Vacation Rentals by Owner

From Washington State

Guest: C. and R. W.
Date of Stay: 04/28/12 Review Submitted: 05/22/12

The house fits us like a glove. Our children, J. (5), M. (9), J. (12), L. (12), and V. (13), loved the paths, garden, toys, and books. R. and I enjoyed the remarkable restoration, the eye for exquisite detail you two possess, and the care you have taken to ensure your guests' every comfort. To have had the unexpected pleasure (and time) to reread Euripides was an additional bonus. Many thanks.

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From Nova

Guest: A.G. and H.A.
Date of Stay: 03/31/12 Review Submitted: 05/22/12

As always the extended G. and A. family had a magnificent time here at Lightwood. We look forward to one visit all year and start planning to return as soon as we leave. Our grandsons love it here and think that the loft bedroom is magic. Many thanks for a wonderful stay.

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Ages 5 and 3 years.

Guest: O. age 5, and C. age 3.
Date of Stay: 03/31/12 Review Submitted: 05/22/12

My favorite part of Surry this year was hiking on the trail down to the creek. It was really fun. Thanks. O. And also... Thank you, it was very fun at your house. Me like watching TV, just sitting in Cliff's chair, and peeking at the kitchen table from my room. And thank you. C.

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Beautiful Lightwood House!

Guest: The S. Family
Date of Stay: 03/20/12 Review Submitted: 03/26/12

Dear Cliff & Joy, & Beautiful Lightwood House! Our four families had a great and memorable time here....Thank you both for allowing us to share this very special home. We will all have a lifetime of memories, and all wish someday to return.

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From Canada

Guest: The W., and L., families
Date of Stay: 03/17/12 Review Submitted: 03/26/12

Cliff and Joy, You have created a beautiful place, one that quickly felt like home to our two families. Thank you for sharing it with us and here's hoping we make the trek from Canada again some day!

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The V. Family

Guest: The V. Family
Date of Stay: 12/30/11 Review Submitted: 02/16/12

Thank you for a wonderful family experience. We were four generations from 91 to 4 years old and there was something here for everyone. My daughter was here on leave from Japan and she wanted a real American experience before she returned. This was perfect! We love Lightwood House. P.S. The camellias in the rooms were a lovely touch. I felt like Violetta.

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Thank you!

Guest: The B. Family. WA, NYC, D.C., and Harare, Zimbabwe
Date of Stay: 11/01/11 Review Submitted: 02/16/12

Warmly welcomed, Lightwood House standing guarded by stately beeches and hickories...as a vintage colonial offering cozy elegance and the perfect place for celebrating family, tying secret wishes on the fairy tree....We depart regretfully but with treasured memories and happy hearts. Thank you!

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The B. family

Guest: The B. Family
Date of Stay: 10/15/11 Review Submitted: 02/16/12

Your home truly has been a gift to our family. We have enjoyed our time here immensely. Staying at Lightwood enhanced our trip to Virginia in a significant way. I think we could have remained right here on the property the whole time and been perfectly happy! I'm so grateful that you have made this beautiful property available to others. It is a treasure, and one we'll never forget!

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Grande!

Guest: T., et al.
Date of Stay: 09/24/11 Review Submitted: 02/16/12

All is best expressed by one word: Grande! Despite the rain, we had a delightful time. You are gracious hosts. Hence your ministry of hospitality. Blessings.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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An amazing house!

Guest: Ron (Montville, NJ)
Date of Stay: 07/17/11 Review Submitted: 07/29/11

My family and I were really blown away by Lightwood House. It was a wonderful base from which we could explore Williamsburg, Jamestown, Busch Gardens, and other attractions in the area. We had all the comforts of home in a relaxed, country setting. Lightwood's appearance, character, and setting will really make you feel like you are back in the 1700's, providing a beautiful, quiet retreat. If you like being in the country, this is the place to stay. The owners were very responsive to our requests and had already provided the house with everything we needed to set up shop during our stay. We'll be back when the kids are just a little older and can better appreciate some of the colonial history in the area...Lightwood is worth the trip! Highest marks all around!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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.

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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!

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Historic Home and Owners Come Through!

Guest: Joan R.
Date of Stay: 06/22/11 Review Submitted: 07/06/11

We totally enjoyed spending time with our extended family in this 1760 circa home. Investigating the house and property was the highlight of the trip ... even better than touring Williamsburg. Riding the ferry daily was also a joyful and interesting experience. Time well spent in a very comfortable and peaceful environment! We truly hated to leave. Stay as long as you can.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

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.

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Guest: The C. Family
Date of Stay: 05/20/11 Review Submitted: 06/04/11

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful home with us. We had a wonderful week travelling to Surry, Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, and Smithfield. The kids especially loved the garden, yard, and woods, and we kept a running tally of the wildlife we espied.

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Guest: The W. Family
Date of Stay: 05/16/11 Review Submitted: 06/04/11

Our family had a wonderful time at this house!! We loved the yard and the view from the windows--it was very beautiful. Thank you so much for having us to stay at such an historically important place and for giving us a fantastic opportunity to learn how it was to live in a pre-modern house. Thank you very much!

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Guest: The Y. family
Date of Stay: 04/25/11 Review Submitted: 04/27/11

What a lovely place to stay and enjoy neighboring Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown! You've done such a painstaking and beautiful job restoring/rebuilding Lightwood. Thank you for sharing it with us. Our children loved having an Easter egg hunt Sunday morning in the herb garden. Best wishes--we will be back.

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Guest: K.Y.
Date of Stay: 04/25/11 Review Submitted: 04/27/11

Thank you very much for the stay. Every day people remarked that the house was like a mansion. The house is beautiful.

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Guest: E.S.
Date of Stay: 04/25/11 Review Submitted: 04/27/11

This was like a "dream!" The house was a gorgeous masterpiece, the field was golden with buttercups, and there was amazing wildlife. We didn't see any turtles, but a tree frog was on our door. Overall it was a breathtaking adventure at Lightwood. I would not want to stay anywhere else. I had SO much fun and wish I could stay longer. I REALLY hope to come back next year. Yours truly, E.S.

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Guest: S.Y.
Date of Stay: 04/25/11 Review Submitted: 04/27/11

I had such a wonderful stay. It was too good for words, but I will say this; the swings were awesome and we had a really good Easter egg hunt with my friends and my brother. I hope I can come back sometime.

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Guest: Ladies of the Written Word
Date of Stay: 03/28/11 Review Submitted: 04/03/11

In the year of our lord, Two Thousand and Eleven, five dear friends graced these hallowed halls. Four traveled far from the state of Pennsylvania and one traveled long from her home in South Carolina. They partook of mead and other sacred beverages, celebrated with the strumming of guitars and minstrel singing, and consumed a bounty of gourmet delights. They enjoyed a vigorous stroll on the provided paths and were very much delighted to find the fairie tree. The dining table was a most comfortable setting for them to eat, drink, and be merry. If these ancient walls could speak, many secret tales would spill forth. They rested like princesses upon the ample beds and their bones were warmed by the numerous fires. They left well rested, rejuvenated, and prepared to return to South Carolina and Pennsylvania and resume their daily lives as mothers, wives, teachers, and homemakers. They are eternally grateful for the rest and relaxation found within the walls of Lightwood House.

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Guest: H and A
Date of Stay: 03/11/11 Review Submitted: 03/22/11

As always we have had a wonderful time. The grandsons love coming here, and we love the peace and contentment. We will be back.

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Guest: The K., S., and J. Families
Date of Stay: 02/21/11 Review Submitted: 03/22/11

Dear Cliff and family--Thank you so much for providing such a warm, spacious, and beautiful place for our family to gather. It was so wonderful to be able to spend time here together. I hope we'll be able to come again.

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Guest: From Cleveland, OH
Date of Stay: 01/02/11 Review Submitted: 03/22/11

Happy New Year! Thank you Cliff and Joy for helping us ring in the New Year in your beautiful home. This was truly a labor of love. All the details that went into your home--the antiques, the hardwood floors, beams, and the meticulous restoration have created a colonial gem. your hard work is much appreciated.

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Guest: The K. and M. Families
Date of Stay: 12/26/10 Review Submitted: 03/22/11

Happy New Year! Our stay at Lightwood was truly memorable! The house is absolutely charming and remains so much "as it was," while, at the same time, catering to needs of the spoiled ways of the 21st century. The enormous snowstorm added to our fun, but we would all love to return to enjoy the beautiful woods that surround the house and perhaps find some fairies. Many thanks.

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Guest: The L. Family
Date of Stay: 11/23/10 Review Submitted: 03/22/11

We loved coming here! We felt like we were back in time! We loved the trails--especially our dog Ranger. I loved the spinet. I played lots of songs !

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Guest: From Sydney, Australia
Date of Stay: 10/15/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

The opportunity to stay in your lovely home has made our stay in Virginia very special. We will leave with many happy memories made even more memorable by the opportunity to "live" the American historical experience--and with all imaginable home comforts!

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Guest: The F. Family
Date of Stay: 10/12/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

What a blessing to have had the pleasure of staying at this magnificent house. The memories of these past 6 days will remain with us throughout the rest of our lives. The peace and tranquility has been beyond description. No member of our family has been anxious to leave and return to the present, as this experience in this house was a definite trip back to the simplicity of the past. You top the list of hosts and we all extend to you our deepest thanks.

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Guest: From Cumbria, UK
Date of Stay: 09/01/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

Thank you for letting us stay in your wonderful house. We have had a great time that, as ever, has gone too quickly. We have enjoyed Virginia a great deal and hope to come back. It is truly a wonderful state, so much to see and do it's difficult to fit it all in.

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Guest: The U. Family
Date of Stay: 08/31/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful old house and grounds with us. Loved strolling, jogging, and playing on the paths and grounds. Liked discovering the "faerie tree" and the treasures it holds. We really appreciated the herb garden and had several wonderful meals, with herbs as a high point. The whole family (all 4 generations) enjoyed our stay and the fascination Lightwood holds in different ways for each of us. We hope to return one day.

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Guest: H, S, P, T, L, and I
Date of Stay: 08/22/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

We count ourselves incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience first-hand the peace and delights of Lightwood House. We were instantly charmed by the long winding drive and the warm glow of the home itself. The loving care that has been poured into this home and its restoration seems to spill from every nook and cranny. Everything our hearts desired was found at hand. Thank you so much for sharing your outstanding piece of heaven with us.

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Guest: The P. and C. Families
Date of Stay: 08/18/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

We have enjoyed our stay in your beautifully restored and furnished home. We loved the setting in the beech woods. We had BBQs and walked in the forest, resting a moment on the seat by the Indian Spirit Tree. Many thanks.

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Guest: The W. Family
Date of Stay: 08/08/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

Thank you so much for allowing us to stay in your enchanting "cottage." It truly is a magical place. We loved everything! The kids adored the garden and yard. They also had fun with the faeries--they're very mischievous! The next time we come back, we'll be sure to look you up.

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Guest: The K. Family
Date of Stay: 07/18/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

Thank you for allowing us to stay at Lightwood! It is very beautiful. We had a wonderful time exploring the house and grounds. We visited Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown and enjoyed it all. May the fairies continue to bless this home with their magic!

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Guest: The C. Family
Date of Stay: 07/11/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

We had a wonderful time. The house is beautiful and filled with history. We would love to visit again.

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Guest: The F. Family
Date of Stay: 07/04/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

We had a wonderful time at your historic, country manor. The walks on the trail, seeing the wildlife, and just relaxing on the back porch were all wonderful. This was a great time for our family and was possible due to your home. Thank you.

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Guest: The W. Family
Date of Stay: 06/23/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

Lightwood was the perfect place to celebrate mom's 90th. Four generations loved every second from box turtles on the trail, riding the ferry, and grilling in the back yard. Telling our grandchildren we had bugs that light up, and them saying "No way!" until they saw one light up--what a joy!

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Guest: K and D
Date of Stay: 05/31/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

This weekend was absolutely wonderful. I don't know what is more awe inspiring: the last 300 years of history or the last 30. What a wonderful job you've done here. Thank you for sharing it with us. We hope to be back again soon.

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Guest: AG and HA
Date of Stay: 05/22/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

Cliff-As always we had a magic and magnificent time staying at Lightwood. The house is sublime and our brother and his wife were enthralled by the place. We will be back

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WOW!! - what a beautiful place - it is a great place to stay!!!

Guest: EAJ (Franklin, Tennessee)
Date of Stay: 05/01/10 Review Submitted: 05/07/10

My family and a friend’s family went to Virginia to visit Jamestown and Williamsburg. We had a great time visiting these historic places. We decided to stay in the Eighteenth Century Plantation House on 70 Beautiful Acres (#44012) to make our trip feel even more like we were in the eighteenth century. The house was great. The families enjoy our time at the house. We could have stayed at the house, not gone to Jamestown and Williamsburg, the whole time we were in Virginia and had a great vacation. The adults and kids loved it. The owners are great people and very helpful!!! The property is not close to a large grocery store, so get your groceries before you cross the furry. After you cross the furry, there is a small grocery store in town. Again I would stay in this property again and would highly recommend it to everyone.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Janet and David and family
Date of Stay: 04/01/10 Review Submitted: 04/13/10

To Whom It May Concern: We saw lots of faerie activity in the nearby woods, and also experienced several incidents of faerie mischief perpetrated upon ourselves by little folk unknown. Be ye warned...

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Guest: Harris and Ann
Date of Stay: 03/26/10 Review Submitted: 04/13/10

Thanks as always for the stay at Lightwood. We had a magnificent time. As always, Lightwood is a place of quiet, order, and enchantment.

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Guest: Miriam and Al R.
Date of Stay: 01/27/10 Review Submitted: 04/13/10

Here to celebrate our parents' 50th anniversary. What a perfect setting to reflect upon 50 wonderful years of love, laughter, and hope.

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Guest: Dunscomb Family (213 Barricklo St, Hamilton NJ )
Date of Stay: 01/06/10 Review Submitted: 01/06/10

We stayed the week between Christmas and New Years. The house was beautifully decorated, including a live tree. And Colonial Williamsburg and the surrounding area is gorgeous with their natural decorations of fruit and greens. Everyone in our group, from 80 year old Grandmom to 10 year old son, not to mention the year-old Boston Terrior, had an marvelous time! Everything in the house was exactly as advertised - beautiful in every detail. The grounds are spectacular, even in winter. We enjoyed the hiking trails so much - the streams,bridges and waterfalls were highlights. Lightwood House is a great choice for a family vacation. No one will be bored! (our two boys brought their Airsoft guns and had great time shooting at targets in the woods). The big dining room table and cozy fireplaces lend themselves to leisurely meals, long talks and hours of game playing. Everyone will be comfortable, and there is enough roon for people to spread out and have some privacy, too. Cliff and Joy were so helpful and accomodating. We can't say enough about how much we enjoyed our visit to Lightwood House. We hated to leave, and would love to come back! Hamilton NJ

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