacon Mansion, and then over to Hampton for a Bay cruise. We ate at the Mexican Restaurant in Surry twice because it was so good. Advice though - take your own food with you when you go or for sure keep your eye out for grocery stores whenever you see them. There isn't much close to the house. But it's lovely that way. Verizon reception is GREAT. No TV and Internet at first was a shock to the connected system but by the end was quite the relaxing blessing. Enjoy!Recommended for: Families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, adventure seekers.
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Rates
| Dates | Nightly | Wknd Night | Weekend | Weekly | Monthly * | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Rate 1 night min stay |
$269 | $1350 | ||||
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Discounts: 6 nights or more $225 nightly |
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| Fall Special Sep 3 - Dec 30 1 night min stay |
$215 | $1160 | ||||
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Discounts: 6 nights or more $193 nightly |
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| Winter Special Jan 1 - Mar 30 1 night min stay |
$185 | $925 | ||||
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Discounts: 6 nights or more $154 nightly |
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Fees:
- Pet Fee: $0
- Refundable Damage Deposit: $200
- Cleaning: $100
- Taxes Included
Cancellation policy:
To confirm your reservation at The James River House please complete and return the last two pages of the rental agreement.
If you have any questions please contact the owner.
This owner accepts HomeAway's most secure form of payment.
HomeAway PaymentsSM is the most secure way to pay and automatically protects your payment up to $10,000 (learn more). Call the owner directly to confirm payment details.
Location
Owner info
Year Purchased: 1905
About the owner: The Riverhouse is just 10 minutes from the ferry. The ferry is free and you simply drive aboard. The ferries run continuously, with one every 20 minutes or so. The ferry ride is is a pleasant 15 minute site-see on the James River. There is an observation deck for looking at Historic Jamestown. Merchants Square and Busch Gardens/Water Country is only 10 minutes from there.
Why the Owner Chose Williamsburg:
This property has been in the family since the early 1900's. The area's rich history and the tranquility and privacy of this property make it a family heirloom.
The Unique Benefits at this Cottage:
The connection to America's historic native americans, colonists and explorers is profound. Proof of this area's active past is evident in the fossils and other historic items that over the years have been found along the beachfront. A robust kayak paddle up or down the river provides views of several historic waterfront plantation homes. I enjoy putting myself in the shoes of an early american as I navigate the property. This helps me to appreciate the preservation of this area and it offers me a different perspective when viewing the modern world. A walk on the beach and the challenge of finding the smallest and largest of shark teeth is very therapeutic and is a must do on every visit. The 'missing' electronic devices like TV and internet provide us with the 'missing' time we never seem to have.
Contact us
- Primary: (757) 287-5175 (Virginia, USA)
- Secondary: (757) 287-5175 (Virginia, USA)
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
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Your adventure begins!
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Sun, Sand & Great Swimming.
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Gather around the fire pit and let the aromas and the view inspire conversation.
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Walking paths, loads of parking, and acres of total privacy.
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Americana, books, fossils and history add to the experience.
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Cozy Twin Bedroom
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Bathroom sink
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Riverside
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Dining
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Daybed with a great view of the river.
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An all seasons destination.
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Bring a warm cup of coffee for an early morning treat.
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The IMAX seat to a wonderful view
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The Welcome is authentic.
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The quintessential vacation image!
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Sand, Shells and Sharks Teeth
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Landside
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Queen Bedroom
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Grab a book and sink in.
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Sleeper Sofa
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This listing was first published here in 2008.
Date last modified - Thursday, May 23, 2013
