House

History, Art, Nature. Built in 1760, 110 Acres of Ancient Woodland Preserve

History, Art, Nature. Built in 1760, 110 Acres of Ancient Woodland Preserve

Photo gallery for History, Art, Nature. Built in 1760, 110 Acres of Ancient Woodland Preserve

Three old Chimneys
Welcome to Lightwood
Lightwood House in the spring
Living Room, Circa 1795
Front Driveway and Gate

Overview of History, Art, Nature. Built in 1760, 110 Acres of Ancient Woodland Preserve

10 out of 10 Exceptional
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 102400 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Hot Tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Surry, VA
  • Popular LocationSmith's Fort3 min drive
  • Popular LocationChippokes Plantation State Park13 min drive
  • AirportNewport News, VA (PHF-Newport News - Williamsburg Intl.)57 min drive

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 5

2 Twin Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

History, Art, Nature. Built in 1760, 110 Acres of Ancient Woodland Preserve

Williamsburg Area; Surry, Virginia.

Visit our website for more photos and information. www.lightwoodhouse.com

LIGHTWOOD HOUSE IS AN 18TH-CENTURY HOME nestled in Lightwood Forest, a magnificent old-growth beech forest in rural Surry County. A Virginia woodland and wildlife preserve, near Williamsburg, Lightwood is one of America's most beautiful and unique historic vacation rentals. The estate comprises over 110 acres of woods, meadows and streams, and is part of the land given by Chief Powhatan to Pocahontas and John Rolfe as a wedding gift. Many of the old trees in the 110 acre Lightwood Forest are over 200 years old.

Lightwood House was the center of a small farm and the home of a Revolutionary War soldier and his family. The family were early southern abolitionists, undoubtedly influenced by their many Quaker neighbors and the Quaker meeting house nearby.
Surry County had the largest population of free black families in the United States before the Civil War, and the Lightwood Forest property was owned by Mr. Prince, a free African American and his family, in the 19th century. Built in four different periods circa 1760 to 1795, Lightwood House is completely restored and features exceptional detailed woodwork and authentic furnishings, yet also offers all modern conveniences, including air conditioning, jetted tub, laundry facilities, TV and WIFI.

Children love Lightwood House with its many nooks and crannies to explore. While the house has many fine antiques, the furniture is sturdy and we have never had a problem with damage by enthusiastic little ones. Many pieces in the house have been around children and pets for centuries, and another century or two won't matter.
We have recently added many antiques and artworks to the house, some dating as far back as the 16th century, including two magnificent carved greate chairs, circa 1620, suitable for visiting lords and ladies.

The drive from the house is 10 miles to Williamsburg and 4 miles to Jamestown, and includes a beautiful, free, 20-minute car ferry ride past Jamestown Island, docking next to the 17th-century replica ships at Jamestown.

LOCATION AND FERRY TO WILLIAMSBURG/JAMESTOWN:
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.

BEDROOM ARRANGEMENTS:
The house has five bedrooms and two large bathrooms (the downstairs bathroom features a marble walk-in shower and six-foot whirlpool bathtub), a living room, dining room that seats up to ten 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 are two large bedrooms, each with a queen-size canopy bed; one double bed in a small room; and two single beds in an attic room adjoining one of the queen bedrooms. In order to get to the upstairs bathroom from the attic room, one needs to go through the the queen bedroom. These two bedrooms can serve as a family suite. Downstairs there is a small bedroom with a double bed. The bed is against the wall, so it can be difficult for the "outside" person to get out over the "inside" person in the middle of the night. There are two large bathrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. The upstairs bath has a tub/shower arrangement, and the downstairs bathroom has a six-foot jetted tub and a separate walk-in shower. Stairs throughout the house are steep. Each bedroom has a chest of drawers; the Blue bedroom has a large wardrobe; and a small closet is located just outside the Attic bedroom.

The rest of the house is large enough to spread out in, with a large entrance hall, spacious dining room and comfortable living room. The front and back yards are fenced in. More than 100 acres of forest, meadows and streams are available to explore from over two miles of hiking trails.

The house is furnished with antiques from the sixteenth-, 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 nature trails meander through the woods and meadows of Lightwood Forest 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.
Our mission is to provide a memorable and enjoyable vacation experience, and to enhance an interest in history, and environmental preservation looking towards the future.

TREASURE HUNT IN LIGHTWOOD FOREST! (January-December, $325.) Recommended for children ages eight and under and for adults who are still young at heart! Go on a woodland hunt for Fairy Treasure hidden centuries ago in the ancient forest. A secret treasure map found in the house will give cryptic clues to the location of the magical fairy hoard. A fine wooden chest, brimming with costume jewelry and other baubles, can be taken home to be enjoyed forever. The treasure hunt ties into the story of how adventurous Scottish fairies came to Lightwood in the 1730s. The "Faeries of Lightwood and Doon Hill" story can be found on the Lightwood House website. www.lightwoodhouse.com

WEDDINGS:
Outdoor/indoor wedding, 100-guest maximum, with overnight stays for up to ten; one day, two day, or three day packages available. Prices start at $4,950. Includes entire estate and wedding ceremony area and space for up to a 40 x 80 tent. Please see our website for more details.
www.lightwoodhouse.com

AREA ATTRACTIONS:
The historic museums of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestowne, and the American Revolutionary Museum at Yorktown are only a short drive and free 24-hour, 20-minute car ferry ride away. All four of these national and international 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. Additionally, many important historic Civil War sites are within an hour's drive of Lightwood Forest in the Richmond/Petersburg area.

Pristine riverfront beaches can be found in Surry at Chippokes State Park, at Jamestown on the James River, and at Yorktown on the York River. Virginia Beach 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 , the site of Captain John Smith's fort of 1609 as well as a lovely 1760s brick house; and Chippokes State Park, with historic buildings, Olympic-sized pool, and riverfront beach. Boat rentals are available at the beautiful and unspoiled 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 Estate, open to the public, are an easy 45-minute drive and can be found along Historic Route 5, which meanders through Charles City County. Richmond is over an hour's drive, and Washington D.C., can be reached in around three hours (depending on NOVA/I-95 traffic conditions).

Keywords: House/Estate, family friendly, child friendly, pet friendly, historic, elegant, unique, woodland, forest, picturesque, intimate, private, secluded, hotel alternative, motel alternative, weddings, treasure hunts, adventure, fairies, enchanted, magical.

*For parties close to or at our maximum of 10 guests, please see the bedroom arrangements to make sure they will work for you.
Please note that we do not host parties or events through VRBO and abide by a ten guest maximum. This is to ensure the comfort and safety of our guests as well as to preserve this unique and beautiful historic house for years to come.

Property manager

Cliff and Joy Williams
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Hot Tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet friendly
Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Children's toys, swings, sandbox and play tower

Events

No events allowed
Events are allowed only with separate agreement

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Maximum of two dogs.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No candles in house.
No smoking or open flame such as candles inside dwelling or outside on porches. Smoking allowed outside in bricked-in patio areas.
No pets on furniture and beds. Excess pet hair on rugs must be vacuumed before departure. Please do not wipe down pets with house towels.
Please return both outdoor and indoor furniture as well as children's toys to their original locations.

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: Events are allowed only with separate agreement
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, 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

Spring Grove

Located in Spring Grove, this vacation home is in a rural area and near theme parks. Merchants Square and Williamsburg Farmers Market are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Colonial National Historical Park and Chippokes Plantation State Park. Traveling with kids? Consider Busch Gardens Williamsburg, or check out an event or a game at Kaplan Arena. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Smith's Fort - 3 min drive
  • Chippokes Plantation State Park - 13 min drive

Getting around

  • Williamsburg Transportation Center - 38 min drive
  • Newport News - Williamsburg Intl. Airport (PHF) - 56 min drive

Restaurants

  • Hampton Roads Winery - 13 min drive
  • Anna's Pizza & Italian Restaurant - 3 min drive
  • Billsburg Brewery - 35 min drive
  • The Surry Seafood - 6 min drive
  • Edwards Virginia Ham Shoppe - 4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is History, Art, Nature. Built in 1760, 110 Acres of Ancient Woodland Preserve pet-friendly?

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

What time is check-in at History, Art, Nature. Built in 1760, 110 Acres of Ancient Woodland Preserve?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at History, Art, Nature. Built in 1760, 110 Acres of Ancient Woodland Preserve?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is History, Art, Nature. Built in 1760, 110 Acres of Ancient Woodland Preserve located?

This family-friendly Spring Grove vacation home is located in a rural location, 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Smith's Fort, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Jamestown Beach and Eco Discovery Park. Jamestown Settlement and Colonial National Historical Park are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 115 out of 116 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 116 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 116 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 116 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 116 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Rachel K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy and relaxing
We love staying at Lightwood Forest! This was our second time enjoying a getaway there together with my brother's family, and it was even more lovely than our first one. The owner, Cliff, welcomed us to the house personally, and had spent all day setting up a beautiful Christmas tree and other decorations. He also came back one morning after I texted him to ask for advice about a gas fireplace that I couldn't figure out how to light. This house is an absolute dream come true if you want to spend time with family or friends, but have some spaces where you can be alone or in smaller groups from time to time and not always be all on top of each other. And the extensive grounds are perfect for rambling, wandering, hiking, strolling, and exploring -- as long as everyone knows what poison ivy looks like and how to avoid it! Which, happily, we all do. I think we will be staying at Lightwood Forest again next fall/winter, if at all possible.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joyce S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lightwood Forest
The house and property were beautiful. There was plenty of room for 10 people, and although the steps to the upstairs bedrooms were steep, there was a downstairs bedroom and bathroom if you couldn’t negotiate the stairs. The kitchen had everything we needed. The house was very close to the ferry across the James River to get to Jamestown and Williamsburg, and the ferry was free!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Landon A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
An Enchanting Stay at Lightwood
My family and I enjoyed a wonderful multi night stay over Fourth of July week. Cliff and Joy were the perfect hosts ensuring that everything was as smooth as possible. Lightwood is enchanting not just for children, but also for adults. It truly transported us away from the cares and worries of the world to a place where we could just focus on eachother. Thank you Cliff and Joy for sharing this amazing place with us! We definitely plan to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

DANIEL M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lightwood Forest is like a Museum
When you walk into the home at Lightwood Forest, it will feel like your walking into one of the homes on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg. Exceptional old world charm. It's like a museum in this place. Very quiet and peaceful. If you're tall though, watch your head. Loved taking the ferry across the James River.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Denise C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fasinating house
We loved staying here. We enjoyed doing the puzzzles, reading a good selection of books, and looking at all the historical antiques. The beds were comfortable, the kitchen well stocked, and the grounds lovely. It fit right into the history we were wanting to learn about in this area. Would definitely recommend it.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

About the host

Hosted by Cliff and Joy Williams

Host profile image
Lightwood Forest is owned by Cliff and Joy Williams. Cliff began restoring the house in 1978 and its restoration has been a labor of love ever since. We are pleased to share this beautiful and beloved property with guests from around the world.

Why they chose this property

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 ten years had made considerable progress. However, it has been Joy's influence that has truly civilized the old place and turned it into the gem 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 American history. With Williamsburg nearby, it seemed appealing that an eighteenth-century house could be enjoyed by guests as a home base from which to discover Virginia's historic sites.

What makes this property unique

Staying at Lightwood Forest is truly a unique and extraordinary experience and visiting the property can be a vacation in itself. Only a few places exist 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 House, and stepping into the entrance hall is like traveling back in time to the early days of our nation. It can feel like a great English country house in miniature (after all, we only have five bedrooms, not fifty!) And although the feel of history is everywhere at Lightwood, all modern conveniences expected in the twenty-first century are provided, including broadband WIFI, cable TV, whirlpool tub, laundry facilities, air-conditioning and working fireplaces with very realistic gas logs. 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, Busch Gardens, and Yorktown from the comfort and luxury of their own eighteenth-century home.

Languages:

English

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