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Beach Cottage - James River - America’s 250 Yr Birthday Celebration
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Reviews
9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 566.9 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Surry, VA
- Place, Colonial National Historical Park19 min drive
- Place, Busch Gardens Williamsburg40 min drive
- Place, Water Country USA41 min drive
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 5)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Double Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Single Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Beach Cottage - James River - America’s 250 Yr Birthday Celebration
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House Rules
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
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
Surry
Located in Surry, this cottage is near theme parks and on the beach. Williamsburg Premium Outlets is worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's popular attractions can visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and Bounce House are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hunting and horse riding.

Surry, VA
What's nearby
- Colonial National Historical Park - 19 min drive - 16.6 km
- Jamestown Settlement - 26 min drive - 5.8 km
- College of William and Mary - 32 min drive - 13.5 km
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg - 40 min drive - 23.1 km
- Water Country USA - 41 min drive - 23.8 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Chick-fil-A - 38 min drive
- Starbucks - 37 min drive
- Frothy Moon Brewhouse - 33 min drive
- McDonald's - 36 min drive
- Sushiya - 35 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.6/10
Cleanliness
9.8/10
Check-in
9.8/10
Communication
9.4/10
Location
9.6/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Verified
24 September 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Christy V.
10 September 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Christy V.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Deanna H.
25 March 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming Cottage
Deanna H.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Dr. Timothy H.
2 January 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beach Cottage
Dr. Timothy H.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Allison H.
27 April 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Storybook cottage!



Allison H.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jennifer O.
30 May 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything We Wanted and More!
Jennifer O.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Liv M.
4 May 2017
Unbelievable stay in an enchanted cottage!
Liv M.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2017
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Margaret R.
13 June 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing and wonderful location
Margaret R.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Melissa V.
18 August 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great site on the James River
Melissa V.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Katara C.
17 June 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cutest place ever!
Katara C.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lisa H.
30 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Family Getaway
Lisa H.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Matt S.
20 June 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A great beach weekend!
Matt S.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Elise L.
15 August 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hidden Historic Treasure!
Elise L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Catherine W.
7 August 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely house on the James River
Catherine W.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified
2/10 Terrible
William R.
30 March 2021
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Don't stay here! It's a rip-off.
William R.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Donald R.
20 March 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
River Front Retreat
Donald R.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kathryn B.
20 January 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Historic trip
Kathryn B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2022
Verified
2/10 Terrible
Rachel L.
7 October 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Location, listing accuracy
Let Down
Rachel L.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Miguel C.
23 September 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Vacation Spot
Miguel C.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Terry P.
7 September 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Cottage - Impeccably Appointed
Terry P.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified
8/10 Good
Becky D.
8 August 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gorgeous View
Becky D.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Michael M.
20 July 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay on the beach
Michael M.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Brynn C.
3 April 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely little cottage!
Brynn C.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Reginald G.
24 December 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful Cottage by the James
Reginald G.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sarah B.
3 October 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
wonderful long weekend!
Sarah B.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020
About the host
Hosted by Deena Allen
Why they chose this property
My aunt and uncle purchased this lot in 1948 and built the cottage themselves over the next three years. My mother and father purchased the cottage next door - also in 1948. Another aunt and uncle purchased the lots on the other side of my parents' cottage and built a cottage there (now referred to as the Pink House). We spent most of our summers at these river cottages while children growing up.
Although we have experienced many hurricanes over the past 70 plus years, Hurricane Isabel took her toll on Aunt Annie's cottage and the entire tidewater Virginia area in 2003 when several other waterside cottages and most piers were washed away along with part of the Scotland Wharf ferry structure. Virginia sustained significant damage during Hurricane Isabel with blocked roads, severe coastal and inland flooding, wave surge, and damage, weeks without power and devastated beach communities. Aunt Annie's cottage has been restored since Hurricane Isabel and decorated with a combination of mostly antique and vintage furnishings with heavy hurricane shutters on the waterside to provide protection.
The 1948 items that remain include the original white porcelain farmhouse kitchen sink, the claw foot tub, brass wall sconces in each of the bedrooms, the interior knotty pine paneling walls, the original hardwood floors, and the wooden wall shelves and mirrors in each of the bedrooms handmade by the owner's grandfather. The only furniture in the cottage salvaged from the hurricane are the beautiful cedar four poster bed and dressing table made by Aunt Annie's father in 1950 for her new summer "river cottage." The bed, dressing table and bench continue to reside in the "back'" bedroom now named the "Williamsburg Bedroom." We call the waterside the front of the house should you get confused by my references.
Although we have experienced many hurricanes over the past 70 plus years, Hurricane Isabel took her toll on Aunt Annie's cottage and the entire tidewater Virginia area in 2003 when several other waterside cottages and most piers were washed away along with part of the Scotland Wharf ferry structure. Virginia sustained significant damage during Hurricane Isabel with blocked roads, severe coastal and inland flooding, wave surge, and damage, weeks without power and devastated beach communities. Aunt Annie's cottage has been restored since Hurricane Isabel and decorated with a combination of mostly antique and vintage furnishings with heavy hurricane shutters on the waterside to provide protection.
The 1948 items that remain include the original white porcelain farmhouse kitchen sink, the claw foot tub, brass wall sconces in each of the bedrooms, the interior knotty pine paneling walls, the original hardwood floors, and the wooden wall shelves and mirrors in each of the bedrooms handmade by the owner's grandfather. The only furniture in the cottage salvaged from the hurricane are the beautiful cedar four poster bed and dressing table made by Aunt Annie's father in 1950 for her new summer "river cottage." The bed, dressing table and bench continue to reside in the "back'" bedroom now named the "Williamsburg Bedroom." We call the waterside the front of the house should you get confused by my references.
What makes this property unique
There are only a handful of riverfront cottages for short-term rent on the James River and even fewer with level, direct water and beach access. Our two cottages are the only cottages level with the beach providing "walk out the door" access to the river and beach. Most of the other river front cottages are set high on a bluff or cliff with many steps to climb.
Our cottage is located on land level with the beach and close to Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Busch Gardens, Smithfield and other historic sites including Petersburg and Richmond. Smithfield (about a 30 minute drive) is a great spot for antiquing, shopping. and great food. Our favorite shops are Laura and Lucy's and Wharf Hill Antiques. Smithfield also has several excellent restaurants for lunch or dinner.
If cooking is not on your vacation menu, take the 15 minute ferry ride to The Chickahominy House Restaurant on Jamestown Road about four miles from the ferry pier (on the Jamestown side) for wonderful breakfasts and lunches. Five Forks Cafe, also about five minute drive from the Jamestown Ferry dock, is a great breakfast spot that is good for children. Google both for their menus. I recommend lunch at The Old Chickahominy House Restaurant and prefer Miss Melinda's Special of brunswick stew, Edward's ham biscuits, fruit fruit salad, iced tea, and a slice of homemade pie all for a very special price. The coconut custard pie is out of this world. Call ahead from the ferry and talk to Dan or Maxine (tell them you are on the ferry) and ask to be put on their seating list.
Our cottage is located on land level with the beach and close to Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Busch Gardens, Smithfield and other historic sites including Petersburg and Richmond. Smithfield (about a 30 minute drive) is a great spot for antiquing, shopping. and great food. Our favorite shops are Laura and Lucy's and Wharf Hill Antiques. Smithfield also has several excellent restaurants for lunch or dinner.
If cooking is not on your vacation menu, take the 15 minute ferry ride to The Chickahominy House Restaurant on Jamestown Road about four miles from the ferry pier (on the Jamestown side) for wonderful breakfasts and lunches. Five Forks Cafe, also about five minute drive from the Jamestown Ferry dock, is a great breakfast spot that is good for children. Google both for their menus. I recommend lunch at The Old Chickahominy House Restaurant and prefer Miss Melinda's Special of brunswick stew, Edward's ham biscuits, fruit fruit salad, iced tea, and a slice of homemade pie all for a very special price. The coconut custard pie is out of this world. Call ahead from the ferry and talk to Dan or Maxine (tell them you are on the ferry) and ask to be put on their seating list.
Languages:
English
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