Visiting Annefield? Here’s Where to Stay.

Berry Hill Resort, South Boston, Virginia.

“Where can we stay?”

Southern Virginia is terra incognita to most people, so we have a visitor’s guide that includes a list of accommodations and attractions on our website.  We’ve published this list before, but it seemed time to revise and update it with new additions.  We’ll point out a few of the highlights here — all unique places that are sure to tempt (or perhaps horrify) the adventurous traveler.

This list is organized by distance.  There are a range of choices, from simple motels to the expected bed and breakfast, and one luxury resort, all within 30+/- miles.   We’ve noted dining options convenient to each, and the mileage from Annefield.  There are additional dining options noted on our website if these don’t tempt you.  This list is not comprehensive, so please see our website for additional places.

Diamond Hill (13.4 miles).  Closest to us is  Diamond Hill, which recently opened in the heart of the Charlotte Court House Historic District, offering two guest rooms.  Down the road you will find Mimmo’s Italian Restaurant.  Since they are brand new, no doubt they’ll try harder to please you than many other places.

The Henry House (13.8 miles).  Just up the road (and around the bend) from Diamond Hill is The Henry House Bed & Breakfast in Charlotte Court House.  One of the owners, Paul Masselin, is a graduate  of Les Ecole des Arts et Meitiers, the Swiss Culinary Arts Institute, and on request can prepare dinner for you.  They also have a hot tub.

Sheldon’s Motel (18.5 miles).  During the two years it took to renovate the house, we visited every two or three weeks to meet with the contractor and inspect the work.  We needed an affordable option so our usual place was Sheldon’s Motel in Keysville.  It’s a good, solid clean place; the restaurant serves an excellent breakfast, and the fried chicken is outstanding.  Dinner there is a hearty, simple affair, but if you want something fancier, you’ll have to travel a bit.  Traveling up the road to Farmville would be your best bet, where you will find one of our favorite restaurants,  Charley’s Waterfront Café, serving great food, great beer, and it has an expansive wine list. Spend some time with the bartender and you won’t want to leave.  Very close to Keysville (but not walking distance) is Badeaux’s Cajun Kitchen.  New on the scene is The Fishin’ Pig between Keysville and Farmville, which serves sophisticated and innovative Barbecue, and the homey and the very satisfying and homey Cruis-in Cafe in downtown Keysville.

The Chandler House Bed & Breakfast (25.9 miles).  The Chandler House Bed & Breakfast offers two rooms and an impressive breakfast on the outskirts of South Boston.

Cooper’s Landing Inn (26 miles).  We must not forget Cooper’s Landing Inn & Traveler’s Tavern in Clarksville , with its own restaurant and an idyllic setting in the heart of the Clarksville Historic District.  For something more pub-like, visit The Lamplighter for dinner.

Cage’s Bed & Breakfast (27.4 miles).  In Halifax we have Cage’s Bed & Breakfast, which is walking distance to Molasses Grill in the Mountain Road Historic District.  Just two rooms are available.  We see firsthand a tradition of hospitality here, because this inn is owned by the mother of Barbara Cage, the co-owner of Bistro 1888.

Charles Bass House (27.6 miles).  When the house was being restored we stayed one weekend at this particular charmer, the Charles Bass House Bed & Breakfast in South Boston.   It’s a great location on Main Street near downtown South Boston, with just two suites available  — and a hot tub, if that’s your pleasure.  South Boston’s Bistro 1888 is a 15 minute walk from here.  Dare we ask, what’s with all the hot tubs?

Falkland Farms (29.9 miles).  Another interesting place is Falkland Farms, a plantation and hunting preserve comprised of over 7,600 acres, the largest single tract of privately owned land in Virginia.  You don’t have to shoot things to stay there.  Accommodations include breakfast, but for dinner reservations your best bet is either Halifax or South Boston, where you can find a number of restaurants in addition to those noted in this post.

Berry Hill Resort (31.8 miles).  On the far side of South Boston is Berry Hill, the incomparable Greek-revival style mansion now transformed into a resort.  We’ve written about it in the past — see Our Very Own Parthenon: Berry Hill. Dining options at Berry Hill include the resort’s own restaurant, Carrington’s, which is excellent, and the more casual Darby’s Tavern, located in the mansion’s former kitchen house.  This is without a doubt your most luxurious option for a Southern Virginia wine country weekend.

Longwood Bed & Breakfast (36.7 miles).  High Street, with its turn-of-the-last century palatial houses In Farmville is home to the Longwood Bed & Breakfast.  The house dates from 1880 and has six luxuriously-appointed guest rooms, each with a private bath.  It is a 15-minute walk from Charley’s Waterfront Café,