Location: Williamsburg, Hampton Roads, Virginia, USA (Williamsburg Area, Surry, Virginia) View Map
Accommodations: Estate, 5 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2 Baths (Sleeps 10)
Keywords: House/Estate
Lightwood is an elegant eighteenth-century plantation house nestled in an ancient beech forest in rural Surry County, Virginia. The estate comprises seventy acres of woods, fields, and streams, and is part of the land given by Chief Powhatan to Pocahontas and John Rolfe as a wedding gift. Built in four different periods circa 1760 to 1795, Lightwood House is completely restored and features exceptional, detailed woodwork, and also offers all modern conveniences.
While the surroundings are completely rural and secluded, the house is only one-and-a-half miles from the town of Surry, where basic essentials are available, and three-and-a-half miles to the 24-hour, 20-minute, free car ferry ride to Jamestown and Williamsburg. From the ferry dock on the other side of the James River, Jamestown is one-half mile, and Colonial Williamsburg six miles away.
The house has five bedrooms, two large bathrooms, (one of which features a marble walk-in shower and six-foot whirlpool bathtub), a living room, dining room that seats up to 10 comfortably), large classical entrance hall, fully equipped kitchen, laundry room, four fireplaces (three with gas logs or stoves), and back porch, for a total of 2400 square feet. Upstairs there are two larger bedrooms, each with a queen-sized canopy bed, one double bed in a smaller room, and two twin beds in an attic room adjoining one of the queen bedrooms. Downstairs there is a small bedroom with a double bed.
The house is furnished with antiques from the seventeenth, eighteenth, and early-nineteenth centuries. A picket-fenced back yard with period outbuildings, including a smokehouse used to smoke the hams for the coronation feast of King Edward VII, completes the scene. Two miles of walking trails meander through the woods and fields and offer a close look at local wildlife, which includes deer, turkeys, foxes, turtles, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, and bald eagles. Lightwood offers a private setting and a truly unique and exciting opportunity to step back into another time, all the while enjoying the comforts of the twenty-first century.
AREA ATTRACTIONS:
The historic museums of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown are only a short drive and free, 24-hour, 20-minute car ferry ride away. All three attractions are connected by the beautiful Colonial Parkway, which begins at Jamestown where the ferry docks, follows the banks of the James and York Rivers, passes through Williamsburg and ends at Yorktown and the Chesapeake Bay.
River-front beaches can be found in Surry at Chippokes Plantation State Park, at Jamestown on the James River, and at Yorktown on the York River leading to the Chesapeake Bay. Virginia Beach itself is only a little over an hour's drive away. Williamsburg is also the home of Busch Gardens and Water Country USA theme parks. Surry County attractions include Bacon's Castle--America's finest seventeenth-century manor house; Smith's Fort Plantation, the site of Captain John Smith's fort of 1609 as well as a lovely 1760s brick house; and Chippokes Plantation State Park, with historic buildings, Olympic-sized pool, and riverfront beach. Boat rentals are available at the Chickahominy River State Park in Williamsburg/James City County.
The historic waterfront town of Smithfield, and seventeenth-century Saint Luke's Church, is a 20-minute drive away. Well-known James River plantations, open to the public, are an easy 45-minute drive and can be found along Route #5, which winds through Charles City County. Richmond is over an hour's drive, and Washington D.C., can be reached in around 3 hours (depending on NOVA/I-95 traffic conditions.)
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning : Central Air
- Linens Provided
- Washer
- Dryer
- Gas Fireplace (3)
- Beds
- Queen Bed (2)
- Double Bed (2)
- Twin/Single Bed (2)
- Entertainment
- Jetted Tub in Bath
- Cable/Satellite TV (3)
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library : Excellent selection.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library : Good selection of music.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance
- Other Amenities
- Fireplaces, Free U.S. Long Distance Phone Calls, Central Air and Heat, VCR and videotapes (good children's selection), CD Player and CDs, DVD Player and DVDs, Coffee Maker, Large Crockpot, Down Comforters, Harpsichord/Spinet, Two Canopy Beds (Queen Sized), Two Double Beds, and Two Twin Beds, Walking Trails, Booster Seat, High Chair, Children's Playground (Outside Toys, Swings, Slide, and Play Tower), Children's Indoor Toy Closet, Children's Books.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : Maximum of 2 dogs.
- Kid Friendly : Children's toys, puzzles, games, videos, and books. Outdoor playground with swings, slide, play tower, rocking horse, and sand box.
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters : 25+
- Smoking Not Allowed : No candles in house.
- Activities
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Shopping
- Swimming
- Biking
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Miniature golf
- Hiking
- Restaurants
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Nov. 2011-Dec.2011... $395/night (3-night minimum)... $2625.00/week
Jan. 2012-March 2012...$295/night (3-night minimum)... $1750.00/week
April 2012-Dec. 2012...395/night (3-night minimum) ...$2625.00/week
A $500.00 fee is added to reservations which include Thanksgiving or Christmas Day
Prices includes all taxes and any other fees.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Map & Owner's Profile
Eighteenth-Century Plantation House on 70 Beautiful Acres
Year Purchased: 1978
Why the Owner Chose Williamsburg
Since the age of ten, I had always wanted to restore an historic house. Several years after moving to Williamsburg to work for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, I discovered Lightwood House, abandoned and forlorn in rural, unspoiled Surry County, on the south side of the James River. The house was in an advanced state of deterioration but still had great possibilities. I began the work in 1978 and after 10 years had made considerable progress. However, it was not until after I married Joy that her influence truly civilized the old place and made it what it is today. Having worked for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for many years, I was familiar with the love that visitors to the area have for colonial history. With Williamsburg nearby, it seemed likely that an eighteenth-century plantation house could be used by guests as a home base from which to discover Virginia's history. If you read our guests' comments on this site, I think you will see what I mean.
The Unique Benefits at this Estate
Staying at Lightwood is truly a unique and extraordinary experience, and visiting the property can be a vacation in itself. There are few places in the United States where it is possible to be so immersed at once in both colonial history and nature. Guests enter a different world after passing through the gates leading to Lightwood, and stepping into the entrance hall is like traveling back in time to the early days of our nation. And although the feel of history is everywhere at Lightwood, all modern conveniences expected in the twenty-first century are provided. The extensive grounds and walking trails at Lightwood are a nature lover's (and a dog's) paradise, and many other historic and scenic sites and attractions are close by. Guests can visit Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown from the comfort and luxury of their own eighteenth-century plantation. Also, with our many contacts in the Williamsburg area, we can arrange first- class period entertainment at Lightwood including: concerts, magicians, historical characters, lectures, and demonstrations, subject to availability, of course. If interested, just ask to see what might be available.
Owner's Map of Williamsburg
Lightwood is owned by Joy Weatherley Williams and Cliff Williams. Joy is from County Durham in north-east England, spent part of her childhood in Zambia, and came to Virginia in 1982 to attend Saint Margaret's School in Tappahannock. She attended the University of Richmond, graduating in 1987, and then the College of William and Mary where she received her Master's degree in Early American history. Cliff, with old Virginia family roots, spent part of his childhood in Hawaii, attended Indiana University School of Music, and came to work for Colonial Williamsburg as a musician in 1974. He bought Lightwood in 1978 and, during the time spent restoring it, also worked as an operatic baritone, singing major roles at such places as the Santa Fe Opera, Barcelona's Teatro Gran Liceo, and the Vienna Staatsoper. He and Joy married in 1989 and lived at Lightwood with their sons Andrew and Thomas until 2003. After moving to Williamsburg, they opened Lightwood House in 2004 as a vacation rental and have enjoyed sharing it with guests from around the world ever since.
Property Photos
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- Lightwood House - Williamsburg Area, Surry, VA - Virginia Vacation Rental - Travel & Tourism
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- Front Gates - Williamsburg Area, Surry, VA - Virginia Vacation Rental - Travel & Tourism
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- Living Room, Circa 1795 - Williamsburg Area, Surry, VA - Virginia Vacation Rental - Travel & Tourism
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- Dining Room, Circa 1760
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- Entrance Hall
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- Blue Bedroom
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- Yellow Bedroom
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- Garden Corner
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- Kitchen
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- Living Room
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- Lightwood in Winter
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- Bathroom With Whirlpool Tub
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- Lightwood Lane and Front Garden
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- View from Back Porch
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- Private Entrance to Lightwood
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- Lightwood Forest
Traveler Reviews (200)
Guestbook Comment
Guest: Bob and Meg Skibbens
(Not Specified)
Date of Stay: 07/01/07
Review Submitted: 07/11/07
We met our extended family down there. What a great house! We had a wonderful vacation-enjoyed Williamsburg, Jamestown, Busch Gardens and lots of GOLF. The kids favorite thing was taking the ferry daily! Cliff and Joy are fantastic.
Recommended for:
Leesburg, VA
Guest: Leesburg, VA
(-)
Date of Stay: 09/05/11
Review Submitted: 09/13/11
Dear Cliff: We found Lightwood very beautiful. We so enjoyed relaxing here on the patio, hiking the trail, and very much appreciated the clearing done after the hurricane damage. This is a great location and you have done an awesome job with the restoration. Our best to you and Joy. We look forward to returning some day.
Recommended for:
The G. Family from the UK
Guest: The G. Family
(-)
Date of Stay: 08/26/11
Review Submitted: 09/13/11
Thank you for letting us stay in your lovely home. We very much enjoyed sitting in the garden and hiking the trails. The people in Virginia were so friendly and welcoming, we would love to come back again.
Recommended for:
The B. Family
Guest: The B. Family
(-)
Date of Stay: 08/18/11
Review Submitted: 09/13/11
I am an avid historian. Staying at Lightwood was a delightful tack back into an historical past that I treasure. I felt like Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe came alive. We have visited Williamsburg many times over our marriage, but Lightwood made it very special for us. Our little dog enjoyed the woods and the trails. You have truly captured a wonderful era in our history. We plan to visit again.
Recommended for:
W. and A.
Guest: W. and A.
(-)
Date of Stay: 08/12/11
Review Submitted: 09/13/11
We enjoyed the home and all of the extras...camp fires, etc. The children had a wonderful time playing and watching for fairies outside. The adults enjoyed walking the short trail. The charm of this house really made the long drive from Texas worthwhile. Thanks so much.
Recommended for:
Virginia and Italy
Guest: Virginia and Italy
(-)
Date of Stay: 08/06/11
Review Submitted: 09/13/11
Thank you so much for a wonderful stay. Our visitors from Italy got a wonderful taste of the beauty and interest of our country by seeing this part of the state, and also got a great sense of the warmth and hospitality of Virginians with your efforts to make sure our stay was as perfect as possible. We're already planning our return! Your house is a gem and we enjoyed it thoroughly inside and out!
Recommended for:
The S. Family
Guest: The S. Family
(-)
Date of Stay: 07/29/11
Review Submitted: 09/13/11
What an amazing place this is. Thank you for sharing it with our family. Our group of "Yankees" has enjoyed this taste of the old South. Great style and decor.
Recommended for:
The S. and B. Families
Guest: The S. and B. Families
(-)
Date of Stay: 07/09/11
Review Submitted: 09/13/11
Dear Lightwood House: It has been our pleasure to be here in your beautiful home. We so much appreciated the antiquity, mixed with modern pleasures. The serenity we found here was what we were looking for, and this lovely stopping place was a highlight we will always remember. Thank you for the family memories.
Recommended for:
From Colorado and Maryland
Guest: Colorado and Maryland
(-)
Date of Stay: 06/22/11
Review Submitted: 09/13/11
Thank you so much for this beautiful house! We had a great time getting together as a family and discovering everything about this house. Mornings on the porch were so peaceful. It was fun getting to know this side of the river and everyone's favorite part was the ferry ride. We truly appreciate all your hard work and the love put into this house!
Recommended for:
The M. Family
Guest: The M. family
(-)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11
Review Submitted: 09/13/11
The best part of the entire trip was being able to step back in time in your home and land! You have a true treasure here. If we could stay here forever, we would.
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #44012
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