Whoa, horsie! We offer horse rides! Old Farmhouse in background.
Location: Boone, Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina, USA (We are in Todd, 20 mins to Boone or West Jefferson) View Map
Accommodations: Farmhouse, 3 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 1 Bath (Sleeps 8-10)
The Old Farmhouse at Willet Ponds Horse Farm in Todd offers...
More than a place to stay: an Appalachian farm experience.
It's all about the farm, and the peaceful, enriching experience your family will have here. Interact with our farm animal favorites: Lucy the pot-bellied pig, Solomon the long-eared donkey, several horses and some very friendly dogs. Watch our delightful Farmhouse VIDEO to see the whole menagerie in action and to better understand what a visit could mean to your family (scroll down to "Links to More Information").
A week in the country is worth a month in town. Treat yourself to the simple joys in life and discover why we have an extremely high guest return rate. Join us in feeding our flock of chickens, gathering eggs, and waking to the rooster’s crow--it's therapeutic!
“This was the best week of my life,” said one 4-year-old guest, speaking for most of the children who have experienced our farm and fallen in love with the “Little House on the Prarie” style Old Farmhouse. Indeed, what we hear time and time again is that Willet Ponds Farm is the perfect vacation spot for any animal lover or country romantic who needs a break from the suburbs.
This quaint, century-old farmhouse offers an excellent venue for experiencing the Appalachian countryside, be it with kids, or on a romantic getaway: fresh mountain air, babbling brooks, nature at your doorstep. Tucked away on a dead-end road, nestled at the base of Elk Knob State Park, the Old Farmhouse takes one back to a slower day, a simpler time. Generous decking wraps around three sides, ending in a covered porch from which unfolds the brilliant green valley and a pastoral scene that will keep you dreaming wistfully from the porch swing.
The house has been well lived in and well loved for generations. It’s authentic—not a log cabin kit popped up on a hillside. There is spirit and character here. The Old Farmhouse is picture perfect in every way your imagination tells you a quaint Appalachian farmhouse should be. Antique furniture, rustic wormy chestnut cabinetry, knotty pine and hardwood floors, handmade quilts, and vintage photographs will convince you of its Appalachian heritage.
A spacious, well-equipped kitchen, comfortable family room, and attractive sunroom with double French doors give you plenty of space to relax inside. The farmhouse has two charming bedrooms on the ground level, each with a double bed, plus an upstairs bedroom (two single beds) and attic room (single bed plus cot) that will enchant your children—they absolutely love it here.
Willet Ponds, our 16-acre farm, is 5 minutes from historic Todd (the famous General Store and Wi-Fi Mercantile bakery), one more skip to the scenic New River (tubing, canoeing/kayaking/rafting, fishing, & swimming, not to mention easy bike riding along the river), 15 minutes to Elk Knob State Park, and only 20 minutes to either Boone or West Jefferson. From Boone you’ll have easy access to the ski slopes, Tweetsie, shopping in Blowing Rock, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Grandfather Mountain. But be sure to schedule in some down time to just enjoy the profound serenity of the property, to watch the horses graze.
The adventurous can explore two mountain streams on the property that are just the right size to play in, then catch supper from the trout pond teaming with tadpoles, salamanders, bluegill, and rainbow trout (fishing poles provided). There’s a small camping spot with a tent platform along the creek, a large bonfire pit, and hiking from the house to nearby waterfalls. Deer and wild turkey abound. It’s a birder’s delight: scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, red-winged blackbirds, hummers, and bluebirds galore! And as dusk falls, the spring peepers begin to sing a chorus while countless fireflies rise from the pasture, performing a natural light show rivaled only by the brilliant night sky that’s so full of stars, it can only be imagined from the city.
Cozy in Winter: While the house does not have a usable fireplace, the Toyostove heater features the glow of a fire and keeps the house cozy on the coldest nights.
No A/C: The Old Farmhouse does not have, or, in most cases, need, air conditioning. Keep the windows open and enjoy the babbling brook and the breeze. One recent guest from Florida admitted she was a bit worried about staying at a place without A/C in July, but afterwords said, "The house was very pleasant. It's got God's central air. I wouldn't change a thing. Please don't change a thing!"
Horse Rides:
Kiddie Rides: Young riders will be delighted to sit on a horse and have us lead them around the farm. $25 per family.
Instructional Rides for Beginner & Intermediate Riders: Learn the basics of communicating with a horse. Start in the riding ring and get acquainted with your horse: steering, starting, and stopping. We’ll adjust instruction to match your riding competency. Riding the short trails around the farm with a guide may be possible, depending on confidence level and competency. We keep horses at a walk. One hour. $35 per rider.
In addition to our horses, friendly dogs, chickens, pot-bellied pig, and donkey, we also live on this, our dream farm, in a house across the way (not too close). We personally manage the Old Farmhouse, making it clean and comfortable, in hopes that you’ll feel that you’re staying in a home, not a generic rental cabin. We make sure to take care that you have everything you need, be it a cup of flour or freshly laid free-range eggs.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ve made room for you here, too.
Favorite Things to Do
On the Property:
1) Roast marshmallows at the fire ring.
2) Walk the hiking trail up to the seldom-seen falls.
3) Feed the chickens and gather eggs.
4) Horsie rides (subject to owner’s schedule)
5) Fish for supper in the trout pond.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Beds
- Double Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library: A variety of children's videos.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- View/Location
- Mountain View
- Communications
- Telephone
- Other Amenities
- Fresh Farm Eggs, Fully-equipped Kitchen (Microwave, Toaster, Coffee Maker, Refrigerator), XL Bathroom w/ Double Sink, Ceiling Fans, Books, Magazines, Board Games, Toys, Fire Pit, Camping Site, Fishing Poles, bicycles for children, Easy Winter Access, God's Central Air (no A/C needed), Very Kid-Friendly
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Sledding/Tubing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Petting Zoo (Donkey, pig, horses, dogs), Trout Pond, Hiking Trails to Waterfall on Property, Marshmallow Roasting, Fiefly Catching, Bird Watching, Camping, plus everything else you could possibly want to do in the high country, NEAR Blue Ridge Parkway and All Area Tourist Sites (Tweetsie Railroad, Grandfather Mountain, etc, ) Good access to Merle Fest (30 mins)& Highland Games.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Experience a week for ONLY $1025! This bargain rate includes farm fresh eggs.
$155/night for first 6 nights, thereafter $95/night. Monthly Rate: Seasonal.
Rates are firm & non-negotiable. 12.75% NC & CNTY tax additional.
Avoid 3% credit card processing fee if paying by check. Cleaning fee $65.
Reservations made less than 60 days before arrival require payment in full.
Cancellation fee: $50 or 10%, whichever is more. No minimum stay. No booking fee.
You will find no better value for your vacation dollar. We are fair, friendly &
easy to work with. We might barter for time at your vacation rental, too.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Map & Owner's Profile
Live on a Farm, Ride Horses, Gather Eggs, Feed Chickens & Fish
Year Purchased: 2003
Why the Owner Chose Boone
Years ago, the Old Farmhouse belonged to my great uncle Robey, who made a living raising sheep and cattle on this small Appalachian family farm. Though it left the family and changed hands a number of times, and got divided up over the years, the heart of the farm was still intact and up for sale when I found myself looking for the perfect place to settle down, pasture my horses, and raise my children. It was a wonderful feeling to be able to bring the place back into the family, and continue on a tradition and lifestyle that my family has known for many generations. In 2003 my husband and I bought the property and over the course of a couple years were able to build a new farmhouse, then turn the Old Farmhouse into a guest house/vacation rental. There is a wonderful spirit to the place; I suppose that is why everyone falls in love with it and is so eager to return at the next opportunity.
The Unique Benefits at this Farmhouse
To leave the sounds of the city behind, and soak up the peaceful serenity of the country seasons, is a balm for the soul. The hard work of never-ending farm chores is so very much offset by the beauty of the quiet valley that the chores become a pleasure. They are the anti-dote to sitting in front of a computer monitor from 9 to 5. We do have full-time jobs that take us to Boone, which serves as our daily reminder that we live in heaven. We look forward to and count as precious the days we don't have to go anywhere, the days we can spend all day working, playing, and relaxing at our year-round vacation home here at Willet Ponds Horse Farm.
Visit the Todd General Store, the Mercantile Bakery, and outfitters for boating/tubing the New River.
This nearby state park offers a great family hike to the top of Elk Knob, where fabulous vistas treat the eye and soul.
This road along the river is perfect for bike rides, jogs, and scenic drives. This side of Watauga County is famous for excellent cycling routes through pastoral mountain countryside.
Owner's Map of Boone
I grew up in the High Country on a small family farm, where my dad kept horses, chickens, rabbits, beagles, goats, and whatever else he took a fancy to. I can't remember not having a horse to ride, or a bored moment. Though I sold my horse when I was 16 to buy a car, and drove off to Florida, Texas, then Canada, the mountains and country living always had a pull on me. Finally, I gave in and returned to the place that was dearest to my heart, and am now delighted to give my children the mountain roots and country upbringing that have meant so much to me. Living in the beautiful, peaceful mountains, surrounded by farm critters great and small, has been a dream come true in my life. And I'm thrilled to be able to share the dream with vacationers who would like to sample this lifestyle, if only for a week.
Property Photos
- Whoa, horsie! We offer horse rides! Old Farmhouse in background. - Bald Mountain, NC Farmhouse Lodging near Boone
- The Old Farmhouse is a year-round favorite. - Bald Mountain, NC Farmhouse Lodging near Boone
- "This was the best week of my life!" is what many kids exclaim. - Bald Mountain, NC Farmhouse Lodging near Boone
- Spacious kitchen with rustic wormy chestnut cabinetry.
- Dining area adjoining kitchen; additional seating at bar.
- Sunroom with morning and afternoon light.
- Upstairs bedroom has a magical Little House on the Prairie feel.
- Schedule a riding lesson in the riding ring adjacent the house.
- View from front porch swing; morning fog filling the green valley.
- Flaming fall color peaks in mid-October & is a sight to behold!
- Lucy the pot-bellied pig is our official greeter and a farm favorite.
- Birdseye view of Old Farmhouse, barn, and pasture.
- The spacious master bedroom features an antique double bed.
- The Bluebird Bedroom with double bed is bright and cheery.
- Easy winter access and a few inches of snow makes it a winter wonderland.
- We hunt Easter eggs EVERY day of the year -- kids #1 favorite activity.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #85830
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