Entire home

The Historic Poorhouse at Cardinal Springs

The Historic Poorhouse at Cardinal Springs

Photo gallery for The Historic Poorhouse at Cardinal Springs

Living area
Living area
Room
Room
Living area

Overview of The Historic Poorhouse at Cardinal Springs

Reviews
9.8 out of 10 Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendlyPet friendlyPet friendly
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Outdoor SpaceOutdoor SpaceOutdoor Space
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Sperryville, VA
  • Popular LocationLittle Washington Winery9 min drive
  • Popular LocationThorton Gap Entrance Shenandoah17 min drive
  • Popular LocationMary's Rock Summit Trailhead18 min drive
  • AirportWashington, DC (IAD-Washington Dulles Intl.)74 min drive

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Loft Bedroom

1 Double Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

First floor bath

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

The Historic Poorhouse at Cardinal Springs

Escape to the serenity of the Blue Ridge Mountains and experience the magic of Virginia country living in our totally renovated, upscale “Poor House.” Part of the original county Poor Farm established to support the large number of poor veterans and their families created by the Civil War, this quaint cottage is rich in history and loaded with charm. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a special place to celebrate, or a week-end retreat, you've come to just the right place!

Take advantage of all that nature has to offer by exploring our 130 acres of mountain forests, pastures, gardens, ponds, and historic structures. Watch the fireflies light up the starlit sky as you relax on the porch or on the magnificent covered dock. Hike our mountain trails. Swim, canoe, or fish in our fully stocked, 3 acre pond. Or roast marshmallows around the campfire and listen to nature's brilliant nighttime chorus!

Experience the amazing beauty of the surrounding countryside by visiting Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, and 'Old Rag' Mountain only minutes away. Bike some of the most scenic country roads in the Mid-Atlantic region, visit award winning wineries, breweries, and distilleries, marvel at the Blue Ridge by horseback, visit the local farmer’s market, and take home treasures from the many local art galleries and antique stores. If that isn't enough, expand your abilities with yoga and tai chi lessons, art and knitting classes, and drumming circles. If relaxation is your primary goal, we will help you to arrange a massage, beauty treatment, or catering on the premises. And not to be missed are the local dining options, from country bakeries, quaint diners, and gourmet eateries featuring local produce and meat, to world class dining at the Inn at Little Washington only 10 minutes away.

Our new upscale Poor House features two original stone fireplaces to keep you cozy warm on chilly days, one in the large bedroom and the other in the great room. The house is trimmed in original barn wood from buildings on the farm dating back to the 1860s. In the Great Room, you will find a modern kitchenette with microwave, mini refrigerator/freezer, coffee maker, and toaster. The two story, vaulted Great Room also features soapstone counters, slate floors, and windows that bring the outdoors inside. Two porches front and back are within hearing distance of the active stream nearby. A large bedroom with a stone fireplace and queen bed welcomes you downstairs and the upstairs loft features a full bed.

Finally, if you would like to fully experience rural life, you are welcome to help us with the many projects that farm living offers, from gardening to caring for our farm family of goats, horses, mules, chickens, ducks, guineas, cats, and dogs. We will make every effort to customize your stay so that your experience is memorable!

For additional accommodations on the farm, see listing #141702 the Farm House and #457779 the Barn Loft. Family and corporate retreats hosted with on site globally recognized facilitator and leadership coach. Friendly, well mannered, animal and people- friendly pets are welcome. We are a non-smoking property.

Property manager

Andrea Wooten and Steve Ray
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor Space
Barbecue grill
Fireplace

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Steep stairs to Loft must be considered.

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)
Must follow our Pet Guidelines & pay fee. .

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We are a nonsmoking property.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Sperryville

Located in Sperryville, this vacation home is in a rural area and on a lake. River District Arts and Glassworks Gallery are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Copper Fox Distillery and Little Washington Winery. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Sperryville, VA

What's nearby

  • Little Washington Winery - 9 min drive
  • Thorton Gap Entrance Shenandoah - 17 min drive
  • Mary's Rock Summit Trailhead - 18 min drive
  • Pinnacles - 25 min drive
  • Skyland - 32 min drive

Getting around

  • Culpeper Station - 28 min drive
  • Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) - 74 min drive

Restaurants

  • Three Blacksmiths - 5 min drive
  • Rappahannock Pizza Company - 5 min drive
  • Little Washington Winery - 11 min drive
  • Off The Grid - 8 min drive
  • The Base At Blueridge - 8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Historic Poorhouse at Cardinal Springs pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at The Historic Poorhouse at Cardinal Springs?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Historic Poorhouse at Cardinal Springs?

Check-out is at 12:00 PM.

Where is The Historic Poorhouse at Cardinal Springs located?

Situated on a lake, this vacation home is 2.7 mi (4.4 km) from Copper Fox Distillery and 2.8 mi (4.4 km) from River District Arts. Shenandoah National Park and Glassworks Gallery are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 36 out of 39 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 39 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 39 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 39 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 39 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mary M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Divine!
Our family stayed for a weekend and could not have been more thrilled! Our hosts were a delight, the beauty of the property is second to none, and the animals were a wonderful addition!!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Torin J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful and beautiful property
Andrea and Steve were great hosts - communicative and provide a great experience with the various animals and opportunities to experience their farm. The Poorhouse was very well equipped, clean and perfect for our family. The property is beautiful and close to many restaurants and activities. We cannot to stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

Frank S., Bethesda, MD

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Simple, Pleasant and Grossly Over-Priced
The entry way is/was very dangerous because of the steps down and up and my wife uses a walker. This was mitigated by the OUTSTANDING handyman who constructed a wooden bridge, which should become a permanent structure. The main room is smaller than the fish-eye camera shot portrays. Bedrooms are quite nice. Kitchen is inadequate. Just too small and the mat in front of the sink is downright dangerous. Speaking of danger, the one bath is totally unsatisfactory. Too small, way too cramped and the shower is so slippery my wife fell and pulled the shower curtain down, bruising her hip. The grounds are lovely and great for a pleasant walk but the entry road needs work. It is barely suitable for a four-wheel drive vehicle. At $450 per night it is grossly overpriced.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tim W., Rockville, MD

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy weekend retreat
Really nice stay for the family. Kids loved seeing all the animals, feeding the goats, and taking the pedal boat for a spin around the pond.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

David M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our stay at the Poorhouse
What a great location! Not far from the main road but in a different world. My wife and I stayed three nights to enjoy the fall colors and to hike in Shenandoah Nat'l Park. Sperryville is five minutes away, the park about 20. The cottage was charming and nicely decorated. We cooked in all three nights as most restaurants in the area are closed during the week. There is neither stove nor dishwasher, but we had no difficulties reheating frozen entrees we had brought from home, supplemented with fresh ingredients from the local store. Walking around the property watching the animals was such a refreshing change from city living, we would love to come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

About the host

Hosted by Andrea Wooten and Steve Ray

Host profile image
Originally from Texas (Andrea) and California (Steve), we consider ourselves 'refugees' from the Washington, DC suburbs, where we lived and worked for 18 years. We first visited Rappahannock County in 2002 for a retreat, and immediately fell in love with the Blue Ridge and all the area has to offer. After several years of looking at real estate, we bought the historic 130 acre county 'Poor Farm' in 2002 and began an extensive remodeling of the old farm house and barn. We also added ponds, roads, a dock, fencing, an orchard, extensive flower and vegetable gardens, and animals (mules, horses, goats, chickens, dogs, barn cats, guineas, ducks and cattle). In 2010, we moved to our new home on the farm--a Virginia farmhouse with a big wrap around porch. And in 2012, we restored the old chicken coop and added chickens to our little menagerie. We also completed work on a new barn that includes a new 'Barn Loft' to accommodate additional visitors. A total renovation of the only standing "Poor House" was completed in June 2019, and may prove to be our most popular property. Our farm is our little slice of heaven, and we feel blessed to share it with those who stay with us!

Why they chose this property

The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia are one of the most beautiful places on earth to us! And Rappahannock County embodies values that we hold dear: close friends, strong sense of community, amazing commitment to conservation and stewardship of the earth, and a rural lifestyle that allows us stay in touch with ourselves and live our priorities. The area also has a vibrant arts community, world class hiking, excellent restaurants and inns, including the Inn at Little Washington, interesting shops, art galleries, and antique stores, and holistic medicine options. It is also close to Washington, DC and Charlottesville, Virginia, and a little over an hour to both Dulles and Washington Reagan airports. We could not think of a more ideal place to live and work!

What makes this property unique

Our property is secluded, at the end of a lovely country lane only 5 minutes from the little town of Sperryville. It is a place where the star lit sky sparkles so clearly at night that you almost lose your breath in lush flower and vegetable gardens and views of the Blue Ridge feed our fish jump in the pond and the birds and frogs compete in a the only sounds are those of nature. Our cozy, completely remodeled farmhouse provides an ideal place to relax and unwind, and our 130 acres of forest, pastures, and ponds provide endless hiking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, biking, and exploration opportunities. Our friendly farm animals will love and entertain you. If you are looking for a place to relax, unwind, and get away from it all, this is just the place! We are pet friendly.

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