Entire home

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

Interior
Outdoor dining
Exterior
Property grounds
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10223 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot Tub
  • Pet friendly
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

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 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 nineteenth 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 seventeenthth-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, $395.) 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, 150-guest maximum, with overnight stays for up to ten; one- day, two-day, or three-day packages available. Prices from $4,500-$6500. 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

Languages

English

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Blender
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided
  • Soap

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Dining room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • DVD player
  • Video library
  • Books
  • Stereo
  • Games
  • Music library

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Fenced yard
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Laundry facilities

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 total pets
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • 5 stairs to reach property
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: No candles in house.

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near outlet shopping
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Water park
  • Golfing on site
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Winery tours nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Theme parks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Unit size: 2400 sq ft (223 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: Maximum of two dogs.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Children's toys, swings, sandbox and play tower

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
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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

1760s Colonial Estate 100 Acres 1 Highest Guest Rated Virginia
Travel in Time! 1760s Estate in 110 Acres of Ancient Forest
Lightwood Forest Private Estate in 110 Acres of Ancient Woodland

About the neighborhood

Map
Surry, VA

What's nearby

  • Jamestown Beach - 27 min drive - 11.1 km
  • College of William and Mary - 41 min drive - 18.0 km
  • Busch Gardens Williamsburg - 49 min drive - 27.8 km
  • Jamestown Settlement - 51 min drive - 12.4 km
  • Historic Jamestowne - 54 min drive - 14.2 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Billsburg Brewery - ‬35 min drive
  • ‪The Surry Seafood Co. - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Hampton Roads Winery - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Edwards Virginia Ham Shoppe - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Anna's Pizza & Italian Restaurant - ‬3 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 Jamestown Settlement. Eco Discovery Park and Historic Jamestowne are also within 9 mi (15 km).

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

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 128 out of 129 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 129 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 129 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 129 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 129 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tara H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stay in the past
We had an amazing time at this property! Cliff is very responsive and a great host. The kids loved being able to “stay in the past” but have modern day amenities (I.e. A/C, and running water!). Staying here created an immersive experience added on when not in Colonial Williamsburg. We would definitely return.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen C.

great colonial home
got an amazing sense of history staying in his remarkable home. convenient to areas in the historical triangle
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Patrick C., Rougemont, NC

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay
Consistent with other reviews, we had a wonderful stay at Lightwood. The home is clean and safe, with a beautiful property to explore. Our daughters loved exploring the home, playground and woods. We hope to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Harley K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
If you are lucky enough to get a chance to rent it, do,so
What a wonderful place to stay. A really great house that makes you feel a part of colonial history surrounded by a beautiful forest, English garden and a fun hiking trail from the front door. Cliff and Joy couldn't have been more gracious. Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown , Yorktown and the historic plantations are a short drive and ferry away. This is a amazing house a very unique stay
Stayed 28 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Margie P.

The Lighthouse is perfect!
We loved our visit! It has something for everyone! It has history, modern convenience & peace & quiet. My hubby and I felt like we were on a colonial history retreat!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Melanie S.

Our new place to stay when visiting Williamsburg.
This place was perfect for us! I selfishly want to keep it a secret so that it is available for our next visit. :)
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2017

8/10 Good

Cynthia F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved it!
What an amazing house! It was a very different vacation, but one of the best! We made great memories here 💙
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Denise C., Ridgefield, WA

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

10/10 Excellent

Natosha S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Back in time
This place was amazing!! Being history buffs, this property offered us to live back in time with the comfort of modern advances! We had such a good time! Jamestown and Williamsburg very close. Just a ferry ride away!we will definitely be coming back to this property!!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

jenny a.

Wonderful
Great step back in time with modern convenience.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Barbara W., Springfield, Virginia, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spring fling
Delightful way to experience historical setting. Quiet, peaceful and wonderful outdoor space where children (&adults too) could be boisterous without worry of disturbing neighbors. The entire house beautifully furnished with wonderful nooks and crannies to explore. Kitchen was well equipped too.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 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., Schwenksville, PA

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

Stephen p.

Perfect**
This property was by far one of the best if not THE BEST place we have stayed so far! The history is amazing and you can feel it the minute you drive through the Brick pillars down the private driveway to the house. The large fire pit is a perfect place to relax and roast Smores. The private hiking trail was so serene and the stream was beautiful. The trail is perfect for a morning hike. We highly recommend this property for anyone that enjoys history and privacy.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

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
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Patty D.

Guestbook Comment
Wow, what a fantastic 3 nights we had in Surry! The house was an absolute delight for the entire family (we had 6 - 2 kids, 2 parents, 2 grandparents). We hated to leave each day to sight-see. The location was perfect - an easy drive to everything in the area. Cliff was the perfect host - he went out of his way to make us feel welcome, and helped us find an excellent mechanic when we had unexpected car trouble. Don't even think about coming to the Williamsburg area if you can't stay at this wonderful old house!!!!

10/10 Excellent

Veronica E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful
Cliff and Joy, thank you for opening your beautiful home to our family. The enchanting grounds are charming and the home was perfect for our family get together. The property was 3 mins from the ferry which ran exactly on schedule! Annie’s Italian restaurant in Surrey was delicious! Our dog Sir Oswald was at home and pleased with his fenced in yard & warm abode. We couldn’t have asked for a more delightful experience. Next time we visit we hope to spend more time in Old Williamsburg. See you again soon !!🥰🐾🐾 Thank you !!♥️♥️
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Catherine F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing family Christmas
We booked our family (all young adults) Christmas holiday to enjoy each other’s company and Colonial Williamsburg. It was centrally located for all traveling in from various states. The experience far exceeded our expectations. The property was exceptional. We all felt like we were “home” and were all so comfortable with the accommodations. Everything we needed was provided for and the setting was the perfect backdrop for a wonderful Christmas experience. We enjoyed a long hike on the property and encountered some interesting faerie happenings that gave way to lots of fun conversation. Our hosts were terrific and we are happy to stayed at a place that created long lasting family memories. Merry Christmas !
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christine R.

Breathtaking
I can not possible say enough nice things about this home. We had 7 people in our family and ages ranging from 12 to 65. There was plenty of space for everyone and the grounds are amazing to explore. Cliff is the most accommodating host ever and will do whatever it takes to make your stay amazing. It was great to be able to explore the history of the area and then stay in a home that was built during that era....in the words of my 12 year old son "it made the history come alive". The house is just a short ferry ride away from all the local attractions but far enough out of the city that you can sit outside and drink your morning coffee and enjoy nature. I really hope to be able to return one day and enjoy this home all over again.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H., Boston

Perfect for a Family gathering
Five of us stayed overnight, and 8 more came for the day to celebrate a family member's 90th birthday. The house was perfect for our group..full kitchen for cooking, a large dining room table we could all fit around, and a lovely living room to just sit and visit. Although it was a bit hot and humid for outdoor living later in the day, we enjoyed the patio for morning breakfasts, and the central air conditioning was fully adequate for the whole house when the temperature hit 90 outdoors! While the house is in a lovely rural area, Williamsburg is just a short (and free) car ferry ride away...about 45 minutes from house to the 'other side' of the James river. Host(s) were available if needed, but we had everything we needed! Thanks!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Kim B.

A fabulous house with lots of character
Our stay couldn't have been better. We had a full house of 10 people with ages from 10 to 63. There was plenty of room to all be together or to be in smaller groups. The outside area around the house was a favorite relaxing spot and the Virginia summer weather cooperated! Each day we rode the ferry to "the other side" of the river to enjoy all that Williamsburg has to offer - something for everybody. I was concerned that the ferry might be a problem - but it was relaxing and fun. The house itself had fun nooks and crannies to investigate and was beautifully furnished - but we never felt like we were in a museum. It was homey! Cliff was SUPER - we couldn't have had a more accomodating "short-term landlord"!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Rachel K., Virginia

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

Sandra D., West Middletown, Pa

A vacation to the past.
Wow!!! When we first entered the gate at Lightwood we knew we had traveled back in time. This amazingly beautiful home is filled with antiques and yet it did not feel like a museum, but a very warm and welcoming home. It has the right mix of treasures from another time and modern conveniences. It is situated on a hundred acre piece of forested property. At Lightwood, we felt like we were in a storybook forest.....it's that beautiful. We had five beautiful days. We enjoyed siting on the patio, hiking the trails, sharing meals, warming ourselves by the fireplaces, and sharing time with loved ones. Our beds were comfortable and sleep was deep. The only noise at night is the gentle rustling of the leaves. During the day the only sound is the birds singing. And.....Lightwood is just a few short miles to Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown and beautiful historical plantations. We loved this home and we hope to visit again. Steve and Sandy Dunlap, West Middletown, PA
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2018

10/10 Excellent

Laurie M.

Unforgettable Lightwood!
We recently spent a vacation at Lightwood with three generations of our family. As a history buff, I knew I would I would love it, but I wasn’t sure how it would work out with the grandkids ages 8, 7, 6, 4 and 1 year. Lightwood turned out to be perfect for them. The children loved the fairy story, and we spent hours walking in our own personal forest discovering turtles, trees, deer, and butterflies. On our last day, we hiked out to the fairy tree to hang our wishes. We roasted marshmallows in the fire pit and discovered night frogs that sounded like sheep! The house itself is a treasure! You feel like you are living in the past, but with all the modern conveniences. We all agreed that one of the highlights of our stay was being able to all eat together at the massive dining room table. It was so nice to be away from the busy tourist area, yet have easy access to Jamestown and it’s beautiful beach via the ferry. We picked blueberries and had amazing homemade ice cream at College Run Farms and also picked up fresh eggs nearby. I cannot speak highly enough of Lightwood!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Denise D., New Jersey

AMAZING !!!
What a beautiful property. We are from NJ and a total of 8 women stayed here for 5 days. We also had the pleasure of meeting Cliff, who is such a nice person and really takes pride in keeping this plantation house and grounds up to par. Even though the house is nestled on a hundred acres of woods, it's still relatively close to many attractions. We had a blast going to Bush Gardens, shopping and eating in the town of Smithfield, escaping with 9 minutes to spare from the 'Colonial Escape Room' in Williamsburg, walking the beach at Chippokes State Park, ferry rides and shopping in Williamsburg. Even though we visited other places, the best part was being together at this unique historic plantation house. The character and history behind this property surpasses many other vacation rentals we have stayed at. We hiked around the grounds, cooked meals, relaxed and explored the house and its history. Later in the evenings our vocal point was sitting around the beautiful massive wooden dining room table playing games, having drinks, talking and laughing. What memories we made here!! Thank you Joy and Cliff. The NJ Girls....... Arlene, Beth, Carol, Denise, Denise, Donna, Dora, Mags
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2017