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Historic Lexington Retreat - 5BR on Acres- Perfect for Families, Friends & Pets

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Bring your family and stay at beautiful Church Hill
Church Hill from the front
Exterior
Exterior
New walkway and gathering area added spring of 2018

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 13

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Lexington, VA
  • Place, Virginia Horse Center
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Virginia Military Institute
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Washington and Lee University
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Airport, Hot Springs, VA (HSP-Ingalls Field)
    ‪94 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Double Beds

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 5 "State room"

1 King Bed

Sun Porch

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Historic Lexington Retreat - 5BR on Acres- Perfect for Families, Friends & Pets

Church Hill – A Spacious, Historic, Pet-Friendly Retreat on Rolling Virginia Acreage

Big, Beautiful, Historic Home Perfect for Family & Friends!

Welcome to Church Hill, a remarkable 5-bedroom, 3-bath brick manor built in 1848, located on tranquil acreage just minutes from downtown Lexington, VA. This spacious and pet-friendly vacation rental in Lexington, VA has everything you need for relaxing gatherings, celebrations, and unforgettable getaways in the Shenandoah Valley.

Whether you're planning a family reunion, a friends’ weekend, a wedding-week stay, or a retreat to the mountains, Church Hill offers room to spread out both inside and out—perfect for groups who want comfort, charm, and convenience.

A Historic Home With Modern Comfort & Endless Space

Situated on the very birthplace of Texas legend Sam Houston, this home blends history, scenic beauty, and modern amenities. With multiple living areas, wide hallways, high ceilings, and large bedrooms, guests enjoy an airy, open feel throughout.

Church Hill at Timber Ridge is rich with American and cinematic history. Sam Houston—legend of the Republic of Texas—was born on this land in 1793. More than 200 years later, Hollywood came to the property when scenes from Gods & Generals were filmed here. During production, well-known actors including Stephen Lang and C. Thomas Howell were on site, making Church Hill part of both American and film heritage.”

Step outside and discover the sweeping acreage surrounding the home, ideal for kids to run, dogs to explore, and adults to unwind in complete privacy. Morning coffee on the porches, sunset views across the fields, and evening gatherings under the stars make this property truly special. New to the property is an enclosed building with big sliding barn doors, inside you will find ping pong, corn hole boards & bags and a TV for you to stream to.

If you’re visiting the Sam Houston Wayside, you’re only moments away—Church Hill is one of the closest and most convenient places to stay near this historic landmark.

The Perfect Base for Exploring Lexington, VA

Church Hill is just a short, scenic drive from:

Downtown Lexington, VA – shops, eateries, breweries, historic walking tours

Washington & Lee University

Virginia Military Institute (VMI)

The Virginia Horse Center

Natural Bridge State Park & Blue Ridge Parkway

Popular wedding venues throughout Rockbridge County

Beautiful mountain towns, hikes, and overlooks

Whether you're seeking historic home rentals in Virginia, a pet-friendly getaway near the Blue Ridge, or one of the most unique places to stay in the Shenandoah Valley, Church Hill is an ideal fit.

Pet-Friendly Comfort

We know pets are family—and at Church Hill, they're welcome!
With large, open grounds, plenty of indoor space, and dog-friendly activities nearby, your four-legged companions will love this stay as much as you do.

Looking for pet-friendly vacation rentals in Virginia or a dog-friendly Lexington VA stay? Church Hill checks every box.

Designed for Gathering

A large dining room perfect for shared meals

Multiple seating areas for lounging, games, or quiet conversation

Spacious bedrooms and charming décor

A historic atmosphere blended with comfort and warmth

Inside and out, there are endless places to gather, celebrate, reconnect—or simply relax.

Our Commitment to Your Stay

We want your experience at Church Hill to be seamless and memorable.
The owners and the Comfort Team are available by text or call before, during, and after your visit to ensure everything about your stay exceeds expectations.

Why Guests Love Church Hill

✓ Historic 1848 brick manor on scenic acreage
✓ One of the closest stays to the Sam Houston Wayside
✓ Minutes from downtown Lexington, VA
✓ Pet-friendly with room to roam
✓ Spacious layout ideal for groups
✓ Perfect for mountain getaways, events, and campus visits
✓ A true Virginia historic home rental experience
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 630747vb
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Fairfield

Located in Fairfield, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Lee Chapel and Museum and VMI Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Lexington Valley Vineyard and The Lexington Golf & Country Club. Travelling with kids? Consider Stonewall Jackson Grave and Lenfest Center for the Performing Arts. Discover the area's water adventures with rafting and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain climbing and hiking/biking trails.
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Map
Lexington, VA

What's nearby

  • Virginia Horse Center - 7 min drive - 10.6 km
  • Virginia Military Institute - 7 min drive - 10.6 km
  • Washington and Lee University - 8 min drive - 11.3 km
  • VMI Museum - 9 min drive - 12.0 km
  • Stonewall Jackson House - 10 min drive - 12.7 km

Getting around

  • Hot Springs, VA (HSP-Ingalls Field) - 87 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪7-Eleven - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Lexington Retreat - 5BR on Acres- Perfect for Families, Friends & Pets pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much does it cost to stay at Historic Lexington Retreat - 5BR on Acres- Perfect for Families, Friends & Pets?

As of 10 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Historic Lexington Retreat - 5BR on Acres- Perfect for Families, Friends & Pets on 9 Jul 2026 start from £433, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Historic Lexington Retreat - 5BR on Acres- Perfect for Families, Friends & Pets?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Historic Lexington Retreat - 5BR on Acres- Perfect for Families, Friends & Pets?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Lexington Retreat - 5BR on Acres- Perfect for Families, Friends & Pets?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Historic Lexington Retreat - 5BR on Acres- Perfect for Families, Friends & Pets located?

Located in the mountains, this family-friendly holiday home is within 9 mi (15 km) of George Washington National Forest, Stonewall Jackson Grave and Lenfest Center for the Performing Arts. Boxerwood Gardens and Alumni Memorial Field are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 36 out of 39 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 39 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 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

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christina W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We felt right at home.

Your Church Hill property was a superb location and setting for our family gathering and pre wedding celebration.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Edward F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Church Hill is a truly picturesque, meticulously preserved historic, peaceful and tranquil home! We had an amazing extended stay! From the start, the rental process, the check-in and everything else was just top notch. The owners are wonderful and were so responsive and informative it just made our stay that much better. Church Hill was so clean and so well stocked with everything you could possibly need. We throughly enjoyed learning about Sam Houston’s birthplace, and the six generations of the Thompson Family that have lived there. There is so much to do there on the property as well as the surrounding towns. We so enjoyed our time with our VMI Keydet, his friends and their families, and our family members that got a chance to visit and explore the beautiful area. Watching the sunrises and sunsets in Church Hill’s sunroom I will treasure and truly miss. This house is one-of-a-kind! We highly recommend visiting!!!
Stayed 61 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christina H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect stay

We couldn’t ask for a better stay. Melinda was wonderful to work with and easily accessible. We loved everything about the house. It was a perfect retreat for our Keydets to spend some down time relaxing with family.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic stay at Church Hill! Highky recommend!

Wonderful experience at Church Hill! It's charming and comfortable and exceeded all expectations! Lots of space, excellent attention to detail, all the supplies and kitchen equipment, comfy beds, lots of room to spread out, the 2 full baths and 2 falf baths worked great for our group Outstanding Hosts! We want to return! Hosts!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jay L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Graduation

We selected this property so our whole family could be together around the midpoint between JMU and Virginia Tech for our twins’ commencement ceremonies, and hosted a graduation party one night for friends and family. The property was a perfect venue, had everything we needed, and was beautiful. We couldn’t have selected a better property for our celebration and family vacation- also terrific for history buffs.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Theresa J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Little homey slice of heaven in the Shenandoah Valley

I am tempted to give them a bad review so we can have the place all to ourselves every time we want to go visit our daughter in college! this is a gem of a place. If you love history, old houses, and beautiful farm land, this is the place for you! We've already reserved for the Parent's weekend next year and hope to also have for Graduation!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Elizabeth W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

College Reunion

The house and grounds are really wonderful. The biggest drawback for us as a group of couples was the lack of full baths. Owners were terrific with communication on all fronts.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rachel M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious, Comfy, Convenient Step Back in Time

We had a great stay at Church Hill!! Our group of “barn friends” was in town for a show at the Virginia Horse Center. Church Hill was a perfect fit — spacious, good variety of bed arrangements and bathrooms to accommodate everyone. The house and grounds are beautiful, super convenient to the horse center, and everything was exactly as described and pictured. The kitchen was well equipped to cook and dine. Melinda and Mike were lovely to interact with and very responsive. We will be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anna T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Wonderful Home

Our family and friends enjoyed a long weekend in this beautiful home. Full of history and charm, it is comfortable and welcoming. Priceless pictures, books and beautifully worn thresholds are around every corner---if only this house could talk and tell it's stories!! We thoroughly enjoyed playing out back and hiking around the property with our kids and dogs. The sunroom was where we all naturally gravitated to hang out when we were inside. We would definitely love to visit again soon!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

VMI Homecoming trip

Great time for all at Church Hill visiting our cadet and friends! So much history and beautiful property.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patrick J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Groom’s family stay.

Very unique house and property. The house has so much history and the property is beautiful. It worked very well for our party of ten guests. Would definitely rent it again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Noah B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome place and host

Awesome property with an incredible history. Water pressure in the downstairs was kind of sluggish but to be expected for a very old place. Can easily get lost in all the history when staying there. Host was incredible and quick to answer all questions as well as great in recommending things to do
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christian B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house in the country near W&L

We stayed for our 30th reunion. The house/property is exceptional and was a great home base for the 8 of us and provided an awesome place to entertain a larger group. The property owners were super responsive and helpful. The only thing that one may consider is whether the bathroom set up (2 showers on the bottom floor, only a half bath upstairs) would create an issue for your group. We had no problem with it. Overall, loved this stay.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Judy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thanksgiving Covid Reunion

This was the perfect spot for us to all meet from MA, PA, and NC! There were 12 of us… ranging in age from 8 months to 76 years. The spacious house and grounds gave us ample room. The boys loved climbing the trees and running up the hill! The house was incredibly clean and well stocked.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

H M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

AMAZING STAY!!

We had the best time at Church Hill! We were in Lex for W&L Parents Weekend for your two daughters. The house and grounds were so beautiful The pictures do not do it justice! It was clean, easy to find, and a very easy drive to and from campus. Melinda was so responsive and was sweet enough to grant us a later check out to have a little more QT with our girls. We already booked again for next year. What a gem!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Caroline L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful historical home

This home was a delight to stay in! The beds were very comfortable and there was plenty of room for our family to spread out. One can spend endless hours viewing old photographs and trinkets around the house. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Don W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Truly great weekend

The entire rental process from start to finish was efficient and welcoming. The history of the property is fascinating and the property is very accommodating.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tammy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Hictoric House

We had a great time. My family came to Lexington to attend our son's matriculation at VMI. The house is close to restaurants, Walmart, and grocery stores. The place is beautiful with a huge backyard. The kitchen is functional and has a plentiful supply of trash bags, dish soap, dishwasher detergent. The bathrooms have plenty of towels and toilet paper. However, I wish the drain in the bathtub drained faster. We enjoyed the fire pit very much, not to worry about running out of woods. In addition, the picnic area is terrific. Overall is a great place to spend time with family and friends. I highly recommended it. Thank you, Mike and Linda.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Larry L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

History, charm, and a big yard

We had a great family reunion at Church Hill. We loved the charm of the old house, the historic decor, the spacious dining room table, large yard, outdoor picnic tables, and maybe best of all for the kids, the dinner bell! The house felt bigger and even nicer than we expected based on the photos, and the hosts were easy to communicate with. A few things to know: the bathrooms are pretty inconvenient - two of the bedrooms have their own bathroom (one is a full bath, one is a half bath). But the other three bedrooms don’t, so the rest of us had to share one bathroom that was downstairs at the other end of the house from the bedrooms. The kitchen is functional but not especially well equipped if you’re doing a lot of cooking. The lawn was more than spacious enough for our kids and dogs to run around, but there were ticks in the grassy areas beyond the lawn.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful family reunion in this beautiful historic home!

This was a wonderful gathering place for 12 members of my family from all parts of the eastern U.S., and ranging from ages 2 to 80. The property was gorgeous - beautiful historic home, lovely, rolling hillside property with a fruit orchard in the back, picnic tables for gathering outdoors, and quiet rural setting overall. Our hosts were "the best of the best" - so communicative and friendly. We felt truly welcomed!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Juan A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing Stay at Church Hill

The family enjoyed our stay at Church Hill! We felt at home in this wonderful and historical home and wish to once again visit!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shelly E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sam Houston got around

The online pictures of the Manor do not do it justice. The house and grounds are immaculate, and close to all our activities in Lexington. We loved all the pictures and history displayed throughout. Everyone was very impressed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jatinder C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

FMily reunion

It was great weekend with family reunion. We enjoyed our stay
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Jul 2021
Thank you Jatinder for choosing Church Hill! It was a pleasure to have you and your family and we would welcome you back anytime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Clarke M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Historical

What a wonderful stay at Church Hill we had last weekend. Mike and Melinda were so helpful, and the home was cozy, historical, and welcoming. The property is wonderful, and both dogs thought so too!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Historic Home

This place is amazing, and the family that owns it is wonderful to deal with. So much history in every room. And the yard and acreage is beautiful. We had two families in our group, one with 2 kids and one with 3 kids, and we had plenty of room. There are two King rooms, a Queen room, a Twin/Full room, and a double Twin room. There's also a pullout couch in the family room if you need it, but we didn't. And room for Aerobeds if you bring one or two along. It is indeed a historic home, so it comes with the quirks that homes built before electricity and plumbing are bound to have. I consider that a benefit, not a drawback. You can easily spend an hour just looking at all of the historic photos around the house. All the beds are newer mattresses and very comfortable. Plenty of linens. And, as I said, Melinda Thompson is a delight to speak to, and helped us out with local recommendations and advice on the area, Natural Bridge is 20 minutes away. VMI/W&L/downtown Lexington is 10 minutes away. This place is centrally located to see all of the nearby sights. We will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2021

About the host

Hosted by Mike Thompson

Host profile image
Church Hill is our child hood home and has been in our family since 1848. We remember growing up there when people would come from all around the country just to take pictures of the home and property as it is the birthplace of Sam Houston. We are pleased to be able to share it and give others the pleasure of gathering with their family and friends in such a wonderful setting.

Why they chose this property

Church Hill is a grand historical home regardless of what part of the United States our guests come from and anyone who visits will appreciate that. But with so much room to spread out inside and outside, you don't need to be a history buff to enjoy this home.

What makes this property unique

Large rooms, Tons of room outside for parking and roaming around and spending time with family and friends. Lots of places to sit and talk and gather inside and outside of the house. Clean, comfortable, and grand! If you are in town for a W & L or VMI function or get together, you owe it to yourself to stay here and see Church Hill for yourself. Your guests will say "Wow".
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