Entire home

The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....

Escape to seclusion amidst wildlife haven. Savor private time by the fireplace or outdoors by one of three firepits.

Photo gallery for The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....

Combined shower/tub, jetted tub, hair dryer, bidet
Property grounds
Interior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 16465 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Breakfast available
  • Washer
  • Hot Tub
  • 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.

The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....

Wild yet serene, the Lodge rests on a hillside adjacent to a 60+ acre wildlife haven with a pond and creek running through. Nestled in a forest near the scenic and historic Brandywine Valley, this retreat affords you all the accoutrements of a mountain lodge, yet is nearby to high-end shopping, historic sites, outstanding restaurants and nightlife in the boroughs of West Chester, Chadds Ford and Kennett Square...

Featured in 2018 Philadelphia Magazine, the Lodge has received accolades! Tom Bury (as seen on Restaurant Impossible and the Stone House Revival series on DIY Network) hosted his 2018 season wrap party here. Tom also built a bespoke king bed in the master suite with 100+ year old reclaimed wood... it is beautiful (and comfortable too).
Rivers Cuomo (lead singer of Weezer) also stayed at the Lodge -- twice during the 2019 Weezer Tour. Others, who wish to remain nameless, have called the Lodge a home away from home.

From the fully stocked professional chef's kitchen to the outdoor hot tub, relaxation and inspiration will be your companion at the Lodge. Enjoy your meals at the dining table in the Great Room with an amazing view of the forest, or al fresco on the deck or screened porch.

With 5 bedrooms (and a sixth private space with 2 twin beds and a full size futon) and 4.5 baths, including a massive master suite with jetted tub, walk in shower and heated marble floors, the Lodge will delight you.. The seclusion and privacy of the property will enhance your experience!

Rejuvenate in the outdoor hot tub and melt away your stress. A large outdoor deck allows for sunbathing and evening conversations around the gas fire pit, or build a bonfire in the second fire pit and eat some s'mores. There is also a third firepit on the screened in porch where you can relax and take in the nature around you, especially soothing while listeing to the rain, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal at the spacious teak dining table.

Take a walk through the woods and commune with nature, where wildlife abounds, including red foxes, red-tailed hawks, groundhogs, white tailed deer, an occasional bald eagle and many other varieties of beautiful and interesting songbirds and woodpeckers.

For entertainment, there are many options:

...The Lounge has an antique pool table, dart board, large fireplace and many classic board games to while away the time.
...The Library is full of antique and contemporary books, many of which are focused on the US Civil War and other topics of American History.
...The Game Room has a ping pong table, an air hockey table, a foosball table and the requisite xBox One for the kids (or kids at heart!).

Check out the listing details for all the amenities.

The Lodge is perfect for more intimate events for up to 50 guests: a family reunion, a murder mystery party, birthday or holiday event. (please inquire for any events as addition fees may apply). If you have an event with more than 50 guests, we are excited to partner with a Michelin star chef (former executive chef at the Waldorf Astoira Hotel) to accommodate your needs. Chef Paul is able to host large events including weddings of up to 100 plus guests, at his beautiful barn in Chester County (please inquire). Chef is also available to design a bespoke menu for you and your guests, and will be your personal chef at the Lodge for smaller occasions of up to 50 guests. Please inquire about any events at the Barn or the Lodge, additional fees will apply. Also upon request we are partnered with an interior designer who will craft beautiful custom floral arrangements, per your desires, at an additional charge.

There is ample parking for up to 10 cars in the driveway near the house. Any additional parking needs during an event will be discussed.

Early check-in may be available for additional fees -- $400 after noon and $200 after 2pm - please inquire about availability. Early check in fees depend on time of check-in and availability. Please inquire prior to check-in.

Late check out is also available for additional fees - $200 until 1pm and $500 until 4pm. Please inquire prior to check-in.

The Lodge is idyllic during a snowstorm with a warm fire, while the autumn leaves changing color add to the beauty of the seasons. Spring brings new growth and late June and early July bring the harvest of the wild raspberries, always a delicious treat!

Plenty of space to get away from the outside world. Stay, relax, rejuvenate....celebrate and enjoy!

Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you soon at the Lodge!

Property manager

Eric B.

Languages

English, German, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub
  • Massages

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Limited onsite parking (max 10 spaces)
  • Onsite parking
  • Car recommended

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Paper towels
  • Kitchen island

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 4 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Towels provided
  • Toilet paper
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Bidet
  • Shampoo

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Dining room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • Pool or billiards table
  • Foosball table
  • Table tennis
  • Arcade/game room
  • Video games
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Stereo
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Note from host: Smoking is permitted outside.

Services and conveniences

  • Chef
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Local meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • On the river
  • In the mountains
  • Near a health or beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near outlet shopping
  • Near a zoo

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Kayak on site
  • Tennis on site
  • Golfing on site
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Cycling 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

  • Unit size: 5000 sq ft (465 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

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

Pets

Pets not allowed
Note from host: No exceptions.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: This property is not child-proofed.

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 50
Note from host: Please indicate event plans -- fees 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
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 recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Where Time Melts Away... Hideaway 5 Wooded Acres Wildlife House
The Lodge at Cricklewood...where Time Melts Away...
Where Time Melts Away... Hideaway 5 Wooded Acres Wildlife
Where Time Melts Away... Hideaway 5 Wooded Acres Wildlife House

About the neighborhood

Map
West Chester, PA

What's nearby

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania - 9 min drive
  • Brandywine River Museum - 10 min drive
  • Chester County Hospital - 13 min drive
  • QVC Studio Park - 15 min drive
  • Longwood Gardens - 18 min drive

Getting around

  • Exton Station - 15 min drive
  • Philadelphia Intl. Airport (PHL) - 30 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Bierhaul - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Texas Roadhouse - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪P.J. Whelihan's Pub + Restaurant - West Chester - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away.... pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away.... located?

This family-friendly West Chester vacation home is located on a river, 2.6 mi (4.1 km) from Cheyney University, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Pipers Way and Baldwin's Book Barn. Chadds Ford Village & Barn Shops and Brandywine Creek are also within 6 mi (10 km).

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The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away.... Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 63 out of 66 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 66 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 66 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 66 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 66 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ajay S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice big place
This was perfect for our needs. Great place. Very big, lots of space to spread out. Hot tub was a nice addition. Eric was great to work with
Stayed 33 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessie N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Hideaway
The only thing wrong was we didn’t book enough days to fully enjoy it! Wonderful property with plenty of space for groups to convene but also plenty of rooms for some quiet time or privacy. Eric was proactive in fixing an issue with the AC before we arrived, welcoming and responsive our questions.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Helen E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place for a family or group
Very nice, private setting.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Amy T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cricklewood Lodge
There was plenty of room for our family stay at the Lodge at Cricklewood, both with bedrooms and living space. Owner was helpful and available. In the country but close to shopping and restaurants. Fall is a great time to be there!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent Stay
We had an excellent stay at the Lodge at Cricklewood. It is a beautiful property, and the owner, Eric, was wonderful. I can't recommend it highly enough. We will definitely be back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Brian C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Five stars
We hosted a 40th birthday party here and it was the perfect spot -- plenty of options for indoor/outdoor activity, great kitchen, and ample privacy. Would definitely stay again. Thanks Eric!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jen M.

Tranquil setting for a girls getaway
Had a great time enjoying the deck and screened porch with 8 girlfriends. Idyllic nature setting.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

DrueAnne S., State College, PA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect location for going to a Longwood Gardens!
This was a great house. Wish we could have stayed longer. I plan on going back with a group of ladies in the future and making sure to get some fire pit and hot tub time in as well as really use the amazing kitchen!!! Our whole group slept well. It was just delightful.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Cara R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Environment for a Multi-Family Trip!
Loved our stay at The Lodge! We had five families come together for one large extended family weekend for a lacrosse tournament and the Lodge was the perfect location for it. Plenty of activities in the game room for kids young and old (air hockey, ping pong, foosball). The property itself feels like a nature retreat, lots of birds and deer to watch and the house has a fun eclectic retro feel. The giant kitchen made family meals a breeze. We highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alexa B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A dream come true
14 of us stayed here for a secluded bachelorette weekend in nature and it was truly a dream come true. The home is beautiful and comfortable for a large group, it didn’t even matter that it rained the entire time! We even canceled some of our day plans to stay and enjoy the house. The only minor down side was the water heater struggled keeping up with 14 woman’s daily hygiene needs. Overall, everything was so wonderful and Eric was very pleasant and accommodating. If you stay here you will never want to leave!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas E., brooklyn

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing home for wedding after party
We had our wedding at oakbourne mansion and this home is conveniently located 6 minutes away. Eric is awesome enough to allow smaller parties at his home. This made our night so much fun and allowed everything to flow smoothly becomes of transit times. Would recommend this to anyone have a wedding there!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Paula O., Bethesda, MD

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect for our needs
This home is huge! Not kidding that there were some rooms that we never stepped foot in because the property is so big and spread out. Was great for gathering inside and out. Kitchen is well supplied and the nature surrounding this home was beautiful— spotted lots of deer and a fox during our stay! Eric was so great to work with. Super responsive and kind.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ryan K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Most Wonderful Weekend
We had the most wonderful weekend imaginable at Eric’s place. The home itself exceeded all expectations and Eric was the best host you could ask for. My now wife and I got married at the courthouse nearby in West Chester and then had an event back at the house afterwards. Eric was so helpful and accommodating throughout the whole process. We had a catered dinner party with 50 of our closest friends/family and it went perfectly. The house is very well suited to host an event of this type and allowed for a truly amazing wedding night. Chef Paul and his team catered the event - the service they provided was incredible and the food was out of this world. The menu he curated was so elegant and had everyone raving. Could not recommend Chef Paul and his team enough for anyone looking to have an event. 12 of our family members then stayed at the home for the remainder of the weekend. The house is so elegantly decorated and cozy, the back deck with fireplace was our favorite place to relax and hang out. The game room was great for the two kids. We really could not have asked for a better weekend and we were all sad it came to end. I highly recommend Eric’s place for an unforgettable stay in West Chester and for anyone looking to host a small gathering - truly perfect. If I could give more than 5 stars I would. I hope to have the opportunity to gather here with family again. Thank you to Eric for helping make our wedding weekend so special and memorable.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alyssa R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was perfect for our party!
We had a family gathering at the lodge and it was perfect. The celebration was weekend long and it fit our whole family of 25 very comfortably. We had 8 people stay at the house the rest came each day for different events and it never felt crowded or that we didn't have enough space. There was plenty of seating both inside and out and the kitchen was fully stocked for making meals for a crowd. The neighborhood is beautiful and quiet and you feel like you're in the woods (while still being conveniently located to West Chester). Highly recommend staying here with a group!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

catherine n.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great for larger groups, excellent manager!
It's a great property, but what stands out is how awesome Eric, the manager, was before and during our stay. We decided to celebrate Thanksgiving in Philly since our freshman college daughter couldn't fly home. Eric helped with our planning, to include informing us that his restaurant would have smoked turkey, brisket, and fixins' available for our holiday meal! (the brisket and turkey were divine!!) The house was perfect--large, well-supplied kitchen, comfortable bedrooms, many areas for my daughter and her friends to hang out-- to watch movies, enjoy the game room, relax by the fire (thank you for all the firewood), and hottub. Eric was quick to respond when we had any questions, we so appreciated his attentiveness. Highly recommend and we'd love to stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Lynn L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
So much space … and the location!! Wow!
If you have a big group, if you want lots of social space, if you want to be inside and out… this is the spot for you!! The kitchen and dining/living spaces are huge and open making it the perfect spot to hang out. The games are an added bonus! The woods are amazing! Eric is so easy to contact and work with. He responds immediately to all questions and even brought me a meat thermometer!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Colleen H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Unique Gem
What a beautiful home! My family stayed here during my son’s wedding. I even worked with the host to coordinate having the groomsmen over prior to the wedding. It was an amazing experience for all. Such a wonderful host with great communication, extremely accommodating and so friendly. Don’t let the house deceive you from the outside; it is extremely spacious inside and so comfortable. An absolutely unique experience. Such a stunning home with tons of history! I would definitely stay here again!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
College Pal Weekend
We rented the Lodge at Cricklewood for an adults-only gathering of college pals to celebrate our collective 40th birthdays. Location was secluded, yet minutes away from grocery stores, restaurants, etc. We barely left, though, because we spent most of the weekend playing pool, ping pong, air hockey, and hanging out in the great room, on the deck, in the hot tub. Sleeping arrangements worked out well and all of the couples felt comfortable and had privacy. On our way home, we were already thinking about returning next year. Eric was a great host, very communicative. We would be happy to work with him again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ryan L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend with kids
We had a 3 day soccer tournament with our 12 year olds. We had 7 adults, one toddler, one 16 year old and five 12 year olds. There was plenty of bathroom and bed space. Kids had great time with hot tub, grass area in yard for volleyball (we brought own stuff for this), fire pit and walking through woods on trails. Indoor game room with ping pong and pool table was great as well. Very private setting at end of a no outlet street. We hosted a team party one night and the outdoor space and wrap around deck and porch was great for this. Kitchen space was good for entertaining as well. Will definitely come back if we are in the area again. Eric was great.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

6/10 Okay

Matt D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy
Beware of additional charges.
It was a nice house that is well maintained but be aware that the sleeping situation pretty much accommodates 12 people and not 16. There is also an additional charge of $75 per person per night for any number of guests over 12, which was not indicated on Vrbo anywhere. This charge is requested through venmo the night before we arrived which was very disappointing.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jake B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a great weekend!
From the moment we stepped into the lodge until we left, we thought this property was excellent and extremely spacious. We had 14 guys get together for a weekend of golf and hanging out and the lodge provided ample space to sleep comfortably. The property itself has quite a lot of character with plenty to do for everyone. There are many places to just sit and watch the world go by or places to play pool and ping pong. The property is just minutes from many different restaurants, bars, golf courses, and places to buy groceries. Eric, the owner, was extremely easy to communicate with and he made sure this property was all set up for us before we checked in. The process was seamless and the instructions for check out were very clear and easy to understand. I would recommend this property to anyone!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Beverly S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Get gathering spot!
This house is amazing for a family and for entertaining! We spent the weekend for my husband's 50th birthday and were able to celebrate with family on Saturday. Sadly it was raining all weekend BUT there was more than enough room for everyone and plenty for us all to do. The kitchen was amazing for entertaining. We loved having the pool table, air hockey, gaming equipment and the TV to keep us occupied. We even got a chance to use the hot tub when there was a break in the rain. The house had everything we could think of, and some stuff we didn't even know we needed! The beds were comfortable and the rooms nice and clean. Eric is a very responsive host and answered any questions I had quickly and kindly. I would recommend staying here with your family or for hosting family and friends!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We are so happy we found this place
We had a 30-person birthday party/family reunion at the Lodge and it served our purposes wonderfully. There were so many different, beautiful, inviting spaces for family to gather and talk, inside and out. The kitchen is very thoroughly appointed and Eric graciously answered every question about what we could expect to find ahead of time. The bedrooms downstairs were surprisingly private and quiet, tucked away at opposite ends of the house, and the upstairs bedrooms were separated from the common areas by a long hallway. We all slept very well, even with night owls and early birds wandering around. The lot and the neighborhood are lovely. Be sure to follow Eric's very well-written instructions for finding the driveway. GPS led some of our guests (who didn't read our email) to another house... But most had no trouble at all. We wish we had had more time to enjoy all of the nooks and crannies for relaxing (our daughter said she never wanted to leave the screened-in dining room with a view of the woods, and sadly no one got to try the hammock in the yard.) We recommend an extended stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sharon E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend Reunion
We had a wonderful 3-day weekend enjoying a small, 30 person family reunion. We wanted a place close to my 92 yr old dad. So all of us flew or drove to the location.12 stayed over nights in the house and the others in nearby hotels. The house was true to the pictures. There was plenty of room for us to spread out and enjoy conversation. The weather forecast was thunder showers for the whole weekend so all the room was great. We did have sunshine part of the time to enjoy the large decks, propane fire pits, and jacuzzi. We didn't have a chance to use the outdoor wood pit due to it being wet. Communication with Eric was great and we were shown around the house upon arrival. The kitchen was well stocked and there were plenty of linens for us.The views of the trees were beautiful and we saw many deer. Parking was ample-we were able to park 10 cars diagonally so everyone was able to move in and out without anyone moving out of the way. The indoor game tables; pool, ping-pong, air hockey, and foosball were in working order and enjoyed. The beds were comfy and bedrooms roomie. The master bedroom and bath were huge. We would definitely rent again. Eric, thank you for letting us host our little reunion because it was the first since 2 years prior to COVID. We loved your home and made many lasting memories!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Vida S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family visiting for a wedding
Everyone in our group thought the house was great and everyone was very comfortable at all times. It was lovely gathering together on the deck around the fire and inside at the fireplace, and there was never ending entertainment for the kids. The big trees, falling leaves and autumn foliage were a beautiful backdrop. Our time together here will be a new happy memory for all of us.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024