Country Farmhouse Getaway
About the property
- Farmhouse
- Bedrooms4
- Sleeps10
- Bathrooms2
- Half Baths0
- Minimum Stay2 nights
Vintage Country Farmhouse With Modern Comfort
Enjoy the charm of a country farmhouse in the Bullpasture Valley, where a taste of the country life is right outside your door. Depending on the season, experience making hay, pressing apple cider, harvesting vegetables, gathering eggs, or making maple syrup. The Bullpasture River offers catch and release fishing for rainbow trout, brook trout and smallmouth bass, wading, swimming, and other outdoor fun.
Vance's Country Guest House is cozy enough for two and spacious enough to sleep nine. Amenities include a full kitchen, dining room, living room, two full baths (one with jetted tub), propane heat, ceiling fans, and screened porches.
Owner
Nancy & Robin Vance
- Response rate:
- 100%
- Response time:
- within a few hours
- Speaks:
- English
- Calendar last updated:
- May 23, 2018
About Nancy & Robin Vance
Nancy and Robin Vance will make you feel right at home at Vance's Country Guest House. Robin has lived on the Bullpasture River all his life and is a wellspring of information on local history. Nancy grew up in Union, WV, graduated from Concord College in Athens, and came to Highland County in 1982 for her first job as an elementary school librarian. Thirty years later, in 2012, she retired from that same job! Nancy and Robin thrive on the country life. They raise a garden every summer, and when February rolls around you'll find them busy tapping trees and making pure and delicious maple syrup. They live only two miles from Vance's Country Guest House.
Nancy & Robin Vance purchased this Farmhouse in 2004
Why Nancy & Robin Vance chose McDowell
Robin's great-grandfather built this house in 1885, and his father was born and grew up here. Nancy & Robin acquired the property from Robin's aunt and uncle in 2004 to keep the farm in the family and preserve its rural setting. They began work on the house in 2010 with a dual goal of restoration to preserve the historic integrity of the structure and renovation to provide modern comfort and convenience. Now, with renovations complete, folks can once again experience the peace and contentment of a country home.
What makes this Farmhouse unique
Vance's Country Guest House is furnished with a comfortable mix of newer pieces and antiques, many of which have been in use here for generations. Beautiful views surround the house, and on a clear night, the stars provide quite a show without interference from city lights.
Amenities
- Accessible
- Heater
- Kids Welcome
- Washer & Dryer
- Parking
- No Smoking
Bedrooms
- 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 10
- Parlor Bedroom, First Floor1 queen, Ceiling Fan & Propane Heating Stove
- Grandmommy's Room, 2nd Floor1 double, 1 baby crib, Ceiling Fan & Baseboard Electric Heat
- Lohr's Room, 2nd floor2 double, Ceiling fan and Baseboard Electric Heat
- Helen's Room, 2nd Floor1 twin/ single, Ceiling Fan & Baseboard Electric Heat
- All linens and bedding are provided. A crib is available for the comfort of our youngest guests (and their parents!).
Bathrooms
- 2 Bathrooms
- Downstairs Bathtoilet, combination tub/shower, Towels provided.
- Upstairs Bathtoilet, combination tub/shower, jetted tub, Towels provided.
- Electric heat keeps the bathrooms cozy in cool weather. Blow dryer available.
Location Type
- RuralVance's Country Guest House is situated on a country farm with access to the Bullpasture River, hiking, fishing, and other country fun.
- Mountain ViewBeautiful views from every window! Walk the property and surrounding areas for scenic vistas.
Theme
- Romantic
- Family
- Away From It All
- Historic
Meals
- Guests provide their own meals
General
- TelephoneThere is no cell phone service in this area. We have a land line phone with free, unlimited local and toll-free calls.
- HeatingPropane gas stoves on first floor. All three of these stoves have glass doors that provide full view of the flames. Electric baseboards on second floor.
- Linens ProvidedSheets, blankets, and pillows are provided.
- Washing MachineGuests are welcome to use the front-load washer and dryer.
- Clothes Dryer
- ParkingGravel parking area for two vehicles; more parking available in farm field.
- Towels Provided
- Iron & Board
- Hair Dryer
- Living RoomCozy room with sofa, chair, old-fashioned radio, and books.
Kitchen
- RefrigeratorFull-size with freezer.
- StoveGas
- OvenGas
- Microwave
- Coffee Maker
- Toaster
- Dishes & Utensils
- KitchenA full country kitchen, complete with dishes, utensils, cookware, and bakeware.
Dining
- Dining Area
- Child's Highchair
- Dining
- comfy seating for 8 people
Entertainment
- BooksA nice selection of fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and magazines is ready for your reading pleasure.
- GamesBoard and card games for old-fashioned fun, including Yatzee, Uno, Pente, and more. Lots of jigsaw puzzles for all ages.
- ToysJigsaw puzzles for all ages provide hours of entertainment.
Outside
- Lawn / GardenScreened porches are great for relaxing. Gather fresh vegetables for your meals from our garden. Don't forget wading, swimming, and/or fishing in the river, plus all-around outdoor fun on the farm.
- BalconyThe house has a second-floor porch on the front, which provides beautiful views. It's a great place to sip your morning coffee, enjoy pretty sunsets, or stargaze.
- Outdoor GrillCharcoal grill available.
Suitability
- wheelchair accessibleInside, doors are wide enough for wheelchair access to the kitchen, dining room, and bathroom. Although there is no ramp, a wheelchair can enter the house by way of the side porch.
Attractions
- churches
- library
- museums
- restaurants
- health/beauty spa
- festivals
Leisure Activities
- walking
- horseback riding
- bird watching
- scenic drives
- wildlife viewing
- photography
Local Services & Businesses
- ATM/bank
- groceries
- massage therapist
- medical services
Sports & Adventure Activities
- swimming
- cycling
- fishing
- hunting
- fly fishing
- freshwater fishing
- hiking
- spelunking
Notes
- Guests can enjoy a variety of country fun, including stargazing, fishing, wading, & swimming in the river, hiking, bird watching, gathering eggs, and seasonal activities like the vegetable garden pressing cider, making hay, and making maple syrup. Hiking trails on the farm provide hours of great time outdoors.
House Rules
Check-in: 12:00 AM
Check-out: 4:00 PM
Cancellation Policy
100% refund if canceled at least 14 days before arrival date. 50% refund if canceled at least 7 days before arrival date. You must contact the owner directly to request cancellation.
26 Reviews
Latest reviews
Welcome Home
We loved every minute of our visit! Robin and Nancy are wonderful, thoughtful, and friendly hosts. The farmhouse has been lovingly restored and updated while retaining much of the original character and woodwork! The interior decor is a delightful blend of original and modern farmhouse that is very welcoming. We loved seeing the photos of past generations and reading about the family in the Welcome Binder which gives you a real sense of connection with past and present.
The kids (and adults) were thrilled to be able to gather eggs, milk cows, feed horses, and even see the birth of a baby calf which they named Belle. Nancy and Robin even gave us the eggs gathered and fresh milk after arriving and before leaving! Both were superb!
The one thing the Farmhouse does not have is cell service/internet connection. This was a blessing in disguise!! It allowed us to disconnect from constant interruptions, enjoy the surroundings. and each others company.
We gained not only a sense of peace and calm, but new friends in Nancy and Robin and loved every conversation with them! The kids are already asking to return and we most certainly will be back!!
Really nice house
This house has a lot of space for 8 people. Nancy was a top host by leaving us home-made treats. Totally recommended :)
Plenty of space and nice place
The guests were impressed.
Perfect, Beautiful Place to Unplug, Connect with Family and Nature, and Relax and Enjoy Farm Life!
This was my second time staying in the Country Guest House, and it certainly will NOT be my last! After escaping to the Guest House last month for a ladies' weekend, I brought my family back to disconnect and reconnect all at once. The Country Farmhouse Getaway is the absolute most perfect place to unplug from the stresses of life, slow down, and remember what is most important.
The hosts are the most gracious, kind, hospitable, and welcoming people. What a blessing that they have opened their historic family home and farm, both rich in generations of memories, for others to enjoy. They are lovingly generous, sharing the fruits of their hard labors with their guests! It really takes me back to such warm memories from my childhood, visiting my grandparents' home in Missouri. You can do as much or as little as you like, but my young kiddos absolutely LOVED having an opportunity to help take care of animals on the farm! We fed chickens, cows, and horses; we milked a cow and were gifted the delicious fresh milk to drink; we gathered fresh eggs from the chickens and had them for breakfast. Our children loved the responsibility and connected with nature, animals, and came away with a true, fresh appreciation for where their food comes from and the hard work that goes into getting wholesome food to their table.
The house itself is gorgeous and rich with history. It's clear so much loving care and thought was put into each room, preserving the character of the home and the life it nurtured inside of it. We absolutely LOVED that there was no television or Wi-Fi or cell service. It was the perfect opportunity to re-connect with each other, take in the beauty of the fall colors adorning the breath taking mountain views, and enjoy and appreciate all of God's creatures. We spent time around the fire, did puzzles, played games, and tuned into the antique radio.
We highly recommend this getaway for anyone who loves their loved ones, loves nature, loves animals, and wants to disconnect with the stresses and interference of everyday life and reconnect with what is most important. We will be back! Thank you so much for an amazing weekend.
A walk down memory lane.
My sisters and I brought my mom to McDowell to go back to the campground (Peaceful River Campground) that we all grew up enjoying during our childhood. Staying at the farmhouse turned out to be one of the best decisions. We all got a look at life on the farm. My sisters milked cows and gathered eggs. We all penned up the chickens and enjoyed the experience. It took their dogs 5 minutes to do and it took us 2 hours but what a hoot. I have to say Nancy and Robin are wonderful hosts and anyone that wants a great vacation without interference from TV or cellphones this is for you and your family. Rose, Debby, Judy and Terry.
Beautiful home!Beautiful setting!
We spent a girls’ weekend at Vance’s Country Guest House and loved it. So relaxing. Robin & Nancy couldn’t have been better hosts...showing us around the house & Farm, teaching us how to milk, and even sending us home eggs, milk, and garden veggies. McDowell and Monterey are also adorable small towns with great offerings, as well. Try Big Fish Cider! Will definitely come back!
Location
McDowell is located in eastern Highland County, in the western highlands of Virginia. Vance's Country Guest House is just two miles south of McDowell, a rural mountain community. A pristine Civil War battlefield is just east of the village, where Confederate and Union soldier clashed in May 1862. The Highland County Museum, also in McDowell, is a destination for genealogy and local history research. The Highland Wildlife Management area is two miles from Vance's Country Guest House, where hiking and hunting are available to the public. Fishing is also an area attraction in clean mountain streams. In Monterey, 12 miles west of McDowell, visitors will find shops, two restaurants, a swimming pool, and a weekly Farmer's Market during the summer. Regionally, skiing, snow tubing, and summer activities are available at Snowshoe Resort in Pocahontas County, WV, along with Cass Scenic Railroad and the Green Bank Observatory. Bath County, VA, to the south, boasts The Homestead Resort where skiing, golf, and other resort activities are available. To the east, the historic city of Staunton, VA is less than an hour away.
Rates & Availability
Additional information about rental rates
Until confirmed through a rental lease, rates are subject to change without notice. Email or call for more information. Because not all our guests use HomeAway/VRBO, be sure to check the availability calendar on our official website to make sure the dates you want are open.