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Charming Cottage on Historic Property with Small Working Farm - Beautiful Pool

Charming Cottage on Historic Property with Small Working Farm - Beautiful Pool

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Front of Retreat Cottage
Retreat Cottage
Saltwater pool.
Entrance to pool.
Lots of chairs for lounging.

Overview of Charming Cottage on Historic Property with Small Working Farm - Beautiful Pool

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4850 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • Pet friendlyPet friendlyPet friendly
  • Outdoor SpaceOutdoor SpaceOutdoor Space
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • WasherWasherWasher

Check out the area

Map
Aylett, VA
  • Popular LocationMeadow Event Park18 min drive
  • Popular LocationKings Dominion23 min drive
  • Popular LocationRandolph-Macon College31 min drive
  • AirportRichmond, VA (RIC-Richmond Intl.)52 min drive

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Retreat Cottage Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Retreat Cottage Bath

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Charming Cottage on Historic Property with Small Working Farm - Beautiful Pool

Retreat Cottage is a private, charming 100 year old one-bedroom cottage located on 120 acres of beautiful farmland, landscaped grounds, and gorgeous woods on historic property on a quiet road. Retreat is a great place to unwind and get away from the hustle and bustle. Please keep in mind that because we are in a remote location, internet and cell service can be spotty, especially with inclement weather.

While we are in a rural location, we are centrally located to a number of wonderful Virginia cities and towns - Richmond is about 40 minutes away, Fredericksburg 45 minutes, Williamsburg and Charlottesville an hour and a half, and DC is about two hours away. We are 15 minutes away from the Kings Dominion amusement park, the Meadowpark summer music venue, and the fall Virginia State Fair.

Retreat Cottage is beautifully appointed - with a mixture of antiques and modern, as well as some whimsy. The cottage is well-maintained and has a living room and dining room and full kitchen, as well as a large bathroom with full sized washer and dryer. There is a sweet bedroom with a queen size bed (if more two people, we do have self inflatable mattresses that can be used in living room for up to two additional people,). There are a front porch and small back screened porch to sit and relax and enjoy the lovely views. The back porch is quiet and sweet and overlooks the barn - and the animals.

The cottage is refreshed with frequency with new sheets, pillows, towels, and other upgrades. It is landscaped and mulched - it is not tired or neglected. Great care has been taken to make your stay comfortable and relaxing - with the hope that you can unwind as much as you may care to.

The Retreat property has more than 80 acres of mature woods, with natural springs, creeks, and walking trails throughout - and an amazing tree canopy as well as remarkable topography. An electric golf cart is made available to you if you want to explore the property. It is parked in front of the cottage when you arrive. If we are available, we can take you on a hayride throughout the property. A hammock is located in front of the cottage which is great for the occasional nap, and the nearby tree has a wonderful wooden swing.

We have cornhole boards if you want to play - just ask, we will bring them out to you! Games are in the cottage for rainy days, as well as books and magazines.

A large, well-maintained fenced outdoor saltwater, inground pool is available for guest use - please coordinate with the owners to reserve hours for use (although, generally, guests have exclusive use). The pool has Frontgate floats and pool noodles, as well as pool toys. The pool is usually open from mid to late April through the end of September.

A large brick and slate fire pit in close proximity to the cottage is for guest use as well - with comfortable Adirondack chairs. Firewood is provided. A Weber grill and charcoal and lighter fluid also are provided.

We are a small working farm. Resident free range chickens roam the grounds. They are very social and sometimes follow you around or sit in your lap. You can always almost count on fresh eggs to be in the refrigerator upon your arrival! You can help collect eggs, feed the hens, and put the hens away at night if you are interested. We love to have guests involved in the farm experience as much or as little as they like.

The owners are raising a small flock of Hog Island Sheep, a critically endangered breed - with only a few hundred registered the world. The largest flock is maintained at Mount Vernon. Our sheep have will begin having their lambs in Spring 2024. Our flock is protected by Sasha and Pickles, our majestic Great Pyrenees. We also have a few Dexter cows - a breed that was critically endangered, but is now recovering. Two are bred heifers due to have calves Spring 2024.

As an FYI, if booking, vrbo gives guests two options relating to the damage deposit. One is that guests pay a refundable 1,500 deposit which becomes due and is charged to the card before the stay - like a security deposit. If the host has no damage to report after the stay, the charge is reversed from the card. The second option is for guests to pay a 59 non refundable fee that is charged before the stay - through an insurance carrier. The insurance carrier receives the 59 fee and any damage reported by the host is worked out between the host and the insurance company.

Property manager

Janie Rhoads
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet friendly
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
If more than two guests, additional fees apply.

Events

No events allowed
Determined on case-by-case basis. Fee may apply.

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Up to two, house trained dogs are permitted.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Deposit kept if there is smoking in cottage
Comet, our cairn terrier, roams the property and will likely visit. He is good with other pets and children.
Our sheep and cows are in fenced pastures with an electric wire on the back base of the bottom fence board to keep out critters. Be mindful of wire.
No swimming at night. Children must be supervised in pool area. No running or diving in pool. Please pick up trash and clean up after use of pool.

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
Note from host: Determined on case-by-case basis. Fee may apply.
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, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Aylett

Located in Aylett, this cottage is in a rural area and near theme parks. Hanover County Courthouse and Hanover Tavern are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Virginia Sports Complex and Cold Harbor Battlefield Park - Garthright House. Kings Dominion and Meadow Event Park are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Aylett, VA

What's nearby

  • Meadow Event Park - 18 min drive
  • Hanover County Courthouse - 21 min drive
  • Kings Dominion - 23 min drive
  • Randolph-Macon College - 31 min drive
  • Richmond Raceway - 40 min drive

Getting around

  • Ashland Station - 30 min drive
  • Richmond Intl. Airport (RIC) - 53 min drive

Restaurants

  • Javita Coffee Company - 10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Charming Cottage on Historic Property with Small Working Farm - Beautiful Pool have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Charming Cottage on Historic Property with Small Working Farm - Beautiful Pool pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Charming Cottage on Historic Property with Small Working Farm - Beautiful Pool?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming Cottage on Historic Property with Small Working Farm - Beautiful Pool?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Charming Cottage on Historic Property with Small Working Farm - Beautiful Pool located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is within 16 mi (25 km) of Meadow Event Park, Hanover County Courthouse, and Hanover Tavern. Kings Dominion and Ashland/Hanover Visitor's Center are also within 25 mi (40 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 47 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 48 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Keith S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful little working farm.
A perfect country farm setting with lots of amenities. The cottage was well equipped for any kind of stay. Farm animals and family pets along with local knowledgeable hosts made our stay very interesting, active, relaxing and comfortable. We have family in the area and this will be our go to spot to stay every time.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle A., Washington, DC

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Get Away
Secluded and relaxing getaway. There's a screened in porch perfect for sipping coffee and listening to the wind through the trees, light clucking of chickens and occasional goats and cows saying hello. While the internet likely won't support a bunch of work-related video calls, worked perfectly for phone connectivity + web surfing.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bobby G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great weekend getaway
Came out for a friends’ wedding at Malden Hill. The home is adorable and immaculate. We brought our two dogs and they loved seeing the other animals on the farm. Absolutely recommend and will return!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christina M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect “Retreat”
We loved our stay here! Everything was as described and pictured. Kitchen had everything we needed. The owner and son were super nice and accommodating. They answered all our questions and let us feed and interact with the animals. The fresh eggs were great, and we loved the visiting chickens. And there’s nothing like a pool to keep a teen entertained. Truly a great experience. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Scott M., Yorktown, VA, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
excellent country getaway
What a lovely place to getaway from the city! The space was clean and just enough space to be cozy and located far enough from the buzz of city life. We enjoyed feeding the farm animals just outside, and we had the privilege of holding a newborn lamb. We would definitely recommend this place for a quiet getaway and we would go back again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

About the host

Hosted by Janie Rhoads

Host profile image
We are the grateful stewards of Retreat, a classic Georgian built in 1782, and the surrounding 120 acres of farmland and beautiful woods. We love the property and have endeavored to restore and maintain it thoughtfully and with care.

Why they chose this property

Retreat Cottage is part of the Retreat property, but is located a comfortable distance from the main house. The older part of the main house was built in 1782 and then the front, Georgian section of the house was added in 1808, and the two houses were combined.

Retreat Cottage is about 100 years old and is charming both inside and out, with lovely views of the surrounding property, overlooking a lovely field. The cottage is beautifully decorated and maintained, stocked with most everything you will need, and is a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of more suburban living.

Retreat Cottage is located on the western boundary of King William County and is centrally located to Richmond (35-40 minutes), Fredericksburg (35-40 minutes), D.C. (less than two hours), Tappahannock (35 minutes), and Williamsburg (an hour). Several wedding venues are located in King William County as well, including Seven Springs and Northpoint. Kings Dominion and the Virginia State Fairgrounds are about 20 minutes away.

What makes this property unique

The Retreat property is beautiful and very peaceful. It is a wonderful place for those looking for a country getaway, but is still located relatively close to more urban areas, such as Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Williamsburg.

Languages:

English

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Premier Host
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