Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
About this property
Cottage on Historic Property w/ Working Farm - Beautiful Pool & Fire Pit
Retreat Cottage is a private, charming 100 year old one-bedroom cottage located on 120 acres of beautiful farmland, landscaped grounds, and gorgeous woods on historic property on a quiet road. Retreat is a great place to unwind and get away from the hustle and bustle. Please keep in mind that because we are in a remote location, internet and cell service can be spotty, especially with inclement weather.
While we are in a rural location, we are centrally located to a number of wonderful Virginia cities and towns - Richmond is about 40 minutes away, Fredericksburg 45 minutes, Williamsburg and Charlottesville an hour and a half, and DC is about two hours away. We are 15 minutes away from the Kings Dominion amusement park, the Meadowpark summer music venue, and the fall Virginia State Fair.
Retreat Cottage is beautifully appointed - with a mixture of antiques and modern, as well as some whimsy. The cottage is well-maintained and has a living room and dining room and full kitchen, as well as a large bathroom with full sized washer and dryer. There is a sweet bedroom with a queen size bed (if more two people, we do have self inflatable mattresses that can be used in living room for up to two additional people,). There are a front porch and small back screened porch to sit and relax and enjoy the lovely views. The back porch is quiet and sweet and overlooks the barn - and the animals.
The cottage is refreshed with frequency with new sheets, pillows, towels, and other upgrades. It is landscaped and mulched - it is not tired or neglected. Great care has been taken to make your stay comfortable and relaxing - with the hope that you can unwind as much as you may care to.
The Retreat property has more than 80 acres of mature woods, with natural springs, creeks, and walking trails throughout - and an amazing tree canopy as well as remarkable topography. An electric golf cart is made available to you if you want to explore the property. It is parked in front of the cottage when you arrive. If we are available, we can take you on a hayride throughout the property. A hammock is located in front of the cottage which is great for the occasional nap, and the nearby tree has a wonderful wooden swing.
We have cornhole boards if you want to play - just ask, we will bring them out to you! Games are in the cottage for rainy days, as well as books and magazines.
A large, well-maintained fenced outdoor saltwater, inground pool is available for guest use - please coordinate with the owners to reserve hours for use (although, generally, guests have exclusive use). The pool has Frontgate floats and pool noodles, as well as pool toys. The pool is usually open from mid to late April through the end of September.
A large brick and slate fire pit in close proximity to the cottage is for guest use as well - with comfortable Adirondack chairs. Firewood is provided. A Weber grill and charcoal and lighter fluid also are provided.
We are a small working farm. Resident free range chickens roam the grounds. They are very social and sometimes follow you around or sit in your lap. You can always almost count on fresh eggs to be in the refrigerator upon your arrival! You can help collect eggs, feed the hens, and put the hens away at night if you are interested. We love to have guests involved in the farm experience as much or as little as they like.
The owners are raising a small flock of Hog Island Sheep, a critically endangered breed - with only a few hundred registered the world. The largest flock is maintained at Mount Vernon. Our sheep have will begin having their lambs in early Spring 2025. Our flock is protected by Sasha and Pickles, our majestic Great Pyrenees. We also have a few Dexter cows - a breed that was critically endangered, but is now recovering. Three are bred heifers due to have calves Spring 2025.
As an FYI, if booking, vrbo gives guests two options relating to the damage deposit. One is that guests pay a refundable 1,500 deposit which becomes due and is charged to the card before the stay - like a security deposit. If the host has no damage to report after the stay, the charge is reversed from the card. The second option is for guests to pay a 59 non refundable fee that is charged before the stay - through an insurance carrier. The insurance carrier receives the 59 fee and any damage reported by the host is worked out between the host and the insurance company.
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Amenities
Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
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Comet, our cairn terrier, roams the property and will likely visit. He is good with other pets and children.
Our sheep and cows are in fenced pastures with an electric wire on the back base of the bottom fence board to keep out critters. Be mindful of wire.
No swimming at night. Children must be supervised in pool area. No running or diving in pool. Please pick up trash and clean up after use of pool.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Determined on case-by-case basis. Fee may apply.
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
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Aylett
Located in Aylett, this cottage is in a rural area and near theme parks. Lavender Fields Herb Farm and Chamberlayne Actors Theatre are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Hanover Tavern and Cold Harbor Battlefield Park - Garthright House. Kings Dominion and Meadow Event Park are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Hanover County Courthouse - 21 min drive - 31.3 km
Kings Dominion - 22 min drive - 31.9 km
Randolph-Macon College - 27 min drive - 43.2 km
Getting around
Ashland Station - 30 min drive
Richmond, VA (RIC-Richmond Intl.) - 53 min drive
Restaurants
Texas Roadhouse - 18 min drive
Hickory Stick Cafe - 13 min drive
CWR Firewood And Mulch - 14 min drive
Daddy's <333 - 8 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Does Cottage on Historic Property w/ Working Farm - Beautiful Pool & Fire Pit have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Cottage on Historic Property w/ Working Farm - Beautiful Pool & Fire Pit?
As of 27 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cottage on Historic Property w/ Working Farm - Beautiful Pool & Fire Pit on 18 December 2025 start from NZ$303, 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.
Is Cottage on Historic Property w/ Working Farm - Beautiful Pool & Fire Pit pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Cottage on Historic Property w/ Working Farm - Beautiful Pool & Fire Pit?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Cottage on Historic Property w/ Working Farm - Beautiful Pool & Fire Pit?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Cottage on Historic Property w/ Working Farm - Beautiful Pool & Fire Pit?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Cottage on Historic Property w/ Working Farm - Beautiful Pool & Fire Pit located?
Situated in a rural location, this cottage is within 16 miles (25 km) of Mattaponi Springs Golf Club, Meadow Event Park and Hanover Tavern. Kings Dominion and Hanover County Courthouse are also within 20 miles (32 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a wonderfully relaxing stay at the Retreat! The space, the property, and the hosts are gracious, quiet, and behind peaceful. We’ll be back to enjoy another time!
A perfect country farm setting with lots of amenities. The cottage was well equipped for any kind of stay. Farm animals and family pets along with local knowledgeable hosts made our stay very interesting, active, relaxing and comfortable. We have family in the area and this will be our go to spot to stay every time.
We had a wonderful stay at the cottage. The bed was comfortable. The surroundings were peaceful. The cottage was very clean. And the hosts were top notch, there to help without being intrusive. We look forward to returning in the future and seeing this wonderful property and family again. on a side note, we were there for a local dog show but it would be a fabulous retreat for a city family wanting to enjoy the farm lifestyle
My boyfriend & I had an amazing time, we enjoyed being so close the farm animals. The hosts were incredinly kind. We definitely plan on coming back one day.
I love this cottage and all the property that surrounds it. The hiking was wonderful followed by some time relaxing on the screened porch passing time watching farm life. This is our second visit and we will return.
Our stay at this property earns a 10 star review. We can’t say enough about how beautiful this property is. We enjoyed exploring in the woods and fields with our dogs and watching the activity on this small working farm. The cottage itself was clean, comfortable and absolutely charming.
Came out for a friends’ wedding at Malden Hill. The home is adorable and immaculate. We brought our two dogs and they loved seeing the other animals on the farm. Absolutely recommend and will return!
What a lovely place to getaway from the city! The space was clean and just enough space to be cozy and located far enough from the buzz of city life. We enjoyed feeding the farm animals just outside, and we had the privilege of holding a newborn lamb. We would definitely recommend this place for a quiet getaway and we would go back again!
We had a relaxing and fun stay at this property. Janie and her family were very welcoming and made our stay extra special by sharing their knowledge of the area and allowing us to interact with their animals (chickens, sheep and Comet the dog). The cabin was well stocked, clean and comfortable. The grounds were fun to explore, with rare trees and a lot of history. This is truly a hidden gem!
Really beautiful and peaceful. Visiting relatives so didn’t get to spend much time at the site but being there for even a bit filled us with tranquility. I would come back for a week just to soak it in a little more!
A lovely cottage for some true peace and quiet away from the city. The hosts were kind and thoughtful. The bed was extremely comfortable. The shower is built for someone short - so just beware if you are over 5’4” it’s going to require a lot of slouching! Overall, a truly peaceful stay.
Secluded and relaxing getaway. There's a screened in porch perfect for sipping coffee and listening to the wind through the trees, light clucking of chickens and occasional goats and cows saying hello. While the internet likely won't support a bunch of work-related video calls, worked perfectly for phone connectivity + web surfing.
We loved our stay here! Everything was as described and pictured. Kitchen had everything we needed. The owner and son were super nice and accommodating. They answered all our questions and let us feed and interact with the animals. The fresh eggs were great, and we loved the visiting chickens. And there’s nothing like a pool to keep a teen entertained. Truly a great experience. We will definitely be back!
We just love it here! My husband, our 9-year-old daughter and our two dogs have visited three times since April of this year. To say that the host family is incredible is an understatement. Our daughter loves the farm animals and our dogs love their host dog Comet (actually we all do). We look forward to visiting the Cottage Retreat again soon. It’s the perfect getaway!
Our family loved staying on the farm! The kids really enjoyed the riding around on the golf cart and feeding chickens. The pool is so relaxing and our hosts were wonderful.
The property is called The Retreat and it is that! We were looking for the quiet place with the access to the pool and place to walk with our dog and The Retreat provided that and more. This is very beautiful and very well kept property. You can truly relax there. The hosts and their son were wonderful. We loved every minute of our stay there.
My husband, our 9-year-old daughter and our two dogs make our second trip to The Cottage in July. We love it so much we’re coming back in October! Our hosts are incredible—they know just how to make you feel at home. Can’t wait to return in the fall!
This was our 3rd time visiting Retreat since the beginning of the pandemic. If that doesn't speak volumes on its own, I don't know what does! Its a quiet slice of heaven, and perfect for us to get away as a family for a few days. Between the pool and all of the animals to see, we are never at a loss for things to do. As if simple relaxation wasn't enough reason to return, our hosts are nothing short of wonderful. I always look forward to catching up.
We needed to get out of the city for the Fourth and the Retreat fit the bill. Small, lovely house on a working farm surrounded by chickens, sheep and fields. We loved the pool. Our host was attentive to our needs but not intrusive despite being on the property. Would love to visit again for a weekend getaway.
Christopher F.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
About the host
Hosted by Janie Rhoads
We are the grateful stewards of Retreat, a classic Georgian built in 1782, and the surrounding 120 acres of farmland and beautiful woods. We love the property and have endeavored to restore and maintain it thoughtfully and with care.
Why they chose this property
Retreat Cottage is part of the Retreat property, but is located a comfortable distance from the main house. The older part of the main house was built in 1782 and then the front, Georgian section of the house was added in 1808, and the two houses were combined.
Retreat Cottage is about 100 years old and is charming both inside and out, with lovely views of the surrounding property, overlooking a lovely field. The cottage is beautifully decorated and maintained, stocked with most everything you will need, and is a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of more suburban living.
Retreat Cottage is located on the western boundary of King William County and is centrally located to Richmond (35-40 minutes), Fredericksburg (35-40 minutes), D.C. (less than two hours), Tappahannock (35 minutes), and Williamsburg (an hour). Several wedding venues are located in King William County as well, including Seven Springs and Northpoint. Kings Dominion and the Virginia State Fairgrounds are about 20 minutes away.
What makes this property unique
The Retreat property is beautiful and very peaceful. It is a wonderful place for those looking for a country getaway, but is still located relatively close to more urban areas, such as Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Williamsburg.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests